Cheapest Way To Ship Clothes 2025 From Merchant’s Advices

Are you an online seller on eBay or running an ecommerce business for clothes? Or are you figuring out the cheapest way to ship dresses?

Whatever the reason is, staying competitive as a clothing retailer is not just about selling high-quality clothes. 

As a clothing retailer, you should MASTER the logistics ecosystem of SHIPPING clothes. 

Having more than 10 years of experience in the ecommerce industry we know different ways to ship items to customers Efficiently. After doing in depth research and based on our connections with retailers, we are here with the SAFEST and CHEAPEST way to ship clothes.

In this blog, we will guide you on how to ship clothes and significant shipping options.

Let’s have a look at the INTRICACIES of shipping clothes. 

Cheapest way to ship clothes

Things to consider before shipping clothes

Ensure that your shipments get to your customers without a HITCH by considering the following factors.

Things to consider before shipping clothes

Packaging and Marketing

Both marketing and packaging go HAND in HAND. The customer’s experience while unboxing the package influences how your company or brand is perceived. 

High-Quality Packaging protects the items and promotes your brand. Make sure to fold the clothes in a NEAT WAY before they are packed into mailers. 

We recommend using PACKAGING INSERTS to set your company apart. It will also create a pleasant customer experience. Ultimately, customers will shop again from you, increasing sales. 

Shipping Companies

Are you familiar with different carriers like UPS, FedEx, or USPS Priority Mail? All of these carriers have different pricing and options to ship clothes. 

Select the RIGHT courier service after considering the following points: 

  • Is the courier company ship clothes domestically, internationally, or both?
  • Are there any minimum or maximum package weights, or what is the most common package weight?
  • What is the ideal delivery speed? Are weekends included in working days or not?

Evaluate each option in the CONTEXT of the above points and choose the best shipping option for your online store. 

Shipping costs

Choose the shipping rate from the following three options.

  • Real-Time Carrier Rate: Allow customers to choose and pay the shipping option they want by setting up the carrier rates.
  • Flat rate shipping: We RECOMMEND this for your ecommerce business. You charge a flat rate for all types of shipments in flat-rate shipping. If you have a standard product line, it will be more effective than selling a variety of clothing. 
  • Free Shipping Cost: OBVIOUSLY, customers LOVE this. But who will pay to ship clothes? In this case, you should increase the prices of products to cover the shipping costs. 

How much does it cost to ship clothes?

The cost to ship clothes

Shipping costs depend on different factors, such as

  • How large is your package?
  • How much does your package weigh?
  • How far do you want to ship your parcel?

The SMALLER or LIGHTER your parcel is, the LESS it will cost to SHIP. 

First Class Package Service – Rates start under $4

Weight-based Priority mail – Rated start over $7

As you see, the rates vary so WILDLY. The best way to get a QUOTE is to put the information of your package delivery into this real-time Rates calculator and see what options POP UP for you.

 A Fast , Easy and Cheap Way to Ship from China 

Do not hesitate to contact China sourcing agent any time regarding your shipments from China.

What is the cheapest way to ship clothes?

Cheapest way to ship clothes

The cheapest way to ship is to compare the prices of different shipping services. 

The domestic shipping services with the cheapest rates to ship clothes are: 

1. USPS First Class Mail

It is the most POPULAR METHOD to ship clothes from US. Why? It is affordable.

It is QUICK and ships the package within 1-3 days to its destination. 

One drawback of USPS First class service is that the parcel weight limit is 15.00 ounces or under 1lb. It means that you cannot ship heavy-weight packages. 

2. FedEx Ship Manager Lite

It is another QUICK & AFFORDABLE shipping service for shipping clothes. It ships dresses under the weight of 68kgs or 150lbs. 

With Manager Lite, you can avail yourself of the free packaging service. It will save you time and effort in packaging the parcels.

3. UPS Ground

The UPS Ground shipping process costs $15.57 for a 2-pound package of clothes to ship from US. It delivers the package within 1 to 5 working days to reach its DESTINATION. 

How to ship clothes from China?

Ship clothes from China

There are different shipping services by which online sellers can ship clothes from China.

Express shipping via an international courier service such as FedEx, UPS, TNT, or DHL is the CHEAPEST, FASTEST, and RELIABLE way to ship clothing from China. 

Want to ship your package as quickly as possible? We recommend choosing EXPRESS SHIPPING.

The factor that helps you to choose the service is the destination country and the actual weight of the product. 

