Updated September 2026 · 7 min read
Short answer: A case pack is the full shipping carton a supplier sells (say, 24 units), an inner pack is a smaller bundle inside that case (say, 4 packs of 6), and an “each” is one single sellable unit. When you compare case pack vs inner pack, the question is simply the smallest quantity the supplier will sell you and how it’s bundled.
Getting these terms wrong is one of the most common ordering mistakes new buyers make. You think you ordered 12 mugs and 12 cases show up. Or you order “1” and get a single unit when you wanted a carton.
This guide explains each term, shows how to read them on a line sheet or price list, and walks through the math so you always know what’s coming.
What’s the difference between case pack vs inner pack?
Think of wholesale packaging as nesting boxes. The smallest unit is the each. Eaches are often grouped into inner packs. Inner packs go into a case, sometimes called a master carton. Cases stack onto a pallet.
1
Each: a single unit a shopper buys
6
Example inner pack: a small bundle of eaches
24
Example case pack: 4 inner packs of 6 in one carton
Each (unit)
An each is one item with its own barcode that a shopper can pick up and buy. One candle. One pair of socks. Suppliers sometimes write this as “EA.” Prices on a wholesale price list are usually quoted per each, even when you can’t buy just one.
Inner pack
An inner pack is a smaller group of eaches wrapped or boxed together inside the case. It protects fragile items and makes it easier for stores to buy less than a full case. Suppliers may write it as “IP,” “inner,” or “pack.”
Case pack (master carton)
The case pack is the total number of eaches in one shipping carton. If a case holds 4 inner packs of 6, the case pack is 24. You might see it written as “CP 24,” “24/cs,” or “master pack 24.”
Pallet
A pallet is a stack of cases. You only deal with pallet quantities when you’re buying large volumes. Our guide to standard pallet size and weight covers the dimensions if you get there.
| Term | What it is | Common abbreviations | Who usually buys at this level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Each | One sellable unit | EA, unit, pc | Shoppers; some small-batch wholesale |
| Inner pack | A bundle of eaches inside a case | IP, inner, pk | Small shops that can’t use a full case |
| Case pack | All eaches in one shipping carton | CP, cs, master, ctn | Most retailers |
| Pallet | Many cases stacked and wrapped | PLT, pallet | Larger stores and distributors |
How do you read case pack info on a line sheet?
Line sheets and price lists put a lot into a few columns. Here’s what a typical row might look like, with example numbers:
| Item | Wholesale price | Case pack | Inner pack | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic mug, 12 oz | $6.00 | 24 | 6 | $14.00 |
Read it like this: each mug costs you $6.00. You buy them in multiples of 6 (the inner pack) if the supplier allows it, or 24 (the full case) if they don’t. Always check which one is the minimum. The line sheet or order form usually says “sold in multiples of” or “min qty.”
The cost math
Order cost = price per each × case pack (or inner pack) × number of cases (or inners)
Example: $6.00 × 24 mugs per case × 2 cases = $288.
Same item bought by inner pack: $6.00 × 6 × 3 inners = $108.
If the price is quoted per case instead, divide to get your cost per unit. A $144 case of 24 is $6.00 each. You need that per-unit number to set your retail price.
Why does the difference matter for your store?
The difference between case pack and inner pack affects your cash, your shelf space, and your risk.
- Cash: Smaller packs let you spend less per item and spread your budget across more products.
- Testing: An inner pack lets you test an item without committing to a full case.
- Freight: Full cases usually ship cheaper per unit because they’re packed to travel. Broken cases may cost more to pick and pack.
- Price: Some suppliers charge a little more per each when you buy by the inner pack, or give a discount for full cases.
- Damage: Inner packs add protection, so fragile items often arrive in better shape.
Case pack and inner pack quantities often work together with a supplier’s minimum order. Read what a minimum order quantity is and how to negotiate one to see how the two interact.
How to order the right quantity every time
At a glance: Ordering by the pack
1
Find the sell unit. Is the minimum an each, an inner, or a case?
2
Check the multiple. Order in whole multiples of that unit.
3
Do the math. Units × price per each = line total.
4
Confirm on the PO. Write units and packs so nobody guesses.
Most mix-ups happen on the purchase order. Write quantities two ways, such as “48 units (2 cases of 24).” Our guide on what to include in a purchase order shows a full layout.
Checklist: Before you submit an order
- ✅ Is the price quoted per each or per case?
- ✅ What is the case pack and the inner pack for each item?
- ✅ Can you buy by the inner pack, or only full cases?
- ✅ Is there a price difference between inner and case?
- ✅ Did you write quantities in units and packs on the PO?
- ✅ Did the supplier’s order confirmation match your quantities?
What about barcodes on inner packs and cases?
Under GS1 standards, the barcode system most retailers use, each packaging level can carry its own Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). So the each, the inner, and the case can each have a different barcode. GS1’s rules also say that changing the number of items in a case requires a new GTIN.
For you, this means: scan the each barcode at your register, not the case barcode. If you receive a case and scan the outer carton, your inventory system may count 1 unit instead of 24. Set up your system so the case barcode, if you use it, adds the full case quantity.
Common case pack mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Entering cases as units. You type “2” meaning two cases, and the system reads two mugs. Always confirm the unit of measure on the order form.
- Assuming the price is per case. A $6 case of 24 mugs would be a great deal. It’s almost always $6 per mug.
- Ignoring the inner pack. If a supplier sells by the inner pack of 6, ordering 10 units may get rounded up to 12, or rejected.
- Forgetting receiving. Count eaches when the box arrives, not just cartons. Short-packed cases happen.
FAQ: case packs, inner packs, and eaches
What does case pack 12 mean?
It means one shipping carton holds 12 individual units. If the price is listed per unit, one case costs 12 times that price.
Is an inner pack the same as a minimum order?
Not always. The inner pack is how the product is bundled. The minimum order is the least the supplier will sell you, which might be one inner, one case, or a dollar amount across your whole order.
Can I buy less than a full case pack?
Sometimes. Many suppliers sell by the inner pack for small stores. Others only sell full cases. Ask, and expect a slightly higher per-unit price on broken cases.
What does “sold in multiples of 6” mean?
You must order in groups of 6: 6, 12, 18, and so on. That number is usually the inner pack.
Bottom line
Case pack is the full carton, inner pack is the smaller bundle inside, and each is a single unit. Check which one the supplier sells by, confirm whether the price is per each or per case, and write your quantities in both units and packs. That habit prevents most ordering surprises.
Wholesale Handbook 
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