a package for containing a coil of wire having an outer cylindrical surface extending about a coil axis , a top and an oppositely facing bottom has a base for supporting the bottom of a wire coil when the wire coil is in the package . at least one side wall extends upwardly from the base about an outer cylindrical surface of the wire coil and has an upper edge defining a top opening in the package for removing the wire . the packaging further includes a hold - down bar between the bottom of the wire coil and the base which is transverse to the axis of the wire coil , and a lifting strap having a first end , a second end and a base portion between the first and second ends and between the bottom of the wire and the base . the base portion has an opening and the hold - down bar extends through the opening .