[LETTERHEAD OF BALLARD SPAHR ANDREWS & INGERSOLL APPEARS HERE]

                                                   October 9, 1996

Corporate Express, Inc.
325 Interlocken Parkway
Broomfield, Colorada  80021

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as your counsel in connection with the proposed issuance of 
shares of common stock in connection with the proposed merger (the "Merger") 
pursuant to which Bevo Acquisition Corp., Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of 
Corporate Express, Inc. (the "Company"), will be merged with and into United 
TransNet, Inc. and pursuant to which United TransNet, Inc. will become a wholly 
owned subsidiary of the Company, as more fully described in the Registration 
Statement on Form S-4, as amended (Registration No. 333-13217), and filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended.

     In this connection, we have examined and relied upon such corporate records
and other documents, instruments and certificates and have made such other 
investigation as we deemed appropriate as the basis for the opinion set forth 
below.

     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares of common 
stock to be issued by you have been duly authorized and, when duly executed, 
delivered and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Merger, and upon 
satisfaction of all applicable conditions, will be duly and validly issued, 
fully paid and nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement and to the reference to the firm under the caption "Legal
Matters"" in the Prospectus forming a part thereof.

                                      Very truly yours,



                                      /s/ Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll