an elongate , rectangular box and method for packaging containers , wherein the box can be cross - stacked for stable stacking of the boxes , and optimizes utilization of pallet space . containers are placed in the box in nested , offset relationship in a parallelogram shaped arrangement , and in one embodiment interior corner panels extend angularly across two diagonally opposite corners of the box , defining an interior box shape closely conforming to the parallelogram - shaped arrangement of the containers . the corner panels may be cut from the side walls and folded inwardly and secured at a free edge to an adjacent end wall , defining openings in the side wall through which the containers are visible . side wall segments at the bottom and sides of the opening , in cooperation with the corner panels , retain the containers in place in the box . the box is especially suited for packaging four one - gallon containers .