Packaging for Pharmaceutical Companies in India: Complete Guide 2026

The pharmaceutical sector is one of India's largest and most regulated industries. India exports pharmaceutical products worth over USD 25 billion annually and supplies medicines to over 200 countries. Every unit that leaves a pharmaceutical facility — whether a blister pack, a vial, a tablet strip, or a bulk API shipment — needs packaging that meets both domestic and international quality standards.

This guide covers everything pharmaceutical companies, distributors, and contract manufacturers need to know about packaging materials — from primary packaging to secondary and tertiary packaging, with specific focus on what India's pharmaceutical businesses actually need and source.

---

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Packaging in Pharma

Pharmaceutical packaging is divided into three levels:

Primary packaging is in direct contact with the product — blister packs, bottles, ampoules, sachets. This is regulated by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and requires specific material approvals.

Secondary packaging is the outer carton or box that contains the primary pack — typically a mono carton or corrugated shipper box. This is what pharmaceutical companies source from general packaging suppliers.

Tertiary packaging is the bulk transport packaging — corrugated master shipper boxes, wooden crates, pallets, and stretch film — used for warehouse storage and logistics.

Upackarts supplies secondary and tertiary pharmaceutical packaging from Pune with delivery across India.

---

Corrugated Boxes for Pharmaceutical Secondary Packaging

Mono Cartons and Shipper Boxes

For secondary pharmaceutical packaging, the corrugated shipper box is the most widely used format. These are 3-ply or 5-ply corrugated boxes that contain 10 to 100 primary units (blister strips, bottles, sachets) and are dispatched to distributors, hospitals, and retail pharmacies.

Key specifications for pharma shipper boxes:

Burst Factor: Minimum 14 BF for 3-ply, minimum 20 BF for 5-ply. Pharmaceutical shipper boxes are stacked 4 to 6 high in warehouses — the box must handle compressive load without collapsing.

Moisture resistance: Pharmaceutical products are moisture-sensitive. Corrugated boxes used in pharma should have water-resistant liner paper or inner LDPE lining for products stored in humid conditions or cold chain.

Print compliance: Shipper boxes must display batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, storage conditions, and manufacturer details — either pre-printed or label-applied. Pre-printed custom corrugated boxes are available from Upackarts with minimum order quantities starting from 500 units.

Size standardisation: Pharmaceutical companies typically standardise on 3 to 5 shipper box sizes covering their full product range. Standard sizes reduce inventory management complexity and improve warehouse space utilisation.

5-Ply Heavy Duty Boxes for Bulk API and Chemical Shipments

Bulk Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and pharmaceutical chemicals are shipped in heavy-duty 5-ply or 7-ply corrugated boxes with inner HDPE liner bags for moisture protection. These shipments often go by road freight between manufacturing hubs in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Baddi.

For API exports going by sea freight, wooden export crates with inner moisture barriers are used for large consignments.

---

Foam Inserts and Cushioning for Pharmaceutical Packaging

Fragile pharmaceutical items — glass vials, ampoules, diagnostic kits, medical devices — require foam cushioning inside the shipper box to prevent breakage during transport.

EPE foam inserts are the standard solution. Options include:

Die-cut foam inserts: Custom-shaped foam pieces that hold individual vials or bottles in a fixed position inside the shipper box. No movement equals no breakage.

Foam sheet lining: 10mm EPE foam sheet placed on the base and top of the shipper box. Simpler than die-cuts and effective for products in rigid primary packaging.

Anti-static foam: For pharmaceutical electronic devices, diagnostics equipment, and IoT health devices — anti-static ESD foam prevents electrostatic discharge damage.

---

Tamper-Evident Packaging

CDSCO regulations and Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules require tamper-evident packaging for certain pharmaceutical products. For secondary packaging, BOPP tamper-evident tape applied over the shipper box seal is the standard approach.

BOPP packing tape leaves a clear tamper-evident residue on the box surface if the tape is peeled — making it impossible to open and reseal without visible evidence.

---

Cold Chain Packaging

Temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products — biologics, vaccines, insulin, certain diagnostics — require cold chain packaging that maintains 2 to 8 degrees Celsius or -20 degrees Celsius during transport.

Cold chain packaging materials include EPS (Styrofoam) insulated boxes, phase change material (PCM) gel packs, and aluminium foil lining for corrugated shipper boxes. While Upackarts specialises in standard corrugated and protective packaging, we can supply foam sheet material for pharma customers who manufacture their own insulated liners.

