How to ship clothes with FedEx
Learn the best way to ship clothes, including shirts, hoodies, jeans, and wedding dresses, and get tips to help
you save on shipping costs.
Learn the best way to ship clothes, including shirts, hoodies, jeans, and wedding dresses, and get tips to help you save on shipping costs.
Know before you ship
Prep to ship clothes: Here’s what you’ll need
- Wardrobe box or other sturdy corrugated box
- Hangers (for wardrobe boxes with metal rods)
- Acid-free paper or muslin cloth (for delicate items)
- Plastic garment bag or polybag (as appropriate)
- Packing tape at least 2" wide
- Packing materials, such as packing peanuts, bubble packaging, or tissue paper
How to ship with a wardrobe box
Whether you’re sending a student off to college or moving to another state, a wardrobe box with a hanging rod is one of the most convenient ways to quickly transfer a closet of clothes, including high-value items like formal attire.
1. Assemble the wardrobe box.
- Use the H taping method and apply at least three strips of packing tape (at least 2" wide) to enclose the bottom of the box.
- Hang the rod inside the box according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Prepare your items.
- Hang the clothes on hangers.
- Button shirts and zip jackets.
- For extra protection, wrap items like blouses in a plastic bag.
3. Hang your items inside the box.
- Put the bottom of your hanging clothes into the box first, adjust them, then hang the hangers on the rod. Don’t hang the hangers first and force your clothes in after.
- If you have room, you can place other articles in the bottom of the box, such as hats, purses, or shoes. These items may travel best in boxes to avoid distortion or soiling clothing.
4. Properly seal and label your box.
- Use the H taping method and apply at least three strips of packing tape (at least 2" wide) to the top of the box. Tape all seams and flaps.
- Place your shipping label on the top of the box.
How to ship casual clothes
If you're shipping a small item or two, you may want to use a poly mailer. For multiple pieces or large bundles exceeding 5 inches in height, we recommend placing the items in a corrugate box. Use the steps below to help pack items efficiently, save on shipping costs and reduce wrinkling or damage.
1. Choose the right box.
- Choose a box that’s the right size for your items. If it’s too big, you’ll need to purchase extra packing materials to keep the items from shifting inside the box, and you’ll pay more to ship it. On the other hand, a box that is too small can cause excessive wrinkling, or the seams can burst and potentially expose your item.
- Use the H taping method and apply at least three strips of packing tape (at least 2" wide) to enclose the bottom of the box.
2. Prepare your items.
- If you’re shipping a shirt, hoodie, dress, or jacket, place it face down on a clean surface and fold the sleeves backwards. Then fold the length of it in three.
- If you’re shipping pants or jeans, fold them from the knees to the pockets, then fold in half once more. Smooth as you go.
- Consider enclosing your items in a plastic bag or a polybag to add an extra layer of protection.
3. Place your items inside the box.
- If you are shipping multiple items, stack them or place them in the box so that they make efficient use of the box space.
- Use packing materials, such as bubble packaging or packing peanuts, to limit internal shifting during transit and minimize wrinkling.
4. Properly seal and label your box.
- Use the H taping method and apply at least three strips of packing tape (at least 2" wide) to the top of the box. Tape all seams and flaps.
- Place your shipping label on the top of the box. Avoid placing labels over closure seams or tape.
How to ship high-value clothing like wedding dresses and formal wear
Valuable clothing like wedding dresses, tuxedos, suits, prom dresses, and expensive accessories like beaded veils or gloves need special prep and attention. Use these steps to help keep your formal attire looking sharp.
1. Choose the right box.
- Choose a box that’s the right size for your garment. A box that is too large will require inner packing material to fill void space and minimize shifting. Excessively large boxes can also be subject to dimensional weight pricing versus actual weight pricing. A box that is too small can cause excessive wrinkling or if overstuffed, can potentially burst open in transit resulting in exposure or loss.
- Use a sturdy corrugated box to protect delicate items.
- Use the H taping method and apply at least three strips of packing tape (at least 2" wide) to enclose the bottom of the box.
2. Prepare your garment.
- To protect delicate fabrics and keep embellishments or beading intact, cover delicate areas with acid-free tissue paper or muslin cloth. Place the tissue paper or cloth between each layer of fabric and fully wrap the garment. For an extra layer of protection, you can encase the garment in a clear plastic bag. Doing so will add an additional layer of protection against damage from snags, soil, or water.
- Fold your garment according to its design. If you’re packing a dress with a train, fold the left and right sides toward the center of the dress and roll up carefully without bunching or crushing. Fold the dress from bodice to hem.
3. Place the item inside the box.
- Pack the box with packing materials, such as packing peanuts and bubble packaging, to keep your garment from shifting inside the box during transit.
4. Properly seal and label your box.
- Use the H taping method and apply at least three strips of packing tape (at least 2" wide) to the top of the box. Tape all seams and flaps.
- Place your shipping label on the top of the box. Avoid placing labels over closure seams or tape.
Deliver formal fast
Use one of our FedEx SameDay® service options to get formal attire—or any other garments—across your metro area or even across the country today.
Whether you’re packaging up clothing for an online order or moving your wardrobe cross-country, our packaging experts can help you ship with confidence. Our step-by-step instructions will teach you how to pack a variety of clothes – from wedding dresses to your favorite casual wear.
