Stop Explaining Box Designs: How the FEFCO Code Solves Your Biggest Communication Problem

Hi! This is KUMIBOX.

Day to day, we support designers by digging through specifications and standards to find ideal solutions. Today, however, we’re stepping out of our role to talk to you as a colleague from the industry.

The FEFCO Catalogue: Why This Code is the COMMON LANGUAGE of the Packaging Industry

“I need a regular slotted container.” “Which one? An overlap? A telescopic box?” Before we waste half an hour defining what a “regular box” is, you just need to say one thing: “FEFCO 0201”.

The answer lies in standardization. The FEFCO code is the international language of the corrugated packaging industry.

1. What is the FEFCO Code?

Simply put, the FEFCO Code is an internationally recognized system for classifying corrugated packaging designs. It was developed in the 1960s by FEFCO (European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers) and ESBO to avoid misunderstandings when communicating in different languages.

In practice: It’s a four-digit symbol (e.g., 0201, 0427, 0713) assigned to a specific, universal packaging design. Instead of sending complex descriptions and drawings, you just provide the code, and every manufacturer knows exactly which construction is needed.

Why it matters: It simplifies identification, speeds up quotes, and eliminates errors in orders. It’s the foundation of communication between the designer, production, and the client.

2. The Main FEFCO Code Categories

The FEFCO catalogue groups designs into series, each with specific characteristics. Here are the most important ones:

0100 Series: Commercial rolls and sheets.
0200 Series: Slotted boxes (e.g., the classic RSC – FEFCO 0201). Usually one piece with top and bottom flaps.
0300 Series: Telescopic boxes. Consist of more than one piece (e.g., lid and bottom) fitting over each other.
0400 Series: Folder boxes and trays. Usually made from one piece of board, the bottom is hinged to form walls and the cover.
0500 Series: Slide boxes. Consist of several pieces (liners and sleeves) sliding into each other.
0600 Series: Rigid boxes. Consist of two separate end pieces and a body, requiring stitching or a similar operation.
0700 Series: Ready-glued cases. Usually one-piece, shipped flat and ready to use by simple assembly.
0900 Series: Interior fitments (liners, pads, partitions, dividers, etc.).

3. It’s More Than Just a Number

The FEFCO code isn’t just about boxes. It also defines how dimensions are specified (internally by default: Length (L) x Width (W) x Height (H)), line symbols (solid for cutting, dashed for creasing), and even jointing methods (e.g., glued, stitched).

4. The Catch — FEFCO Code Isn’t Everything

The code FEFCO 0201 alone doesn’t define the most important thing: strength . It tells us how the box is built, but not what it’s made of.

It doesn’t specify the board type (e.g., 3-ply or 5-ply).
It doesn’t define the paper composition (e.g., Kraftliner or Testliner).
It doesn’t specify the strength (e.g., ECT or BCT).

Ordering a “FEFCO 0201” without a board specification (e.g., “B-flute, 450 g/m², ECT 5.5 kN/m”) is incomplete.

That’s a recipe for misunderstanding.

5. How to Use It

As designers, we use the FEFCO catalogue as a starting point. It’s our ‘alphabet.’ It allows us to instantly establish the basic construction with the client.

Only then do we apply our engineering knowledge to this base: selecting the right flute profile, grammage, and raw material to ensure the packaging meets specific strength and logistical requirements.

Try CalcPack →

Remember: FEFCO is the language we speak. Strength (ECT/BCT) is the message we convey with it.

Stay strong!

— The KUMIBOX Team