As more and more customers choose to shop online, there has been a significant increase in shipping demand. Many small business owners are already looking for ways to help save money during the shipping process, so learning about the cheapest clothing shipping options is essential.
according to statista, u.s. Retail eCommerce revenue from fashion apparel sales is projected to reach nearly $597 million by the end of 2021. You definitely want your store to be included in those earnings, so we’re here to help you understand how to ship clothing at the best price for your shipment! By comparing various carriers, rates, and services, and even providing an option for sustainable clothing donation, we’ll guide you to find the most affordable option for shipping clothing.
shipping clothes under a pound
Many of the single-item clothing purchases you ship will weigh less than a pound, and if you’re not paying attention, it can be easy to overpay for shipping. Customers who buy clothes online are often more understanding if you’re transparent about shipping times and return policies, so you may not have to worry as much about faster, more expensive shipping options.
USPS First Class Parcel Service is basically unbeatable as the cheapest way to ship clothing for less than a pound. First Class Parcel Service provides tracking and has an estimated delivery time of 1-5 days. there is also a 15.999 ounce allowance, so this option is quite ideal for shipping individual garments.
Shipping Clothing Over One Pound
If you pack multiple items to ship together, your shipment weight will likely quickly exceed 15,999 oz. usps first class parcel service weight limit. From there, you’ll need to look at the other options listed in the table above.
When shipping with UPS and FedEx, it’s important to consider residential and fuel surcharges. UPS and FedEx also apply dimensional weight to all packages, so the shipping cost is based on package volume and not weight. USPS only applies this to packages larger than 1,728 inches or 1 cubic foot. If you’re using the right packaging, you’re not likely to use boxes this size for clothing, so it shouldn’t be a concern if you’re shipping USPS. You can even get free fitting supplies directly from usps by ordering them offline and having them delivered right to your door!
Find out where to get free USPS supplies from your shippingeasy account with our onyx products® shipping supplies store blog!
flat rate options
Flat rate can be a smart and affordable way to ship clothing, especially for packages traveling longer distances. flat-rate shipping eliminates weight and distance requirements and offers a single rate for shipping. To understand how best to ship clothing with USPS, let’s compare USPS priority, flat rate, and regional options.
usps priority supplies vs usps flat rate
A pair of men’s jeans weighs about 1 lb. 6 oz. and is rounded up to 2 pounds in accordance with USPS guidelines. This package will ship about 1400-1800 miles, or as the USPS would classify it, in Zone 7. By considering the USPS Priority and Flat Rate criteria, you can see the difference in that shipping cost:
- priority mail package (commercial rates with shippingeasy): $11.62
- priority mail flat rate padded envelope(commercial rates with shippingeasy) : $8.45
- savings using flat rate: $3.17
A three-dollar savings may seem small at first, but those savings add up quickly! It’s also important to know the differences in these services because the cheapest service will vary, depending on what you’re actually shipping.
if we take those same jeans from the example above and only ship them 51 to 150 miles, or zone 2, the cheapest shift service:
- priority mail (commercial rates with shippingeasy): $8.02
- pm flat rate padded envelope (commercial rates with shippingeasy): $8.45
- higher cost using flat rate: $0.42
This may seem like a small difference, but just like with discounts, those extra charges can add up quickly. Check out our rate calculator to compare more of these rates and help your small business save more money when shipping.
For a full breakdown of USPS Priority Mail, check out our blog.
Regional vs. Flat Rate (for packages up to 15 lbs)
Although flat rate and priority are great options, once multiple items are included in a shipment, regional rate boxes are another great option for shipping clothing. These boxes use distance as the primary criteria and work best for shipments that need to travel shorter distances and weigh between 15 and 20 pounds, depending on the box.
ups offers a flat rate option called simple rate and fedex offers a flat rate call. both include fuel surcharges and residential delivery fees and should also be explored as opportunities where possible or available.
clothes donation
If you have clothing that cannot be sold or your business wants to donate clothing to charity, the return box is a great option. In 2012, founder Monika Weila wanted to create a solution to help those in need. gift back box not only encourages you to donate clothes and other times, but also partners with larger companies to encourage the reuse of packages and shipping containers from these companies to create a beneficial and sustainable process.
Give Back Box will not only provide you with a prepaid label, but you will also be able to drop off your items at UPS, USPS and FedEx locations, and you will be able to choose which charity will benefit from your donation. To learn more about Give Back Box, visit their website.
When you’re managing a small ecommerce business, comparing the rates of different carriers and services to ship clothing can be time-consuming. By learning some of the most cost-efficient ways to ship clothing, you can save valuable time. To select the best option for your shipment, keep the weight and destination in mind. Also, The Give Back Box provides you with a way to donate clothes you might not be selling or have decided to give away from your own closet. While clothing styles might change, saving time and money for your small business never goes out of style.