QXS2 Smooth Wall Foil Container
QXS2 compact smooth wall aluminum foil container for appetizers, side dishes, individual meals, bakery portions, airline catering, and takeaway food programs. The 184 x 126mm format holds 800ml with a shallower 42mm profile for clean presentation, efficient stacking, freezing, reheating, and branded retail display. Custom color, printing, lids, and export packaging support are available for qualified B2B orders. MOQ from 20,000 units; typical production lead time is 2-3 months after order confirmation.
TOP OUT: 184 x 126mm
BOTTOM: 156 x 100mm
HEIGHT: 42mm
VOLUME: 800ml
Indicative starting price: from USD 0.04 per piece. Final quote depends on size, thickness, order quantity, lid type, printing and packing requirements.
Description
Compact Smooth Wall Aluminum Foil Container
This compact smooth wall container page helps B2B buyers compare size, material, lid fit, MOQ, custom options, and export packing before requesting a quote from Qixin.
compact smooth wall container specifications for wholesale buyers
184×126mm · 800ml capacity · Shallowest format in the smooth wall range for airline trays, desserts, and display
Shallow airline-tray format for maximum food visibility and compact stacking
At 184×126mm with 42mm depth and 800ml capacity, the QXS2 is the shallowest compact smooth wall container in the range — 13mm shallower than the QXS1 at virtually the same footprint. The reduced depth is the defining characteristic: it makes this format the natural choice for airline meal service, chilled dessert retail, and any application where food must be visible through a film lid or where tray stacking height is constrained. The smooth wall surface provides complete print coverage for branding on a compact, elegant format. Oven safe to 220°C; freezer safe to −20°C.
Shallowest in range
42mm — airline tray standard depth
Maximum food visibility
Low profile showcases food under film lid
Compact stacking
Shallower height reduces storage and transport volume
Smooth wall finish
Full-surface print coverage up to 9 colors
Where this compact smooth wall container works best
The QXS2 and QXS1 share almost identical footprints (184×126mm vs 184×127mm) but differ by 13mm in depth — 42mm vs 55mm. That single dimension determines everything about their respective applications. The QXS1’s extra depth suits dishes that build volume vertically: rice, pasta, sauced mains. The compact smooth wall container format of the QXS2 is optimised for shallow applications where the food surface, not the depth, is the primary concern. For a full overview of the smooth wall range, see our smooth wall container wholesale guide.
Airline Meal Service
The 42mm depth matches the standard airline meal tray insert specification used by economy and business class catering globally. Airlines require shallow containers to fit within galley tray dimensions while maximising the number of meal units per trolley row. The QXS2’s compact footprint (184×126mm) fits the standard airline meal tray grid with minimal clearance. The smooth wall surface supports full-color airline branding and meal identification printing. The aluminum construction retains temperature through the oven-to-trolley-to-passenger service cycle. See our airline catering container guide.
Chilled Dessert Retail
Supermarket chilled dessert counters and café grab-and-go displays use the shallow format because customers buy with their eyes — tiramisu, panna cotta, mousse, and fruit tarts all need to be seen, not inferred. At 42mm depth with a clear film lid, the QXS2 puts the entire dessert surface in the customer’s line of sight. The smooth wall construction provides the clean, professional appearance that premium dessert retail requires. The compact 800ml volume is the correct single-serve dessert portion for retail pricing. See our commercial bakery container guide.
Sushi & Raw Food Display
Sushi trays, sashimi platters, and raw food displays require shallow containment where the food arrangement is the product. The QXS2’s 42mm depth provides just enough containment to hold nigiri, rolls, and garnish in place without obscuring the visual arrangement from above. Compatible with heat-seal film lids that keep refrigerated sushi fresh for chilled retail and grab-and-go takeout. The smooth wall surface provides a clean neutral backdrop that does not compete with the food’s visual presentation. Read our food delivery container guide.
Meal Kit Side Components
Meal kit subscriptions use the QXS2 format for pre-portioned accompaniments and sauce components that accompany larger main containers — a 800ml shallow tray of roasted cherry tomatoes, a measured portion of herb butter, or a grain salad base. The shallow depth prevents sauce components from being buried under lids and simplifies visual identification when customers unpack their delivery box. The compact 184×126mm footprint stacks efficiently alongside QXS3 main containers in insulated delivery packaging. See our meal prep container guide.
Tasting Menu & Amuse-Bouche Service
High-end catering and restaurant tasting menus increasingly use branded aluminum containers for cold-start courses and amuse-bouche delivery — the disposable format eliminates returns logistics while the smooth wall surface carries the restaurant’s brand identity directly to the guest. The 800ml shallow volume is correctly proportioned for a 2–3 bite appetizer course or small side presentation. The QXS2’s shallow profile allows food to be plated at table-height without the container wall dominating the visual. See our custom containers for restaurants guide.
