What does Custom Cases cost?

Protective transport and storage enclosures for medical and lab equipment—from foam inserts to fully engineered ATA-compliant systems.

Custom cases for medical equipment range from $500 to $10,000+ depending on complexity, materials, and volume. A standard Pelican 1550 EMS case lists at approximately $520 , while purpose-built lab cases from specialized manufacturers like Wilson Case, operating for over 30 years, require custom design and manufacturing . The widest variance appears between off-the-shelf models (rotomolded hard cases starting under $300) and fully engineered custom designs with EMI/RFI shielding, integrated ramps, motorized lifts, or specialized foam for high-value diagnostic equipment. Final cost hinges on equipment dimensions, material selection (ABS plywood vs. aluminum vs. rotomolded plastic), internal organization complexity, and whether the case must survive military- or medical-grade transport standards.

What the typical range is

Standard hard protective cases— like the Pelican 1550EMS with durable outer shell and customizable foam inserts for EMS professionals —start around $500–$800 at list price for units sized for portable ultrasound, anesthesia kits, or defibrillators. Mid-range custom enclosures with precision-cut foam and basic organizational features run $1,500–$4,000. Large equipment cases or those requiring ATA-compliant designs engineered to shield against impact, vibration, temperature fluctuation and electromagnetic interference typically cost $3,000–$8,000. Equipment that costs $250,000 or more justifies premium case investment to prevent damage.

Very large or architecturally complex cases— protecting items from small hand-held devices to 30,000-pound machines, as offered by Vol Case with over 30 years in the medical field —can exceed $10,000 without integrated mobility features. Pricing typically reflects material type and build method more than brand; GSA Schedule contractors including Pelican and Calzone & Anvil Cases offer government pricing through established federal contracts .

What pushes price up — features, certifications, support tier

Material & Construction: ABS laminated plywood, plastic, and aluminum substrates with precision custom foam inserts cost more than basic polyethylene shells. ATA-300 compliance adds engineering and testing costs .

Design Complexity: Shock mount configuration, interior foam tailored to fragile components, and ram guards to prevent forklift damage; cases with ramps, trap doors, or mechanical lifts for heavy equipment significantly increase cost. Precision CNC-cut foam for exact fit, EMI/RFI shielding for MRI transport, or specialized endoscopy equipment securing commands premium pricing.

Regulatory Compliance: Cases engineered to meet ASTM standards and International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures requirements carry higher manufacturing overhead.

Lead Time & Service: Quick turnaround times of around two weeks with storage options may incur expedite fees. Extended warranties or designer consultation (CAD modeling, site visits) add $500–$2,000.

Customization Depth: Engineers using SolidWorks CAD to design cases, with machines that cut materials with accuracy to the thousandth of an inch , cost more than catalog configurations.

What pushes price down — refurbished, older generation, lease, GPO contracts

Off-the-Shelf Stock: Buying unmodified standard cases (no custom foam inserts) from distributors is 30–50% cheaper than bespoke designs. NANUK offers 31 standardized case sizes with lower per-unit cost than one-off engineering.

Refurbished Equipment: Used or refurbished Pelican cases can cost four times less than new equivalents , though warranty coverage may be limited.

Volume Discounts: Procurement of 10+ units for a hospital system typically enables 15–30% GPO or direct negotiation discounts. GSA Multiple Award Schedule allows approved vendors to offer goods at pre-negotiated prices, removing time-consuming bid processes .

Simpler Materials: Soft cases (nylon, EVA) or lightweight plastic molded designs cost 40–60% less than aluminum-framed ATA cases but offer less impact protection.

Leasing Models: Some manufacturers offer rental or lease-to-own programs for temporary equipment deployments, spreading cost over 3–5 years rather than a single capital outlay.

Hidden costs — install, training, calibration, consumables, service contracts

Design & Engineering: Submitting equipment blueprints for designers to create 3D CAD models and quote the final case is often free if you proceed with a purchase, but some firms charge $200–$500 for detailed design reviews.

