Apparel shipping is speed without waste. Place stock near demand. Use the right service and the right pack. Track cost by zone daily.

What drives apparel shipping cost

• Distance.
• Service level.
• Package size and weight.
• Pickup windows.
• Missed scans and rework.

Two-day coverage without waste

Aim for two or three sites. Coast, central, and a flex site. Place top movers close to buyers. Recheck maps after peaks. That keeps apparel shipping fast and sane.

Carrier mix that holds the line

Match services to lanes. Use ground for nearby zones. Use air only when needed. Add weekend pick up where possible. Print labels through your shipping platform so scans flow clean.

Mailers or boxes for apparel shipping

• Soft goods want mailers.
• Gift sets and fragile trims need boxes.
• Right size every parcel.
• Do not overstuff bags.
• Seal cleanly to prevent burst returns.

Dimensional weight made easy

Large and light costs more than you expect. Shrink the package first. Switch to mailers when safe. Use insert cards, not excess padding.

Carton rules that actually help

• One-size rarely works.
• Build a small set that covers most orders.
• Teach packers when to step down.
• Spot check daily and coach on the floor.

Controls that protect margin

• Photo proof only for edge cases.
• Weigh and compare on tricky sets.
• Audit labels and pickups each shift.
• Fix scan gaps the same day.

Data to review every morning

• Cost per order by zone.
• Service mix by lane.
• On time and tracking rates.
• Damage and return reasons.
• Spend by mailer and box size.

When to add another site

• Two-day promises slip.
• Paid upgrades rise.
• Split shipments grow.
• A new node brings stock closer and cuts miles.

Where a 3PL helps

• Network design and placement.
• Carrier contracts with real volume.
• Weekend operations.
• Exception handling in real time.
• All four keep apparel shipping fast and cost effective.

Clear next step

Talk to ShipSage about apparel shipping. Send five SKUs and ship zones. We’ll map lanes, packs, and cost. You’ll get a go or no-go and a rollout path.

FAQs

What is apparel shipping in simple terms

Getting clothing to buyers fast with the right pack and service.

How do we cut apparel shipping costs quickly

Shorten distance, switch to mailers when safe, and watch zones daily.

Do we need two day on every order

Aim for two day on most views. Use one day for key regions.

Which is better, mailers or boxes

Mailers for soft goods. Boxes for sets or fragile trims.

Should we use a carrier-integrated label platform

Yes. It pushes tracking events automatically and reduces claim risk.