The freight Costs of shipping from China to the U.S. are:

  • Air Express charges $5 to $9 per kg. 
  • Air Freight charges $4 to $8 per kg.
  • Sea Freight charges $3000 to $3900 per container.

Import duties and taxes on clothing

If you don’t have the FTA and shipping without it, then U.S. taxes and duties on clothing are imposed. 

The import taxes depend on your product’s value and country of origin.

By default, the customer pays the duties and taxes on the package. But sellers can also pay the charges by creating the shipment on the carrier’s platform.

Use the online duty calculator to calculate the cost of the taxes and duties that apply to your destination country.

We can Made Drop Shipping from China Easy

Leeline Sourcing is to help Shopify & small businesses sourcing products from China and build your branded business.

How to package clothes and ship apparel?

Package clothes

Not to worry about the breakage of items because clothes are not fragile products.

To package the clothes, you need cardboard boxes. Pack each cloth with a Compostable Garments bag to prevent them from wetting or getting dirty. (USE HIGH-QUALITY PACKING TAPE)

PRO TIPS: 

  • Stick with smaller boxes as much as you can. It will reduce shipping cost estimates. 
  • Use your own branded packing bags to promote your brand. 

Packing Single Shirt

Fold the shirt in an organized manner and place it in a bag. Wrap it with tissue paper and seal it with a piece of ticker or tape. 

Add the shipping label and input the relevant shipping information.

Packing More than Two Shirts

To prevent the WRINKLING of shirts, stack them in an organized way and use a box in a larger volume. Add shipping label and ship to CUSTOMERS. 

How to weigh clothes?

Weigh clothes

The weight of the package has a BIG IMPACT on shipping clothes. 

Here are some of the ways to weigh clothes are:

  • For Larger Packages, use a bathroom scale.
  • For Smaller Items, use a cooking scale.
  • Buy different weight machines online, such as digital luggage scales.

What if you have only the BATHROOM SCALE available but need to weigh the light in weight package?

Not to worry! We have a SOLUTION!

First, weigh yourself alone and then consider yourself by holding the package. After that, take a difference between measurements, rounded to a pound. (SIMPLE!)

Choosing the packing materials required for shipping clothes

Packing materials

The effective way to ship clothing includes how to package the clothes. 

Use the RIGHT packing materials to ensure they reach their destination well-presented and intact. 

Pack clothes in High-Quality materials as it is a matter of your brand reputation.

The options for packing materials are:

  • Cardboard box for large package
  • Tyvek envelopes for a single shirt or small shipment. 
  • Corrugated boxes for long-distance shipments 

Summary

Choosing the cheapest way to ship clothes is one of the essential factors in running an ecommerce store. 

Higher shipping costs reduce the profit margins. 

As per our recommendation, the best option to ship clothes is USPS. But we also recommend researching before committing to one shipping service

Always keep in mind that the reputation of your brand matters a lot. So, pack the clothes organized and with high-quality packing material.

FAQs about Cheapest Way To Ship Clothes

1. Can I ship clothes in a suitcase?

No, it is not recommended to ship clothes in a suitcase. The reason is that handles and wheels cause difficulties in transit. Shipping labels also do not affix to the suitcase.

2. How to Ship a Wedding Dress?

Wrap the wedding dresses in acid-free tissue paper and encase the dress in a transparent plastic bag. Pack the clothing in a sturdy box. 
Secure the outside of the package with tape and write the wedding dresses on the box’s exterior.

3. Is it cheaper to ship in a bag or box?

Shipping in a box is always cheaper than shipping a package in a bag. Shipping clothes and multiple shirts are always best to pack in ship boxes. 

What’s Next

Mastering how to ship clothing is challenging for any ecommerce business. 

The above 1500 words of information will help you to determine the best strategy and cheapest way to ship clothes to desired destinations.

Still not sure about sustainable packaging and shipping company options? Contact us at Leeline Sourcing. Our experts will get a quote and possible solution to your problem in no time. 

Do you want a successful import business?

sharline

Hey, I’m Sharline, co-founder of  LeelineSourcing. We’ve helped 2000+ customers import from China.

Do you want a better price on product or shipping?

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Sharline

Article by:

Sharline Shaw

Hey I'm Sharline, the founder of Leeline Sourcing. With 10 years of experience in the field of sourcing in China, we help 2000+ clients import from China,Alibaba,1688 to Amazon FBA or shopify. If you have any questions about sourcing , pls feel free to contact us.