What is the typical per-box rate for document storage?

The average cost per standard archive box in the UK ranges from around 5p to 25p per box per week, with mid-range providers typically charging between 10p and 18p per box per week.

Are there additional charges beyond the per-box rate?

Yes, common additional charges include initial collection and intake fees, retrieval charges per item requested, delivery charges, permanent withdrawal fees, and secure destruction costs when documents reach end of retention.

What Is the Average Cost Per Box for Off-Site Document Storage?

Q: What size is a standard archive box?

A standard archive box typically measures around 15 x 12 x 10 inches and holds roughly 2,500 sheets of A4 paper or around four lever arch files.

Understanding per-box pricing is essential when budgeting for off-site document storage. This guide breaks down the typical costs UK businesses can expect and what influences the price you will pay.

What Is the Typical Per-Box Rate?

The average cost per standard archive box in the UK ranges from around 5p to 25p per box per week. The wide range reflects differences in provider quality, security level, location and contract terms. A mid-range provider with good security and tracking will typically charge between 10p and 18p per box per week.

What Size Is a Standard Archive Box?

Most providers price based on a standard archive box, which typically measures around 15 x 12 x 10 inches. These hold roughly 2,500 sheets of A4 paper or around four lever arch files. If your documents are in non-standard containers, providers may charge differently or supply their own boxes.

What Affects the Per-Box Price?

Volume — storing 500 boxes will cost less per box than storing 50
Contract length — longer commitments often attract lower rates
Security tier — standard warehouse storage costs less than secure vault storage
Location — London and the South East tend to charge more than other regions
Services included — some quotes include collection, cataloguing and box supply, while others charge separately

Are There Additional Charges to Consider?

The per-box rate is your ongoing storage cost, but there are often additional charges to factor in:

Initial collection and intake — a one-off charge for collecting and processing your boxes
Retrieval charges — each time you request a box or file, typically charged per item
Delivery charges — standard, next-day or same-day delivery options at different price points
Permanent withdrawal — returning boxes to you at the end of storage
Secure destruction — shredding documents when they reach end of retention

How to Compare Quotes Fairly

When comparing per-box rates between providers, make sure you are comparing like for like. A lower per-box rate might come with higher retrieval charges or exclude collection costs. Ask each provider for a fully itemised quote that covers your expected usage pattern — including how often you will need to retrieve files.

How EvaStore Pricing Works

At EvaStore, we provide transparent, fully itemised quotes with no hidden charges. Our per-box rates are competitive and include full barcode tracking powered by O’Neil software, ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified storage, and flexible retrieval options. Whether you need to store 50 boxes or 50,000, we tailor our pricing to your specific requirements.

Get a Free Quote

The best way to find out what this will cost for your business is to get in touch with our team. We will provide a clear, no-obligation quote — usually within the same day.

Call us on 01691 650355 or use the form below.