Textile and clothing industries are an important sector of the national economy, fueling many retail businesses. From fabric, zippers, and sewing materials to ready-to-wear high fashion products, the textile and fashion industry is crucial for today’s society. So is your ability to organize fast and convenient apparel shipping.

What is apparel shipping?

Apparel supply chains are complex and usually time-sensitive, requiring numerous considerations before shipping. Because of the high customer expectations in this particular field of retail, shipping and logistics play critical roles in customer experience and, consequently, significantly affect the company’s profit.

Retailers underestimate the role of the apparel supply chain and logistics when shipping clothing and other apparel, focusing all their efforts on marketing. However, well-organized operational processes are the cornerstone of any successful business. In the long run, it is also a cost-efficient strategy because there are fewer errors and disruptions within the supply chain. If your customers face delays and frustration, it will cost you more than a good investment in textile logistics.

Textile supply chain process

Like in any other industry, the apparel supply chain follows the organized sequence that starts with the core operations of producing items we eventually receive at the delivery. Retailers often underestimate the role of the apparel supply chain and logistics when shipping clothing, focusing all their efforts on marketing. However, well-organized operational processes are the cornerstone of a successful business.

What are the stages of the apparel supply chain?

In the long run, it is also a cost-efficient strategy because there are fewer errors and disruptions within the supply chain. If your customers face delays and frustration, it will cost you more than a good investment in textile logistics. That is why you need to consider some apparel supply chain stages while planning the delivery of clothes.

Design stage

The design stage includes creating future clothing patterns based on the company’s target audience and consumer demand. This stage involves a wide range of planning activities directed to the concepts of fast (designed for one season) and slow (designed for more extended periods) fashion.

Materials production

Materials production implies creating the raw textile materials later used for preparing fabric. Most basic manufacturing operations are concentrated at this stage, directly affecting the quality of a future product. Yet, raw materials production results in high emissions, so nowadays, many manufacturers are trying to stick to relatively sustainable fabrication strategies.

Apparel production

The apparel production stage aims to blend two previous steps, embodying fashion designs using the received fabric. It is when the actual clothes arise and are ready to reach both real and online stores’ shelves.

Distribution

After producing clothing units, they relocate to warehouses or other spaces to be ready for further distribution. Relocating clothing production is the most critical stage of apparel logistics.

Purchase

The purchase stage is when the product finally reaches its buyer. This stage reveals whether the shipping strategy has been thought-out and successful. The apparel units’ excellent condition and original functionality are the main signs of a well-organized delivery.

How to ship clothes?

Apparel retailers need a qualified assistance in arranging and maintaining the best shipping practices for the fashion supply chain. Considering the complexity of apparel logistics and textile supply chains and the numerous processes involved in the transportation and logistics machine, partnering with an experienced textile logistics provider is crucial.

Packaging

In the fashion and clothing industry, packing orders is a big deal. Retailers try their best to outstand the competitors, and fancy packaging is right off the alley for that purpose. However, in global shipping, there is another approach to packaging that should be applied. To deliver the orders safely and in perfect condition, retailers should pay close attention to packaging.

Inventory and fulfillment

To avoid any bottlenecks in logistics operations, ensure you have all the needed supplies, materials, or apparel pieces in stock. Keeping your inventory in order helps guarantee proper order fulfillment and higher customer satisfaction. It is why textile logistics is time-critical. The minor inconsistency leads to numerous disrupted orders and unsatisfied customers.

Technology

Today, retailers have endless opportunities to acquire new technology. Regarding shipping, there are also applications for managing and tracking shipments and getting updates. A good textile logistics partner usually provides an application with everything needed to address the transportation process.

What is the best way to ship clothes? 

When choosing the best way of shipping clothes, it is critical to evaluate some key points on which a successful transit depends. First, look at the quantity of the items you will ship and the approximate size needed for locating them. It will allow you to clarify the transport type most suitable for moving your cargo. Second, estimate the delivery dates to see how fast you are supposed to proceed on the road. Sometimes the apparel shipping gets time-sensible, and numerous delays in the process can seriously affect the supply chain schedule.

Based on previous considerations, there are two major shipping modes for apparel logistics:

  1. Full truckload service (FTL): if you need to ship many clothing items within strict deadlines, the best option is to use full truckload mode. Thus, you will fill the whole truck with your products, and they will travel accurately from point A to point B with no additional stops.
  2. Less than truckload service (LTL): this shipping mode is suitable if you deliver moderate amounts of textiles and apparel pieces. By choosing LTL, you will get a truck space shared with other shippers, and the carrier will complete the delivery of the units step by step, depending on the order of the destinations.

How to package clothing before shipping?

In the fashion and clothing industry, packing orders is a big deal. Retailers try their best to outstand the competitors, and fancy packaging is right off the alley for that purpose. However, another packaging approach should be applied in global shipping, following all the regulations and labeling requirements. To deliver clothes safely and perfectly, retailers should pay close attention to their chosen packaging methods.

Before packaging your apparel units, ensure they are in a good state and do not contain any foreign components or unusual smells. It will guarantee the preservation of the fashion products’ original appearance after being unpacked after delivery. If there are some additional details included with the clothes, do not exclude them from your packaging.

Clothing packaging bags 

Nowadays, clothing packaging bags have been the most popular option for shipping apparel for several reasons. First, bags are most cost-effective as they require fewer materials to be produced compared to regular boxes or other more extensive packages. Second, packaging bags need less room inside the truck so you can take maximum advantage of the trailer’s space and thus do not overpay.

