How To Ship Clothes: A Complete Guide

Sanidhya Negi / October 9, 2024

India’s textile and apparel industry is thriving, with exports expected to hit USD 100 billion by 2030. As the demand for clothing increases, so does the need for efficient shipping solutions. Using courier services to send clothes offers numerous benefits, including convenience, security, and cost-effectiveness.

Whether you’re looking to know how to courier clothes in India or how to ship clothes internationally, reliable logistics is key. Textile shipping service providers like Bigship not only provide seamless shipping services that cater to the apparel industry, but they also ensure safe and timely deliveries. 

In this blog, we’ll dive into how to send clothes by courier in India and the best practices for shipping apparel efficiently.

How To Pack Clothes For Shipping?

When shipping apparel, proper packing is essential to protect clothes from damage and ensure that they arrive in good condition to your customers. Below we have provided some simple steps to pack clothes for shipping.

Packing Non-Fragile Apparel

Non-fragile apparel includes regular clothing items like jeans, trousers, and shirts. For shirts, you can fold them flat and in case of multiple shirts, you can stack them neatly. The same goes for jeans and trousers. Now wrap the items with bubble wrap or kraft paper to protect them. Then choose the right-sized box and fill any empty spaces to avoid collapse during transit. If you are using plastic flyer bags, then tape them properly. Lastly, attach a transport label for easy identification.

Packing Fragile Apparel

This category includes delicate or high-value garments such as gowns and silk fabrics. For packing such clothing items, use a dual-wall box or custom packaging. You must wrap each item with small cell bubble wrap for added protection. Ensure that there is a gap of at least 6 cm between the wall of the box and the clothing item. Also, seal the box properly, you can use the H-taping method. The last but most important step is to mark the box with transport and fragile labels for clear visibility.

Packing Special Apparel

Usually, wedding clothes are considered in the special apparel category. Shipping a wedding dress requires special attention to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. First, keep the dress hanging until you’re ready to pack it. Next, choose a box that fits the dress to prevent shifting during transit. Place acid-free tissue paper between the fabric layers to avoid creases. Then, pack the dress inside a clear garment bag and cushion it with bubble wrap for added protection. Finally, mark the box with “Wedding Dress”.

How To Courier Clothes in India?

Textile shipping in India is a simple and straightforward process. You need to follow some easy steps to ensure that clothes reach their destination in perfect condition. Whether you’re shipping textiles within the country or sending items internationally, paying attention to packaging and choosing the right courier service is essential.

Choose the right-size packing container: You should begin by selecting the correct packing container. The size of the container should fit your clothes perfectly to avoid excess movement, which could cause wrinkles or damage. Opt for lightweight packaging like poly mailers for single items or cardboard boxes for larger shipments to keep costs down. Durability is important too so ensure the container can withstand bumps during transit by using reinforced cardboard or similar materials.

Properly Pack The Clothes: Once the container is ready, carefully pack your clothes to protect them from damage. You can use plastic bags or bubble wrap for moisture protection, especially when shipping delicate fabrics. For fragile or expensive clothing, wrap each piece in acid-free tissue paper. If you’re sending multiple items, neatly fold and stack them, placing tissue between layers to prevent color transfer.

Select a Reliable Textile Transportation Service: Opting for a trusted courier partner for shipping textiles is crucial. Bigship, a leading courier aggregator in India, offers efficient services for domestic and international shipments. With Bigship, you get access to multiple courier options which ensures timely and cost-effective delivery. Their tracking system also gives you peace of mind by keeping you updated on your package’s journey.

Prepare Your Shipment: Finally, seal the package securely using strong packing tape to prevent it from opening during transit. Also, attach the shipping label clearly to ensure easy identification and smooth processing. Weigh your package and schedule a pickup or drop-off with your chosen courier. 

Additional Packaging Tips For Shipping Textiles

We know that when it comes to shipping apparel, packaging is crucial and we have already discussed how to pack clothes for shipping. Here are some additional tips for shipping textiles. 

Keep the packaging compact and light: Use a packaging that fits around the clothes to avoid extra bulk and weight. This not only saves on shipping costs but also makes handling easier.

Add padding for delicate items: For fragile or delicate fabrics like silk, consider using padding such as bubble wrap or tissue paper. This helps protect the material from damage during transit.

Choose the appropriate packaging based on the product: While standardized boxes are practical, it’s important to use packaging suited to the product’s size and type. Avoid using large or elaborate boxes for smaller items to keep packaging efficient.

Factors Affecting Apparel Shipping Costs

When considering how much it costs to ship clothes, several factors come into play that can influence the final shipping price. From the quantity of items to the type of packaging used, each decision can impact overall costs. Here are some key factors that affect apparel shipping costs:

Quantity of Items: The number of clothes being shipped plays a significant role in the shipping cost. For smaller quantities, padded envelopes may suffice, keeping costs low. However, shipping larger quantities may require multiple boxes or a large box which increases the cost.

Type of Clothes: The type of clothing also influences packaging needs and costs. Everyday clothes can be packed in standard boxes or envelopes, but special items like wedding dresses need special care and sturdy boxes. 

Packing Method: Choosing the right packing method is essential when determining how to ship clothes and control the shipping costs as well. Sealing clothes in plastic bags and using the correct-sized boxes or envelopes can help reduce shipping costs by avoiding overpacking.

Package Weight: The weight of the package directly affects how much it costs to ship clothes. Heavier items or overpacked boxes can result in higher shipping fees. Using smaller, appropriately sized boxes can help avoid exceeding weight limits and keep costs manageable.

Grow Your Apparel Business with Bigship

Bigship makes textile transportation easy and efficient as it offers a range of benefits for your apparel business. With access to their shipping rate and weight calculators, early COD remittance, NDR management, and real-time tracking, managing orders is seamless through a single user-friendly panel. 

Bigship’s affordable shipping costs, partnerships with 19+ courier companies, and coverage of over 29,000 pin codes in India and 220+ countries & territories internationally ensure wide-reaching service. Whether you’re wondering how to send clothes by courier in India or abroad, Bigship offers all the necessary services you need for hassle-free shipping.

Conclusion

Shipping clothes efficiently requires attention to detail and careful planning. From choosing the right packaging to selecting a reliable courier service, every step impacts how smoothly your textiles are delivered. Factors like quantity, packaging methods, and weight can significantly affect how much it costs to ship clothes. By following best practices, you can optimize your apparel shipping process and ensure efficient deliveries. Partnering with trusted textile shipping providers like Bigship helps guarantee that clothes reach their destination safely and cost-effectively. 

To use the shipping services of Bigship for your textiles, you can simply sign up here!

 

FAQs

Ques: What is the efficient way to ship clothes?
Ans: The most effective way to ship clothes is by using appropriate packaging, depending on the clothing type. Seal items in plastic to protect them from moisture and choose a reliable courier service for safe, timely delivery.

Ques: How to ship clothes affordably?
Ans: To ship clothes affordably, you can consider using a courier aggregator like Bigship. With access to multiple courier options, competitive rates, and efficient packaging solutions, Bigship ensures cost-effective and reliable clothing shipments, both domestically and internationally.

Ques: What are the factors that affect textile shipping costs?
Ans: The main factors that affect the cost of textile shipping are:

• Packaging Method
• Clothing Type
• Package Weight
• Item Quantity