Foam Insert Replacement: Custom foam inserts degrade with repeated use and UV exposure. Replacement foam kits run $150–$1,000 depending on complexity; some manufacturers charge per-insert pricing.

Labeling & Branding: Silk screening, stencils, and metal or card plate labeling options add $50–$300 per case.

Shipping: Custom cases are heavy and often oversized. Freight-in costs can range $100–$500 per case; include this in your total cost of ownership calculation.

Maintenance & Conditioning: Antimicrobial foam is a popular choice for medical environments , but regular cleaning with approved disinfectants may be required. Some hospital protocols mandate pressure testing or gasket replacement annually ($75–$200/case).

Service Contracts: Limited lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship defects is common, but extended coverage (damage from drops, repairs after 5 years) typically costs 10–15% of the case purchase price annually.

How to negotiate — concrete tactics

1. Request multiple quotes from at least three suppliers. Emphasize volume (if procuring fleet cases) and timeline flexibility to encourage price concessions.

2. Bundle design fees with purchase commitment. Negotiate free CAD design in exchange for committing to 5+ cases upfront.

3. Ask for GSA pricing even if you're not a government buyer. Many manufacturers apply GSA rates to institutional healthcare buyers; state, local, and federal government entities qualify for immediate pricing discounts by applying for GSA status .

4. Specify exact equipment dimensions and weight. Vague requests lead to over-engineered (expensive) designs. Provide CAD files or detailed schematics to lock in pricing.

5. Negotiate consumables pricing upfront. Lock in foam replacement costs and spare gasket pricing for 3–5 years as part of the initial contract.

6. Benchmark against used-equipment markets. If the new-case cost exceeds $5,000 for standard sizes, compare against certified refurbished units. Used equivalents can be significantly cheaper .

7. Request trial cases or samples before committing to large orders. A $500–$1,000 sample buy protects against fit or durability surprises on 20+ units.

When the price feels off — red flags

• Quote includes no design phase: Legitimate custom-case manufacturers conduct design reviews. A quote issued in under 48 hours without drawings is likely a generic estimate.

• "Lifetime warranty" with no coverage definition: Legitimate limited lifetime warranties cover material and workmanship defects upon arrival, with clearly defined repair or replacement terms . Vague terms often exclude damage from misuse, water, or age.

• No lead time specified: Reputable manufacturers state turnaround clearly (e.g., 10–15 weeks for fully custom cases). Quoting "fast" without a date suggests capacity constraints or outsourcing delays.

• Foam inserts not mentioned as replaceable: Cases are only as good as their interior cushioning. If the supplier doesn't offer foam refill kits, replacement becomes proprietary and expensive.

• Price significantly below market (>50% discount) without volume justification: Undercutting may indicate cheaper materials, less rigorous design, or a going-out-of-business scenario with no post-sale support.

• No mention of standards compliance: If your equipment is regulated (diagnostic imaging, anesthesia cart), ensure the supplier references ATA-300, ASTM, or industry-specific certification in the quote.

Sources

Bound Tree Medical (Pelican 1550 EMS list pricing, $519.99)

Wilson Case: custom lab case design and manufacturing, 30+ years, over 85% custom work

Calzone & Anvil Case Co.: ATA-compliant medical equipment cases, EMI/RFI shielding, U.S. manufacturer

Vol Case & Container: 30+ years in medical equipment crating, 2-week turnaround

Pelican Products GSA Schedule 84 (GS-07F-9216S) and Schedule 81 (GS-15F-0019M) pricing; Hardigg/Pelican Cage Code 11214

Calzone & Anvil GSA Schedule contracts, serving U.S. Government since the 1970s

NANUK: 31 case sizes, made in Canada, lifetime limited warranty

Note: MedSource does not yet have aggregate marketplace quote data for custom cases. This article reflects list prices, GSA published rates, and secondary-market retail quotes as of May 2026. Pricing will be updated as procurement quotes accrue. For institutional purchases over $3,000, always request a formal quote rather than relying on published list prices.