QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 10.55

United Stationers Inc. Summary of Board of Directors Compensation

        Following is a summary of the forms and levels of compensation to be
provided to Directors during 2004.

Director Compensation Component

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  2004 Amount

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annual Retainer   $50,000 annual rate1
Board Meeting Fees2
 
  • In person   $2,000 per meeting • Telephonic   $1,000 per meeting
Committee Meeting Fees
 
 
• Held in connection with a Board meeting
or by teleconference

 
  — Audit Committee Chairman   $1,500 per meeting — Other Committee Chairmen  
$1,000 per meeting — Other non-employee members   $500 per meeting
• In-person meeting not held in
connection with a Board meeting

 
  — All Chairmen   $1,500 per meeting — Other non-employee members   $1,000 per
meeting
Equity Compensation
 
  • Chairman of the Board   Approximately $85,000 (6,000-share stock option
grant in 2004) • Other non-Employee directors   Approximately $71,000
(5,000-share stock option grant in 2004)
Reimbursement
 
Reasonable travel-related expenses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1Rate effective for the third quarter of 2004.

2Fees effective for meetings on and after July 27, 2004.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QuickLinks

Exhibit 10.55

United Stationers Inc. Summary of Board of Directors Compensation