Premium Brand Shallow-Format Retail
For premium retail brands, the compact smooth wall container format presents a distinctive alternative to the standard deeper takeout box — the low profile communicates restraint and precision rather than bulk, which aligns with premium portion positioning. Displayed face-up in chilled retail cases, the full 184×126mm smooth surface is visible: logo, cuisine origin, and preparation notes can all sit cleanly on the print area without competing with excessive container height. Up to 9-color Pantone printing available. The shallow format also produces less packaging material per unit, which supports sustainability claims. See our custom container design guide and foil printing solutions.
Size comparison for compact smooth wall container buyers
Not sure if this is the right size? Here is how the QXS2 sits within our full smooth wall container range. The shaded row is this product. For a full overview, see our aluminum container sizes guide.
| Model | Dimensions | Height | Volume | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QXS1 | 184×127mm | 55mm | 1,000ml | Single-serve deep main — rice, pasta, sauced dishes |
| QXS2 ◀ You are here | 184×126mm | 42mm | 800ml | Shallowest format — airline tray, dessert retail, sushi display |
| QXS3 | 220×149mm | 43mm | 1,200ml | Standard takeout main, rice bowls, curry, 1–2 people |
| QXS4 | 248×185mm | 73mm | 3,600ml | Deepest format — stews, braises, layered pasta, 5–6 people |
| QXS5 | 331×225mm | 57mm | 3,650ml | Wide shallow batch — tray bakes, buffet, 4–6 people |
| QXS6 | 369×270mm | 55mm | 4,700ml | Largest volume, banquet and institutional catering, 6–8 people |
| QXS7 | 340×188mm | 44mm | 2,300ml | Elongated format — bread, baguettes, side-by-side plating |
| QXS8 | 378×188mm | 44mm | 2,700ml | Widest format, heavy duty bulk prep, 4–6 people |
Wholesale compact smooth wall container orders
MOQ
From 20,000 units per order
Lead time
2–3 months from order confirmation
Custom print
Up to 9 colors on smooth wall surface, Pantone matched
Certifications
FDA · ISO 9001 · Kosher · SGS · GMP
Compact Smooth Wall Container questions
What foods work best in this compact smooth wall container?
Best for airline meal mains, chilled desserts, sushi trays, appetizers, and any food where surface visibility matters. The 42mm shallow depth showcases food under film lids. For deeper sauced mains and rice dishes, use QXS1 (55mm) or QXS3 (43mm, wider) instead.
What is the difference between QXS2 and QXS1?
QXS2 (184×126mm, 42mm, 800ml) and QXS1 (184×127mm, 55mm, 1,000ml) have almost identical footprints but differ by 13mm in depth and 200ml in volume. Choose QXS2 for shallow display food — desserts, airline trays, sushi. Choose QXS1 for deeper single-serve mains where the extra volume and depth are needed.
Can I bake in this shallow aluminum container?
Yes, oven safe to 220°C (428°F). Remove lids before baking. Shallow containers cook faster than deep ones — check food 10–15 minutes earlier than standard recipes suggest. Do not use in microwave.
How much food goes in the 800ml container?
Fill to 650ml (81%) for solid foods and desserts. Fill to 600ml (75%) for sauced items. The shallow format spreads food across the base rather than building height — leave space at the top for garnish and visual presentation.
What lids fit the 184×126mm container?
184×126mm heat-seal film lids for maximum food visibility and leak resistance — the preferred choice for dessert retail and airline service. Aluminum lids also available for hot-hold applications.
Is this compact smooth wall container safe for hot food?
Yes, FDA approved food-grade aluminum is safe for hot foods including airline meal service temperatures. Avoid storing acidic dishes in the container for more than 48 hours after cooking.
Material comparison for compact smooth wall container sourcing
At the same 184×126mm shallow single-serve format, here is how aluminum foil compares to common alternatives for airline catering and dessert retail. For a full safety analysis, see our aluminum vs plastic food safety guide.
| Feature | Aluminum Foil | Plastic (PP) | Melamine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oven safe | ✅ Up to 220°C | ❌ Not suitable | ❌ Not suitable |
| Disposable | ✅ Single use | ✅ Single use | ❌ Reusable, heavy, breakable |
| Airline approved | ✅ Industry standard | ⚠️ Used but declining | ❌ Too heavy per trolley |
| Custom print | ✅ Up to 9 colors | ✅ Label | ⚠️ Mold color only |
| Food visibility | ✅ With film lid | ✅ With clear lid | ❌ Opaque |
| Recyclable | ✅ 100% aluminum | ⚠️ Varies by type | ❌ Not recyclable |
| Certifications | FDA / SGS / Kosher / GMP | FDA (varies) | FDA (varies by grade) |
Part of our smooth wall foil container series. Compatible with 184×126mm film lids and aluminum lids. Read our wholesale supplier guide or learn more at FDA Food Safety Guidelines.
