How to Pack & Ship Clothing Overseas

The e-commerce fashion sector has witnessed a major shift in its shopping patterns since the pandemic. The increase of easy online access and smartphone penetration has led customers to shop products from online retailers more than ever as compared to shopping from brick-and-mortar stores. 

According to the State of Fashion 2021 insights, the fashion retail industry has shifted online in 2020 and embraced digital innovations because of the pandemic and this resulted in an increase in sales from 16% to 29% globally.  So, if you are running an online business and wish to drive more international sales, you will have to think not only about your digital transformation but also how you can deliver your products fast and in good condition at your customers’ doorstep overseas.

Here is a comprehensive garment packing and shipping guideline you must consider if you want to ship them safely from Singapore to anywhere in the world.

1. Learn how to pack clothes the right way

Choosing the right type of packaging is key for the success of any business because customers don’t like seeing their shipments arrive in a spoiled condition. Here’s a small checklist you can consider while packing non-fragile and fragile clothing:

Packing Non-Fragile Clothing

These clothing items can be shipped either in a single wall cardboard box or in a sealed plastic flyer bag. It is highly recommended to follow the DHL Express packing guide to ensure your shipment reaches your customers safely and in good condition. 

How should you pack them?

• Wrap each piece of clothing individually using small cell bubble wrap or kraft paper to avoid damage during transit.
   
• Do not roll them up as they’ll wrinkle during transit and look bad when the parcel arrives on your customer’s doorstep.
   
• Choose the right size of the container for clothing items and avoid keeping any space within as empty spaces tend to collapse during transport.
   
• If you are using a flyer bag, fold and tape down the excess space.
   
• Ensure to apply a transport label for easy visibility. 

Packing Fragile Clothing

These clothing items must be separately packed within a dual-wall box, unless you choose to pack in a special box of your own. 

How should you pack them?

• Ensure that all the empty spaces are adequately filled so that the products remain stable during transit.
   
• Wrap and transport the items separately using a small cell bubble wrap before keeping them into a dual-wall box. 
   
• Keep your shipping item at a gap of 6cm from the box walls.
   
• Ensure that you wrap the flaps using an H-taping method.
   
• Attach transport and fragile labels for clear visibility. 

2. Declare the accurate value of your goods

Make sure you provide an accurate value of all your clothing items for smooth customs clearance. In addition, you will also have to provide a Harmonized System (HS) code and a detailed description/breakdown of your goods. For example, ‘red, 20% cotton, 80% nylon men’s sweater. 

Be careful not to undervalue your goods because this will lead to a high penalty. To understand what undervaluation of goods is and why customs compliance is a must for international shipping, read our customs compliance article. 

In addition, make sure that your shipment doesn’t contain counterfeit clothing. Shipping counterfeit item is against the law. If your package is found with counterfeit branded clothes, your shipment will not only be confiscated, but you will also have to pay a hefty fine and may even face prosecution according to the local regulations.

3. Understand the international shipping rules

Fabric shipping restrictions vary from country to country. The reason is simple - some fabrics contain materials that are banned in certain countries. Hence, read up on textile quotas including their licensing requirements, whether or not a certificate is required to import that type of fabric. For example, all textile shipments will require a complete description, including their fabric content and individual value per item when shipping to the USA from Singapore.

Read the international shipping rules of the destination country prior shipping to avoid any delays and disruptions.

4. Find a reliable international courier service

Due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic, many companies are reconnecting their supply chains as they move towards recovery. Partnering with a reliable and efficient international courier service that you can depend on is critical for the heightened demand for last-mile delivery. DHL Express, Singapore’s leading global logistics company, provides speedy last-mile deliveries to over 220 countries and territories across the globe.

We implement contactless delivery to keep our delivery efficiency and speed while safeguarding the safety of our couriers and customers. We offer On-demand delivery service wherein you can choose alternative delivery options that suit your customers’ preference. Furthermore, our 24/7 customer service agents ensure that all queries are answered immediately to provide a sense of satisfaction to our customers.

We, at DHL Express, continuously strive to improve our services and deliver excellence to our customers by helping their business grow better.