Make sure your box is the perfect fit
Head to a FedEx Office location and get the packing supplies and packaging you need to ship clothes. You'll find plastic wrap, specialty boxes, and double-walled boxes, ideal for shipping wedding dresses and other delicate items.
If you’d like some help packing while you’re there, ask one of our packing pros. Just make sure your clothes are on hangers if you’re shipping with a wardrobe box, or they’re already folded if you’re using a standard box. Find a FedEx Office location with packing services near you.
Make sure your box is the perfect fit
Make sure your box is the perfect fit
Head to a FedEx Office location and get the packing supplies and packaging you need to ship clothes. You'll find plastic wrap, specialty boxes, and double-walled boxes, ideal for shipping wedding dresses and other delicate items.
If you’d like some help packing while you’re there, ask one of our packing pros. Just make sure your clothes are on hangers if you’re shipping with a wardrobe box, or they’re already folded if you’re using a standard box. Find a FedEx Office location with packing services near you.
Choose a clothes shipping service
The service you choose really comes down to where you’re shipping clothes to and how fast you need to get them there. Other factors include how often you ship, and whether you need a signature upon delivery.
Need speed?
Choose a FedEx overnight shipping option for next-business-day delivery. You can ship packages up to 150 lbs., up to 119" in length, and 165" in length and girth. Services include:
- FedEx First Overnight®
- FedEx Priority Overnight®
- FedEx Standard Overnight®
Got more time?
Choose a more cost-efficient FedEx standard service. You can ship packages up to 150 lbs., up to 108" in length, and 165" in length plus girth.
- FedEx Ground® ships to businesses in 1–5 business days.
- FedEx Home Delivery® ships to residences in 1–5 days, including weekends.
Need to ship a heavy package?
A package that weighs more than 150 lbs. is considered freight. Learn about specific packaging requirements, then compare our freight shipping options.
Need to ship to another country?
Check out our international shipping options.
Ship the same item to customers on a consistent basis?
Choose FedEx One Rate®. It’s an easy way to ship express
items that weigh under 50 lbs. Plus, you get predictable
pricing and complimentary packaging.
Ship the same item to customers on a consistent basis?
Choose FedEx One Rate®. It’s an easy way to ship express items that weigh under 50 lbs. Plus, you get predictable pricing and complimentary packaging.
Ready to ship?
Use your FedEx account or log in as a guest. Have your shipping info ready and your credit card handy.
Save time by having one of our couriers pick up your shipment from your home or other location.
Drop off your shipment at a FedEx Office location or other participating retailer like Walgreens.
Helpful resources
Not happy with an online purchase? No problem. Learn how you can easily return it to the retailer.
Need to ship clothes or other items to a college dorm or apartment? Use our insights to help you and your student plan ahead.
Ship expensive articles with confidence. Learn how declaring a value can increase the limit of liability for your package.
Have other specialty items to ship?
Check out our How-to Hub for guides and tutorials to help you pack, label, ship, and more.
Frequently asked questions about how to ship clothes
Shipping costs depend on the weight and size of the box and your delivery needs and timeline. If you’re a small-business owner who ships items that weigh less than 50 lbs. frequently, you might find flat-rate shipping to be most cost-effective. FedEx Ground is another economical shipping option. Learn more about our shipping options or get a rate.
Generally, hoodies are small and lightweight, so they’re easy to ship. How much it costs to ship them really depends on how fast you need to ship it and where you need to ship it. Take a look at our packaging and packing supplies and service options to see what fits your timeline and budget or get a rate.
You can purchase packaging and packing supplies from a nearby FedEx Office location. Learn more about how easy it is to make a return.
The best way to ship clothes when you’re moving depends on what you’re shipping and how fast you need to get it there. Learn more about shipping casual clothes and how to ship using a wardrobe box. You can also review our shipping service options to help you determine what works best for your budget and timeline.
Packaging pointers:
- Place your shipping label on top of the box to increase the chances it will be transported in the preferred orientation. We cannot ensure compliance with markings such as up arrows or “This End Up.”
- Choose the right-sized box to avoid paying more than necessary for the box, packing materials, and shipping costs.
- Choose heavy-duty packaging to help protect delicate items from vigorous shipping conditions.
- Pack clothing items in a plastic bag, polybag, or garment bag to help prevent them from potentially getting dirty or wet.
- If moving, write info on the box to let you know who the clothes belong to, or which room they go to.
- Be cautious when using previously used boxes. They might be weak or contain dirt or insects.
- If shipping a secondhand item to a customer, such as a wedding dress or casual attire, consider the unboxing experience. Fold your item to help prevent wrinkling and soiling. You might even use decorative tissue paper or include a kind note.
- If shipping to a consumer, consider using reusable packaging as part of your returns strategy. You’ll help your customer and the environment.
Yes. It’s a good idea to use one of our heavy-duty double-walled boxes or other sturdy box to protect it in transit. There are also certain steps you can take when packing it to help make sure the special dress is ready for the special day.
If you are shipping your clothes in a standard box (instead of a wardrobe box), you should fold your clothes without the hangers. Wire hangers can potentially puncture the box, rip your clothes, and take up unnecessary space in the box.
Absolutely. Learn more about e-commerce and get info on how you can use our services and tools to help you grow your online business.