The work aims to find out the key factors affecting the use of the foldable containers for the empty container transportation problem involving the standard containers and the foldable containers. The total transportation cost of standard and foldable containers was compared by mixed integer nonlinear programming and the factors affecting the use of folding boxes were analyzed by the key factor analysis method. Influencing factors included unfolding/folding equipment installation costs, transportation costs, rental costs and storage costs. Transportation cost was a key factor affecting the use of folding containers. When the transportation cost increased by 30%～50%, the total transportation cost of foldable containers in empty container transportation increased by 16.92%, 22.37% and 27.37%, while the total cost of transportation without foldable containers increased by 22.48%, 28.67% and 34.60%. The use of foldable containers is affected by many factors, and it is more economical to use foldable containers under certain conditions.