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The Complete Guide to Corrugated Carton Box Fluting in Singapore: E, B, C, EB & BC Compared

  • Dec 5, 2025
  • 4 min read

Your guide to choosing the right corrugated carton box fluting for your business,

When choosing corrugated carton boxes in Singapore, the biggest mistake most businesses make is assuming that all carton boxes are the same. In reality, the fluting inside the cardboard — the wavy layer sandwiched between liners — determines everything from strength to rigidity to shock absorption.

At CL Packaging, we help businesses choose the correct corrugated flute type for their products so they can ship confidently, reduce damage rates, and optimise cost. This guide breaks down the most common fluting types used across Singapore: E-flute, B-flute, C-flute, EB and BC double flutes — and when you should use each one.


What Is Corrugated Fluting — and Why It Matters

Corrugated fluting is the middle layer that creates the “strength” of a carton box. It affects:

  • Crush resistance

  • Stackability

  • Shock absorption

  • Surface smoothness (for printing)

  • Weight of the box

  • Cost of packaging

Choosing the right flute ensures your packaging is strong enough to protect your products, but not unnecessarily heavy or expensive.


The Main Types of Corrugated Fluting in Singapore

Below is a breakdown of the most widely used flutes in the Singapore packaging industry — including the exact strengths, best uses, and advantages.

1. E-Flute (≈1.2mm – 1.5mm thick)

Best for: Retail packaging · Cosmetics · Electronics accessories · Food packaging

Key Features:

  • Thin and lightweight

  • Excellent printability

  • Provides good cushioning for small, lighter items

Why Businesses Choose E-Flute:

  • Sleek and premium appearance

  • Ideal for small retail cartons

  • Great for brands needing crisp printing and branding


2. B-Flute (≈2.5mm – 3mm thick)

Best for: E-commerce packaging · General shipping · Food delivery boxes

Key Features:

  • Stronger than E-flute

  • Good crush resistance

  • One of the most commonly used flutes in Singapore

Why Businesses Choose B-Flute:

  • A good balance between strength and cost

  • Suitable for most single-wall shipping cartons

  • Performs well for local courier delivery


3. C-Flute (≈3.5mm – 4mm thick)

Best for: Bulkier items · Fragile products · Industrial packaging

Key Features:

  • Thicker and more shock-absorbent

  • Better stacking strength compared to B-flute

Why Businesses Choose C-Flute:

  • Excellent for products needing extra cushioning

  • Ideal for items that may face rough handling

  • Often used in retail appliances and industrial goods


Double-Wall Fluting: EB vs BC

For businesses shipping heavier items or needing high durability, double-wall corrugated boxes combine two different flutes into one structure.

1. EB Double Flute (E + B)

Best for: Premium shipping · Electronics · Export packaging

Key Features:

  • Thin but very strong

  • Smooth printing surface (due to E-flute)

  • Added strength (from B-flute beneath)

Why Businesses Choose EB:

  • Strong but not bulky

  • Ideal for premium unboxing experiences

  • Protects fragile and mid-weight products


2. BC Double Flute (B + C)

Best for: Heavy, fragile, or bulky items · Warehousing · International shipments

Key Features:

  • High stacking strength

  • Exceptional shock absorption

  • The strongest commonly used double-wall combination

Why Businesses Choose BC:

  • Used for large, bulky, or heavy items

  • Ideal for export, long-distance shipping, and pallet shipments

  • Reduces risk of puncture and crushing


Corrugated Flute Comparison Table (At a Glance)

Flute Type

Thickness

Strength

Print Quality

Best For

E-Flute

Thin (1.2–1.5mm)

Light

Excellent

Retail boxes, cosmetics, food packaging

B-Flute

Medium (2.5–3mm)

Strong

Good

E-commerce shipping, F&B delivery

C-Flute

Thick (3.5–4mm)

Stronger

Moderate

Fragile/bulky items

EB Double Flute

Medium-Strong

Very strong

Smooth

Electronics, premium packaging

BC Double Flute

Thick/Heavy

Extremely strong

Moderate

Industrial goods, heavy items, export


How to Choose the Right Flute for Your Packaging

Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

1. Product Fragility

  • High fragility → C-flute, EB, or BC

  • Low fragility → E-flute or B-flute

2. Product Weight

  • Heavy items → BC double wall

  • Medium items → B-flute or EB

  • Light items → E-flute

3. Branding & Print Quality

  • Crisp, high-definition printing → E-flute or EB

4. Shipping Distance

  • Local Singapore delivery → B-flute

  • International / high handling → BC

5. Budget

  • Cost-friendly → B-flute

  • Premium feel → E-flute or EB


Why Fluting Matters for Singapore Businesses

Singapore’s logistics environment is fast, dense, and competitive. Using the right fluting:

  • Reduces product damage

  • Prevents crushing during courier handling

  • Improves stacking during warehousing

  • Enhances customer unboxing experiences

  • Optimizes shipping cost vs protection balance

With the right carton specs, businesses save money on returns, reduce wastage, and deliver a better customer experience.


FAQs About Corrugated Carton Box Fluting in Singapore

Q1: Which flute is best for shipping cartons?

Most Singapore brands use B-flute for e-commerce and BC double wall for heavier items.

Q2: Which flute has the best printing results?

E-flute and EB double flute offer the smoothest surface for high-quality prints.

Q3: Are double-wall boxes necessary for local deliveries?

For heavy, fragile, or bulky items — yes. For light products, single-wall is sufficient.

Q4: Can I customize my fluting type?

Yes — CL Packaging offers custom sizing, fluting choices, thickness options, and printed branding for bulk enquiries (above 10,000 boxes).


Conclusion

Choosing the right corrugated fluting is one of the most important decisions in your packaging strategy. Whether you need E-flute for premium retail, B-flute for everyday shipping, or BC double wall for industrial strength, the right structure ensures your products arrive safely and your brand looks professional.

At CL Packaging, we help businesses across Singapore find the perfect corrugated box for their products — balancing strength, cost, and brand requirements.

Looking for reliable corrugated carton boxes in Singapore? Explore CL Packaging’s range of carton boxes — or speak with us for a customised solution built around your products.

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