The problem is, their space to storage efficiency is quite low compared to reinforced chests, which are learned at a lower tier.
Make a large or even medium crate.
Fill that same space with reinforced chests.
One offers significantly more storage/footprint.

If crates are going to remain so inefficient, they should be unlocked when one learns the Box Maker feat.
After all, they are only boxes.

In many ways, they are like awnings ( including thatch, but discluding Flotsam, required Lev: 41 and must already know Master Mason and Carpenter Bench), something of minor function at best, that should be easy to make, but is instead gated as higher level content for no discernable reason.

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