---

Silica Gel Desiccant for Pharmaceutical Packaging

Moisture is the enemy of most pharmaceutical products. Silica gel desiccant packets placed inside sealed corrugated shipper boxes absorb ambient moisture during storage and transport — extending shelf life and preventing product degradation.

Pharmaceutical-grade silica gel sachets are available in 1g, 2g, 3g, 5g, and 10g sizes. The quantity required depends on the internal volume of the shipper box and the storage duration.

Standard recommendation: 1 silica gel unit per 500ml of internal box volume for products stored at room temperature. For humid environments or monsoon season dispatch, double the quantity.

Upackarts Silica Gel Packets: upackarts.in/products/silica-gel-packets-packaging/

---

Stretch Film and PP Strapping for Pharma Pallets

Pharmaceutical pallets dispatched from manufacturing plants to C&F agents and distributors across India are secured with stretch film and PP strapping before loading.

Stretch film wrapping: 3 to 4 layers from base to top of the pallet, securing individual shipper boxes to the pallet and providing a moisture-resistant outer layer.

PP strapping: Two horizontal bands around the pallet width at the lower third and upper third position. This prevents pallet toppling during transit.

Angle boards: Placed at the four corners of the pallet stack before PP strapping to prevent the strapping from cutting into the corrugated shipper boxes.

Upackarts PP Straps and Clips: upackarts.in/products/pp-straps-clips/

Upackarts Stretch Film: upackarts.in/products/stretch-film/

Upackarts Angle Boards: upackarts.in/products/angle-boards/

---

Packaging Standards Relevant to Indian Pharma Companies

Schedule M (Good Manufacturing Practices): Specifies packaging area requirements, packaging material testing, and batch documentation.

IS 2771: Indian Standard for corrugated fibreboard boxes — specifies burst strength, compression strength, and dimensional tolerances.

CDSCO Packaging Guidelines: Cover tamper-evidence requirements, labelling standards, and material safety for direct-contact packaging.

ICH Q1A: Stability testing guidelines that specify packaging requirements for pharmaceutical stability studies — relevant for export-oriented pharma companies.

---

Products from Upackarts for Pharmaceutical Packaging

3-Ply Corrugated Boxes: upackarts.in/products/3-ply-corrugated-boxes/

5-Ply Heavy Duty Corrugated Boxes: upackarts.in/products/5-ply-heavy-duty-corrugated-boxes/

Custom Printed Corrugated Boxes: upackarts.in/products/custom-printed-corrugated-boxes/

Foam Sheets and Rolls: upackarts.in/products/foam-sheets-rolls/

Silica Gel Packets: upackarts.in/products/silica-gel-packets-packaging/

BOPP Packing Tapes: upackarts.in/products/bopp-packing-tapes/

PP Straps and Clips: upackarts.in/products/pp-straps-clips/

Stretch Film: upackarts.in/products/stretch-film/

Angle Boards: upackarts.in/products/angle-boards/

GST invoice on every order. GSTIN: 27AEPPU5724A1ZB. Delivery within 3 to 4 working days. WhatsApp +91-88560-64045 for bulk pricing.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of corrugated box is used for pharmaceutical packaging?

For pharmaceutical secondary packaging, 3-ply corrugated boxes with a minimum burst factor of 14 BF are standard for lightweight products. For heavier bulk shipments of APIs and chemicals, 5-ply double-wall boxes with minimum 20 BF are required. For export pharmaceutical shipments by sea freight, 7-ply or wooden export crates are used.

Is silica gel required inside pharmaceutical packaging?

Yes, for most pharmaceutical products. Moisture causes degradation, reduced potency, and microbial growth. Silica gel desiccant packets are placed inside sealed shipper boxes to absorb ambient moisture. Quantity: 1 unit per 500ml of internal box volume at minimum.

What is tamper-evident packaging for pharmaceuticals?

Tamper-evident packaging shows visible signs of opening if someone tries to access the contents. For corrugated shipper boxes, BOPP security tape that leaves a residue pattern on both the tape and the box surface when peeled is the standard tamper-evident solution.

Can I get custom printed corrugated boxes for pharmaceutical use?

Yes. Upackarts supplies custom printed corrugated boxes with your brand name, product details, batch information fields, storage conditions, and handling instructions. Minimum order: 500 units for custom printing. WhatsApp +91-88560-64045 for specifications and pricing.