Have you come to a point in your LEGO journey where you’ve amassed a good number of LEGO sets, built them, and now have their boxes lying around? Or maybe you have a habit of keeping things that take up a lot of space—maybe even too much?
Maybe those boxes are for older sets that will never be reproduced again, and it’s your last chance to keep a piece of LEGO history as they’re retired from shelves.
At this point, you might be wondering whether to keep them, toss them, recycle them, or ask the big question:
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Are LEGO Set Boxes Valuable?
The short answer is yes—LEGO set boxes can be worth something, depending on their condition. Boxes from more popular or retired sets tend to be more valuable than those from less notable ones.
Recent boxes can also hold some value, but not everyone will be willing to pay enough to cover the shipping cost.
LEGO boxes are especially valuable to people who threw away theirs and now regret it, or to those trying to sell a complete set but no longer have the original packaging. Selling LEGO sets with the box and original stickers intact can significantly increase the value.
In some cases, LEGO boxes and instructions can even be worth more than the loose bricks if you ever decide to break your sets down and sell them.
How To Sell Empty LEGO Boxes
Don’t like the idea of tossing LEGO boxes into a landfill or recycling bin, especially when they brought you so much joy? You can try selling them!
It’s not always easy, but places like BrickLink and auction sites like eBay are good platforms to sell empty LEGO set boxes.
BrickLink lets vendors sell original LEGO boxes. It’s one of the best places for this, and it even provides a price guide based on recent sales. Just keep in mind that the price will depend on:
- Condition of the box
- Your seller reputation
- How long are you willing to wait
Once you’re ready, you can list your boxes on BrickLink or eBay. You can get a general idea of pricing by checking past sales of sets with and without boxes.
Selling one box at a time can be slow. Volume is low, and unless you have a strong seller reputation, not all your listings will move. On platforms like Craigslist or eBay, you might be able to sell them all at once, but you’ll probably make less money doing so.
You may even attract BrickLink resellers who buy in bulk at a lower price to resell later, so be prepared for lower offers.
Shipping costs are another challenge. A lot of people either don’t check or underestimate shipping fees. This alone can kill your sale.
Also, be very clear in your listing that it’s only an empty box. Some buyers may not read closely and later complain that the set isn’t included.
How Much Are LEGO Boxes Worth?
It varies. The value of a LEGO box depends on:
- Popularity of the set
- Whether it’s discontinued or rare
- The condition of the box
- The buyer’s intent (collector vs reseller)
Someone actively hunting for a box from a favorite set may pay a premium. A casual shopper may not.
What should I do With My LEGO Boxes?
You have several options:
- Sell them for extra cash
- Recycle or toss them to free up space
- Keep them if they bring you joy or if you plan to resell the sets later
Boxes can add value to your used LEGO sets, especially if they’re rare or in excellent condition.
If you decide to keep them but want to save space, you can flatten and store them in plastic bins or black trash bags in the attic (to protect the box art from fading).
Avoid storing instructions in the attic. Instead, stack them in a dark closet or a non-transparent container. Heat and acidity can make instruction manuals yellow and brittle over time.
Are Old LEGO Boxes Worth Anything?
Yes. Old and popular LEGO boxes are usually worth more than newer and less popular ones. You might think your old boxes are junk, but many are actually more sought after—and sell faster—than new ones.
