Shipping clothes, whether for personal use, resale, or international deliveries, can seem complicated at first. But with the right steps, it’s simple, cost-effective, and fast. Whether you’re mailing used clothes, shipping high-end formal wear, or sending clothing parcels for your business, following these guidelines will ensure a hassle-free process.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about clothing shipping, from packing tips to choosing the best shipping service, like SFL Worldwide, which offers up to 70% off major carriers.
Prep to Ship Clothes: What You’ll Need
Before you start packing, it’s essential to have the right supplies. Proper packaging ensures your clothes arrive in good condition, whether you’re shipping across the country or handling international shipping of clothes. Here’s what you need:
Materials for Shipping Clothes:
- Boxes or Poly Mailers: For smaller items, poly mailers are lightweight and cheap. For bulk shipments, use sturdy corrugated boxes.
- Hangers: If using a wardrobe box for formal or delicate items, hangers will keep clothes in better condition.
- Plastic Garment Bags: Protect delicate fabrics, such as wedding dresses, with clear plastic garment bags to avoid dirt or moisture.
- Acid-Free Tissue Paper: This is important for wrapping formal or delicate clothing to prevent damage.
- Packing Tape: Ensure you have strong packing tape, at least 2 inches wide, to secure the boxes.
- Bubble Wrap or Packing Peanuts: These materials help prevent clothes from shifting in the box and reduce wrinkling.
- Labels: Always mark the contents and destination clearly, especially for larger shipments like clothes parcels.
Steps to Ship Clothes
Shipping clothes requires more than just stuffing items into a box. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your clothes ship efficiently and safely:
1. Select the Right Packaging
Choosing the correct box or mailer is essential. Too big, and you’ll spend extra on shipping; too small, and your clothes may get wrinkled or damaged. Opt for a box that fits your items snugly.
- Poly Mailers: Ideal for small clothing items like t-shirts or hoodies.
- Corrugated Boxes: Use these for bulk shipments or heavier items like jeans and jackets.
2. Fold Clothes Properly
Proper folding is important to prevent wrinkles:
- Shirts, Hoodies, and Jackets: Lay flat, fold the sleeves inward, and fold the body in thirds.
- Pants and Jeans: Fold from knees to pockets, then in half. Smooth out the fabric to avoid creasing.
- Formal Wear: Delicate fabrics require special care. Place acid-free tissue paper between layers to avoid damage.
3. Protect Delicate Items
If you’re mailing used clothes or shipping expensive items like a wedding dress, use acid-free tissue paper or a muslin cloth to protect the fabric. Place these in clear plastic garment bags for extra protection.
4. Pack the Box or Mailer
If you’re shipping multiple items, stack them neatly inside the box. Use bubble wrap or packing peanuts to fill any empty spaces. This prevents the clothes from moving during transit, which can cause wrinkling or damage.
5. Seal and Label the Package
Secure the package using the H-taping method: apply three strips of tape to each seam for a stronghold. Place the shipping label on the top of the box and ensure it’s clearly marked.
6. Choose Your Shipping Service
Consider whether you need cheap and fast shipping clothes or if you’re sending clothing overseas and require international shipping of clothes. Always choose a reliable service with tracking options.
How to Ship with a Wardrobe Box?
A wardrobe box is the best option when moving a large number of clothes or valuable garments. These boxes come with a built-in rod, allowing you to hang your clothes just like in a closet.
Steps for Using a Wardrobe Box:
- Assemble the Box: Follow the instructions to assemble the wardrobe box. Tape the bottom securely using the H-taping method.
- Hang Clothes: Place items like dresses, suits, or jackets on hangers. Button and zip up clothes to keep them in place.
- Pack the Bottom: You can add shoes, hats, or accessories to the bottom of the box, but avoid packing heavy items that could damage the hanging clothes.
- Seal and Label the Box: After closing the top, tape all the seams securely, and label the box clearly.
Wardrobe boxes are ideal for keeping formal wear wrinkle-free and making unpacking easier.
How to Ship Casual Clothes?
For casual clothing, such as t-shirts, jeans, or hoodies, shipping is simpler, but it still requires proper packing to avoid damage and extra costs.
Steps for Shipping Casual Clothes:
- Choose the Right Packaging: For single items, poly mailers are cheap and effective. For multiple items, use a box that fits the clothes snugly to avoid extra space that could increase shipping costs.
- Fold Properly: As mentioned earlier, fold shirts by placing the sleeves back and folding the body in thirds. Fold pants and jeans from knees to pockets and smooth out wrinkles.
