A cartridge shipping aid is provided to retain staples within staple pockets of a staple cartridge during shipment. The cartridge shipping aid includes a base and a longitudinal rib extending perpendicularly from an underside of the base and indiscernible into a knife slot formed in a staple cartridge. One or more perpendicular keys are formed along a lower edge of the longitudinally extending rib for engagement with an underside surface of the staple cartridge. The cartridge shipping aid may additionally include sidewalls projecting perpendicularly from outer edges of the base. Projections are formed on one end of the base for engagement with associate detents formed on the staple cartridge. Grasping structure is formed adjacent one end of the base and longitudinal rib.