# North American box styles: RSC, HSC and FOL

> Compare common North American corrugated terminology and open the matching box configuration.

Canonical: https://dielinemaker.com/standards/north-american-box-styles
Last updated: 2026-10-26

RSC, HSC, OSC and FOL describe flap arrangements used in North American corrugated packaging. Identify the construction before comparing quotations or matching it to a FEFCO drawing.

AICC is an industry association, not a substitute for a box drawing. An ambiguous ASCC reference needs its original publication; do not treat it as a verified independent style-code system.

## Box names and closure differences

The Fibre Box Association hosts transport classification material describing these constructions. The short names do not supply dimensions or material performance.

| Reference | What it means | Design use |
| --- | --- | --- |
| RSC | Regular slotted container; outer flaps meet. | Use for a conventional closed shipping case. |
| HSC | Half-slotted container; one set of flaps. | Plan open access or a separately specified cover. |
| OSC | Overlap slotted container; outer flaps overlap. | Specify the intended overlap, not just the abbreviation. |
| FOL | Full-overlap slotted container. | Review the complete overlap and sealing stack. |
| FPF | Five-panel folder, wrapped around the product. | A useful construction to compare for long articles. |

## Translate a brief without losing details

Supply a dimensioned drawing when translating between a supplier’s terminology and FEFCO. State whether a cover is included and how the case is joined and sealed.

AICC represents independent packaging businesses. Historical FEFCO/ESBO references should be checked against the publisher’s codebook rather than relabelled as an AICC or ASCC code.

## Related editable templates

- [Regular slotted shipping box](https://dielinemaker.com/dielines/shipping-box--rsc-ecom) (dieline) — Start with this exact RSC recipe; confirm board grade, closure and packed-product fit. [Open in editor](https://dielinemaker.com/create?style=shipping-box&preset=rsc-ecom)
- [HSC open-top box](https://dielinemaker.com/dielines/shipping-box--rsc-hsc) (dieline) — Opens the half-slotted preset, not the default closed RSC. [Open in editor](https://dielinemaker.com/create?style=shipping-box&preset=rsc-hsc)
- [Overlap slotted box](https://dielinemaker.com/dielines/overlap-slotted-box--osc-stapled) (dieline) — Review the joint and flap overlap. [Open in editor](https://dielinemaker.com/create?style=overlap-slotted-box&preset=osc-stapled)
- [Five-panel folder](https://dielinemaker.com/dielines/five-panel-folder--fpf-rail) (dieline) — A wraparound starting point for a long product. [Open in editor](https://dielinemaker.com/create?style=five-panel-folder&preset=fpf-rail)

## Common questions

### Is HSC a complete closed pack?

The native HSC body has an open top. Specify and validate a cover separately when needed.

### Is AICC a universal numbered box catalog?

AICC is the Independent Packaging Association. Use a specific construction drawing or published style reference for the box identity.

## Sources and further reading

- [Fibre Box Association: container construction descriptions](https://www.fibrebox.org/assets/2025/08/NMFTA_-Items.pdf)
- [AICC: association and resources](https://www.aiccbox.org/)
- [AD Incorporated: carton styles](https://adinc.us.com/carton-styles/)
- [FEFCO: official code and 12th edition](https://www.fefco.org/technical-information/fefco-code)

## Related

- [FEFCO box codes and corrugated styles](https://dielinemaker.com/standards/fefco-codes)
- [Converter style libraries and supplier dielines](https://dielinemaker.com/standards/converter-style-libraries)
- [ISTA 3A and Amazon packaging tests](https://dielinemaker.com/standards/ista-test-procedures)
- [All packaging standards](https://dielinemaker.com/standards)
- [Use a supplier dieline](https://dielinemaker.com/learn/supplier-dielines)