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FEFCO 0200

Half-Slotted Container (HSC)

Available in a wide range of custom configurations & material selection.
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Product details

Top highlights

Open top provides instant access for fast packing and order picking
Needs external tape, glue, or stitching to seal the bottom flaps
Often paired with a separate lid to create a full telescopic box

About this product

The Half-Slotted Container (HSC) is a standard corrugated box built without top flaps. It provides a flat, sealable bottom and a completely open top, making it useful for situations requiring immediate access to the contents without cutting tape or folding back cardboard.

Because it uses less material than a standard shipping box, the HSC is a practical choice for bulk storage bins, in-plant transit trays, and retail displays. It also serves as the foundation for telescopic packaging when paired with a matching lid.

Common uses

Base or lid components for two-piece telescopic box sets.
High-volume order picking bins on warehouse shelves.
In-plant component transit between manufacturing stations.
Retail shelf-ready display trays.

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Telescopic bases, bulk storage, and fast-access picking

Telescopic box components

The HSC is frequently used as the base or the lid in a two-piece telescopic set. This allows the overall height of the package to adjust to mixed payloads while providing double-wall protection where the two pieces overlap.

High-volume order picking

When used as bins on warehouse shelves, the open top allows pickers to grab items instantly without navigating top flaps. This speeds up fulfillment for fast-moving goods.

In-plant component transit

For moving parts between assembly stations, the HSC serves as a durable tray. It works well when dust protection is secondary to fast, repeated physical access on the factory floor.

Retail shelf-ready displays

The box provides a sturdy base tray that holds product upright on the retail shelf. It is often shipped on a pallet with a separate protective shroud that is removed before display.

Warehouse, retail, and in-plant manufacturing setups

Fulfillment centers

High-volume packing lines appreciate the lack of top flaps for volume-reduction systems. The box can be filled, cut down to the exact product height, and capped with an automated lid to eliminate void fill.

Automotive and industrial parts

Heavy-wall HSCs serve as durable, open-access bins for dense metal components. The flat bottom handles the weight, while the open top allows for easy crane or manual loading.

Retail distribution

Distributors rely on the HSC to transition smoothly from a palletized transit tray to a customer-facing display without requiring store staff to cut away top panels.

When to compare closed-top or heavy-duty alternatives

Standalone parcel shipping

If the box will travel through standard courier networks, compare the Regular Slotted Container (FEFCO 0201). The HSC lacks top flaps, leaving the product exposed and removing the top lateral support required to survive rough handling.

High base strength for heavy drops

If packing very dense items that risk breaking through the bottom, compare the Full Overlap Box (FEFCO 0203). A full overlap design provides double-wall thickness across the entire floor for maximum security.

Close variants and lookalike dielines

The closest library neighbors include 0201, 0201b, 0202a. Use this as a variant check if a buyer brings an old code, sample, or dieline that looks close. The deciding details are usually the lock, slot, closure, wall build, part count, or fold sequence.

Board thickness, base sealing, and slot clearances

Base sealing method

The bottom flaps must be secured by the packing team. Decide whether the line will use standard packing tape, hot-melt glue, or heavy-duty metal stitching, as this affects the packing labor required.

Board grade and vertical strength

Because the open top removes lateral support, the side walls bear all vertical compression. If these boxes will be stacked high without lids, a heavier board grade is usually necessary to prevent the walls from bending.

Slot width for double-wall board

If specifying thick double-wall corrugated, the slots between the bottom flaps must be widened. Standard slots can cause thick flaps to bind and resist folding, slowing down manual assembly.

Interior print surfaces

Because the top is open, the interior walls are clearly visible to the end-user. If the box is used for retail display, consider whether the inside liner should be printed or bleached white to improve presentation.

Adjusting flap overlaps, panel sequences, and ventilation

Flap overlap modifications

The major bottom flaps normally meet in the center. For heavier loads or specific taping equipment, these flaps can be extended to partially or fully overlap, increasing the rigidity of the base.

Hand holes and ventilation

The flat side panels easily accommodate die-cut hand holes for manual carrying or ventilation slots for agricultural and perishable goods.

Telescopic lid sizing

When pairing an HSC with a lid, the lid's internal dimensions must account for the base box's external dimensions plus the thickness of the board to ensure a smooth sliding fit.

Board and packing details

Pallet density and flat delivery

The factory glues the side seam and delivers the box as a knocked-down flat tube. Without top flaps, these blanks nest efficiently, maximizing the number of boxes stored on a single pallet.

Template variants for thick board and factory routing

Alternative panel sequence (0200a)

Shifts the flat layout to start with a width panel instead of a length panel. This changes where the glue flap attaches, which can optimize production speed on certain factory folder-gluer machines.

Explicit slot tuning (0200b)

A parameterized version specifically designed for heavy double-wall board. It explicitly widens the base slots to prevent thick cardboard from binding when the flaps are folded inward.

Additional notes

Internal clearance for telescopic lids

If using this box as the inner base of a telescopic set, the external dimensions of this base dictate the internal dimensions of the lid. Board thickness must be carefully calculated to prevent the lid from fitting too tightly or falling off.

Print surfaces on open bins

FAQs

Closure and Sealing

How is the bottom of the Half-Slotted Container secured?

The bottom features two minor and two major flaps that fold inward. These must be sealed externally using packing tape, hot-melt glue, or industrial metal stitching depending on the payload weight.

Shipping and Route

Can an open-top HSC be shipped through standard parcel networks?

Sending an open-top box through standard courier networks exposes the contents and compromises the box's crush resistance. For parcel delivery, the HSC must be paired with a secure lid or placed inside a master shipper.

Stacking and Storage

How does the lack of top flaps affect stacking strength?

Top flaps normally provide lateral support that keeps the side walls square. Without them, the top edges are more vulnerable to inward or outward bowing under heavy vertical compression. If stacking open HSCs, a heavier board grade may be necessary to compensate.

Board and Material

What happens if thick double-wall board is used for this box?

Thick corrugated board requires wider slots between the bottom flaps. If standard single-wall slot dimensions are used on double-wall board, the flaps will bind and resist folding. The slot clearances must be adjusted to ensure smooth assembly.

Production and Assembly

How is this box delivered to the packing facility?

The manufacturer glues or stitches the side joint and presses the box flat. It arrives as a knocked-down flat tube. The packing team opens the flat box into a rectangle, folds the bottom flaps, and applies the base seal.

Related Packaging

When should a Full Overlap (FOL) base be chosen instead of this standard HSC base?

If packing extremely heavy, dense items like metal hardware or industrial liquids, a Full Overlap base provides a double layer of corrugated board across the entire floor, reducing the risk of the bottom sagging or breaking open.

Inserts and Product Fit

How does the open top affect internal partitions?

Without top flaps to hold them down, internal partitions or dividers can shift upward during transit if the box is inverted or jolted. If using dividers, consider pairing the box with a lid or using a partition design that locks into the base.

Print and Finish

Can the inside of the box be printed?

Because the top is open, the interior walls are clearly visible. For retail display applications, the inside liner is often printed or bleached white to improve presentation.