- Protect the Clothes: Use a plastic bag or a polybag to add an extra layer of protection against dirt or moisture.
- Fill the Box: Use bubble wrap or packing peanuts to fill any gaps in the box, preventing clothes from moving during shipping.
- Seal and Label: Secure the package with strong tape, and label it with the shipping details.
How to Ship a Wedding Dress
Formal wear, especially wedding dresses, requires special care when shipping. These garments are delicate and often expensive, making proper packing important.
Steps for Shipping Wedding Dresses and Formal Wear:
- Select the Right Box: Choose a sturdy corrugated box that’s large enough for the dress but not too big, which could cause the garment to shift during shipping.
- Wrap the Dress: Use acid-free tissue paper or muslin cloth to wrap the dress, placing the material between the layers of fabric to prevent damage.
- Fold Carefully: Fold the dress gently, taking care not to bunch or crush the fabric. For a dress with a train, fold the sides inward and roll it up carefully.
- Protect the Dress: Place the dress inside a clear plastic garment bag for extra protection.
- Pack and Seal: Add bubble wrap or packing peanuts to prevent the dress from moving in the box. Seal the box securely and label it clearly with “Wedding Dress” if applicable.
- Choose Express Shipping: For peace of mind, consider express shipping to ensure the dress arrives on time and in perfect condition.
Tips for Shipping Clothes
Here are some additional tips to make sure your clothes are shipped safely and affordably:
- Use strong packaging materials: Always opt for high-quality boxes or mailers to prevent damage during transit.
- Consider the weather: When shipping internationally, be aware of weather conditions that could delay your package.
- Use tracking and insurance: For high-value items like formal wear, always opt for tracking and insurance to ensure your package is secure.
- Reuse packaging responsibly: If you’re reusing boxes, make sure they are clean and sturdy.
- Pack efficiently: Fill all empty spaces in the box to avoid extra movement, which can lead to damage or wrinkling.
Choose a Clothes Shipping Service – SFL Worldwide: Get Up to 70% Off Major Carriers
When choosing a clothing shipping company, cost, speed, and reliability are the most critical factors. SFL Worldwide offers the best rates, with up to 70% off major carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL.
Why Choose SFL Worldwide for Your Clothing Shipping Needs?
- Cost-effective: SFL Worldwide provides cheap and fast shipping clothes options, especially for international shipping of clothes.
- Reliable: They offer tracking and insurance, ensuring that your packages reach their destination safely.
- Convenient: With door-to-door delivery and pickup services, shipping clothes has never been easier.
- Flexible options: Whether you’re shipping domestically or internationally, SFL Worldwide has a solution for every need.
Get Quote and Save UPTO 70% on your next shipping
FAQs About Shipping Clothes
1. What’s the cheapest way to ship clothes?
The cheapest way to ship clothes depends on the size and weight of the package. For small items, poly mailers are affordable, and services like SFL Worldwide offer discounted rates on major carriers.
2. How can I ensure my clothes don’t wrinkle during shipping?
Proper folding and using protective layers like plastic bags or acid-free tissue paper can minimize wrinkles. Fill any gaps in the box with packing materials to prevent movement.
3. Can I use a regular box to ship clothes?
Yes, you can use a regular box as long as it’s sturdy and the right size for the clothes. Make sure to use protective materials inside to prevent damage.
4. What’s the best service for international shipping of clothes?
For international shipping of clothes, services like SFL Worldwide offer excellent rates and reliable tracking, making them a top choice.
5. Can I ship used clothes?
Yes, mailing used clothes is common, especially for businesses or individuals selling second-hand items. Just make sure the clothes are clean and packed securely.
6. How do I ship clothes quickly?
For fast delivery, choose express services like FedEx Express or UPS Overnight. SFL Worldwide offers discounts on these services for quick and reliable shipping.
7. What’s the best way to send clothes in bulk?
For bulk shipments, use a sturdy corrugated box and make sure to pack efficiently. Use a reliable service like SFL Worldwide for affordable bulk shipping rates.
I’m Tammy Waller, a supply chain and logistics specialist with over 10 years of expertise. I’ve been an author and SFL employee for over 10 years.
As an author, I’ve been able to teach others. I love guiding users through supply chain and logistics operations.
I have substantial experience managing logistics operations, supply chain management, transportation, inventory management, and warehousing in shipping-moving and logistic services. I’ve worked on many worldwide logistics and supply chain projects, honing my abilities in negotiating rates, scheduling shipments, and managing vendors.
