Kraft Paper Courier Bags: When They Beat Plastic Polybags

More fashion brands in India are switching from grey plastic courier bags to brown kraft paper mailers. Customers notice the change, and it fits a more eco-friendly brand story. But paper is not a straight swap for plastic. Here's where kraft paper courier bags work, and where they don't.

What is a kraft paper courier bag?

A kraft courier bag is a flat mailer made from kraft paper, the strong brown paper also used in cement sacks and carry bags. Courier versions have a self-adhesive flap, often tamper-evident, and some have a second tear strip so the customer can open it neatly and reuse it for a return.

Kraft paper vs plastic polybag

	Kraft paper courier bag	Plastic polybag
Look and feel	Premium, natural	Functional
Water resistance	Low to medium; can soak in heavy rain	High
Tear and puncture	Good against tearing; weak when wet	Stretches; can puncture on sharp corners
Recycling in India	Easy; paper is widely collected	Possible for clean LDPE, but collection is patchier
Cost per piece	Higher	Lower
Weight	Slightly heavier	Lighter
GST	18% (paper bags under 4819)	18% (plastic packing articles under 3923)

Products that suit kraft courier bags

• Clothing in an inner garment bag: t-shirts, shirts, kurtis, denim
• Books and stationery
• Accessories in their own box: wallets, belts, sunglasses
• Brand and gifting orders where the unboxing matters

Avoid kraft mailers for liquids, cosmetics that can leak, sharp or heavy items, and anything that can't survive getting damp unless it's in a sealed inner bag.

Myntra and kraft courier bags

Myntra uses branded recyclable kraft paper courier bags for many fashion orders. MarkRTD stocks Myntra branded kraft paper courier bags in 8×11, 10×12, 11×14 and 13×15 inch. Myntra's packaging rules are set through Myntra Seller University and your account team, so check there for which orders need them. MarkRTD is an independent supplier and is not part of Myntra.

Sizes

Kraft mailers are sized like polybags: width × length in inches, without the flap. Paper doesn't stretch, so allow a little more margin than you would with plastic. Measure the packed product and add its thickness plus about 1.5 inches to each side. Check with the polybag size calculator and add the extra half inch.

Making kraft bags work in the monsoon

• Always use a sealed inner garment bag, so the product stays dry even if the mailer gets damp.
• Stick the label flat and away from the flap; damp paper can make labels lift.
• For routes with heavy rain, consider plastic bags for those months or those pincodes.

Is a kraft bag "eco-friendly"?

Paper is easier to recycle in India and is made from a renewable material. But it also uses more material by weight, and a paper mailer with a plastic inner bag still contains plastic. The honest claim is "recyclable paper outer packaging", not "plastic-free", unless the whole pack is plastic-free. More on this in recyclable ecommerce packaging and sustainable packaging for online sellers.

Want kraft courier bags printed with your own brand? Ask for a custom order quote.