Third, many clothing packaging bags use recyclable materials. Lately, many retail representatives have switched to applying sustainable packaging that is both eco-friendly and cost-efficient. If you are interested in optimizing the shipping prices, you might consider recyclable packaging, too.

There are two prevalent options of clothing packaging bags you can pick. Paper mailing bags for clothes are easy to operate while packing as they adapt to the form of the apparel item and provide the necessary protection. You can fold however needed and condense them according to the accessible space.

Poly mailers perform the same functions and differ in the transparent matters they are made of. If for some reason, you want to preserve the visibility of the apparel cargo, this option might be suitable for you. Besides, both paper and poly mailing bags are available in compostable versions.

Suppose you have received apparel products with some disassembled additional parts or multi-component accessories. In that case, it will be safe and wise to enclose them in bubble wrap or soft fillers.

Clothing packaging boxes

If your shipment is supposed to take a longer time, it is worth thinking about applying boxes for packing clothing pieces. They will protect the wearing components better in terms of extended apparel logistics operations and increase customer experience through better product representation.

Sometimes the ordered apparel samples arrive packed into the manufacturer’s brand box, so there’s no need to apply another container. However, suppose you are concerned about the risk of damaging the brand packaging. In that case, you may try the method of double-boxing. It entails stuffing the primary packaging into the bigger one and void fillers (wrapping matters, peanuts, folded papers, etc.)

Boxes also are a good choice for retailers planning bulk apparel shipping as it is more reliable to concentrate large amounts of clothes inside crates. In modern apparel logistics, you can easily find options of sustainable boxes that are firmer and will serve you for several shipments. After locating clothes in boxes, complete the packing by taping them. You may additionally consider palletizing for stronger fixation of the crates in the truck.

Labeling compliance

It is crucial to take care of proper labeling during the clothes packaging activities. This question gets even more critical if you prepare for an international apparel shipment as the state instances closely control import and export operations.

According to the U. S. Labeling Requirements, all textiles’ and apparel items’ labels must contain data about the country of origin, fiber content, manufacturer’s identification details, and instructions for care. An absent or damaged tag can negatively impact the receiver’s impression and even make them refuse the order. That is why it is better to check the labels’ evidence in the process of packing.

Brand recognition

Along with the generally required apparel labels, it is principal to keep all the brand tags of the clothing piece. Brand awareness is one of the major factors encouraging people to consume various apparel items, especially when it comes to the products of famous fashion designers. Therefore, your goal is to deliver clothes with all the brand labels attached to them. It also refers to the brand packaging, so if there was one, try to prevent it from deformation as much as possible.

How much does it cost to ship clothes?

After completing the packaging of your apparel cargo, you will be able to evaluate its general size and weight. This data is crucial in shipping price formation as it prompts you to choose the suitable shipping mode and type of vehicle. Full truckload and less than truckload services differ in price because of their shipping strategy, so pay close attention to how strict the terms of delivery are in your case.

Moreover, do not forget to count packaging expenses that usually depend on the materials used to pack your items. Besides, the textile and apparel supply chain costs depend on the distance you are supposed to cover. Knowing the transit mileage also allows you to work out the fuel expenses.

The best way to calculate wholesale clothing shipping costs is to fill in shipment information and compare quotes. With GoShip, you can compare quotes from multiple carriers in real-time and arrange apparel logistics properly.

How long does it take to ship clothes?

The duration of your textile and apparel supply chain primarily relies on the delivery distance. It will take comparatively longer if you transport apparel to remote states or ship internationally. Besides, a few more factors contribute to the clothing supply chain terms. For example, consider the seasonality that significantly impacts the fabric supply chain.

The volume of clothes purchases tends to grow along with preparation for the upcoming fashion seasons as the apparel manufacturers and designers create new popular clothing samples and launch large-scale marketing campaigns. Additionally, fashion retail is rapidly gaining momentum closer to the holiday season when many clothing pieces travel as presents. In peak season and holiday period, traffic might be pretty tough, so it is better to get ready in advance. It is also worth counting weather conditions that sometimes affect the apparel shipping flow.

What is the cheapest way to ship clothes internationally?

The textile and apparel supply chain may seem challenging regarding international shipping. To organize this process correctly and avoid possible risks, we recommend you generate an efficient strategy that consists of the following key points.

  1. First, you must gather all the necessary information for the international clothes shipments. It primarily includes determining the destination country. Depending on it, you’ll see if there is an opportunity to ship apparel according to the free trade agreements (FTA). If you are planning to ship fabric and fashion pieces to the countries without FTA, this will require delving into special regulations and exploring tax rates.

    Although clothes do not usually evolve restrictions for shipping internationally, it is better to ensure your cargo is eligible for import operations. Taxes size for international apparel logistics relies on the actual value and type of your items and the destination place. You can try calculating the approximate size of taxes here.
  2. Typically, international clothes shipping depends on leading special paperwork you haven’t seen before. It can also vary depending on the target country of transportation. It is critical to address customs brokers who will help you collect the necessary documentation and guide you through international labeling regulations.
  3. Shipment tracking is an integral part of a successful international shipment. Keeping an eye on the movement of your cargo will allow you to stick to delivery terms and avoid risks of the loss or misplacement of the items. Additionally, providing tracking options enhances shippers’ reliability and improves the customer experience.

Shipping apparel with GoShip

The best way to calculate wholesale clothing shipping costs is to fill in shipment information and compare quotes. With GoShip, you can compare quotes from multiple carriers in real-time and arrange apparel logistics properly.

  • Instant and free freight quotes
  • Full truckload and less-than-truckload shipping services
  • Low freight rates
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • A self-service platform for online shipment booking