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The Secret to Shipping Clothes Successfully on an International Scale
19/02/2026
Key Takeaways:
- Because the fashion industry is highly time-sensitive, successful clothes shipping relies on choosing the right shipping partners, using the optimal trade routes, and managing delays. For instance, working with flexible partners with high equipment availability can help you manage demand peaks and keep supply chains running smoothly.
- Real-time tracking and forecasting tools give your business full visibility and control, helping you stay ahead of market trends.
- Working with a shipping company that offers varied shipping speeds, specialized containers like garment-on-hanger (GOH), sustainable packaging and local warehousing can help create a smooth supply chain which boosts customer satisfaction.
Whether you’re looking at fast fashion, high fashion, seasonal trends, or designer collections, the apparel industry is one of the most dominant and influential in the world.
In fact, before the Covid-19 Pandemic, the fashion industry’s global revenue was estimated to be between $1.7 trillion and $2.5 trillion according to two different research reports conducted by Euromonitor and McKinsey.
However, with so many companies occupying space within the retail industry, how do certain brands stand out? As a new business building a reputation and creating a brand known for shipping clothes or other retail items that are high quality, stylish, and meet the needs of the consumer can feel daunting. However, there are certain tips and tricks employed by some of the biggest brands on the market that help you stand out from the crowd and remain ‘on trend’ year-round.
Get a quote and ship with MSC today.
However, with so many companies occupying space within the retail industry, how do certain brands stand out? As a new business building a reputation and creating a brand known for shipping clothes or other retail items that are high quality, stylish, and meet the needs of the consumer can feel daunting. However, there are certain tips and tricks employed by some of the biggest brands on the market that help you stand out from the crowd and remain ‘on trend’ year-round.
Get a quote and ship with MSC today.
Runway Ready: The Fashion Industry's Global Footprint
China, the USA, the UK, Germany, and Japan make up some of the largest retail markets in the world. Not only are the markets themselves hugely dominant, but they are also incredibly interlinked. For example, China is the largest exporter of clothing and textiles worldwide, while the EU is the largest importer of these types of retail commodities (followed by the USA).
To facilitate these high levels of international fashion shipping consistently, it’s vital that businesses operating within the industry invest heavily in their supply chain and shipping practices. Working with a shipping company that offers worldwide trade routes is a great way of quickly connecting with your target market. Equally, you may utilize technology to monitor fashion trends and ship your cargo accordingly.
Whatever way you choose to optimize your supply chain, by working to prevent delays and disruptions you’ll be working to deliver the very best for your customers. This creates a positive brand reputation, which in turn can help your business grow to even greater proportions and allows more international trade.
Delivering Style: Top Tips for Successful Fashion Shipping
From shipping accessories to shipping shoes, there are certain steps that can be taken to enhance your approach to transporting clothes internationally.
Seasonal Planning
Working in the fashion and retail industry will mean you’re acutely aware of seasonal peaks, so use this knowledge to your advantage.
When it comes to holidays like Black Friday or Christmas shopping, it might be worthwhile looking for a shipping partner that can help you plan for these periods of high demand, or who offers door-to-door transportation services based on your needs. This helps you make certain you’re delivering the very best for your customers, which could help set you apart from the competition.
Technology and Tools
Digitalization in shipping is becoming ever more advanced. Technologies like order fulfilment software, inventory management, and real-time cargo tracking are being integrated into existing shipping platforms helping to increase efficiency and reduce the risk of errors.
As a business, this gives you even greater visibility about where your cargo is during transportation, allowing you to regularly update your customers and provide a better customer experience. Equally, increased data provides you with better insight into your customers, allowing you to adjust your order levels or delivery options accordingly.
Technology and Tools
Digitalization in shipping is becoming ever more advanced. Technologies like order fulfilment software, inventory management, and real-time cargo tracking are being integrated into existing shipping platforms helping to increase efficiency and reduce the risk of errors.
As a business, this gives you even greater visibility about where your cargo is during transportation, allowing you to regularly update your customers and provide a better customer experience. Equally, increased data provides you with better insight into your customers, allowing you to adjust your order levels or delivery options accordingly.
International Shipping Regulations
The import-export process is a critical part of the fashion industry, and as a business, you need to ensure that this stage of your supply chain is as smooth as possible.
Each country has its own regulations and rules around customs, and you should be aware of the specific ones for all your target markets. For example, when shipping fur internationally, there may certain procedures that must be followed throughout the transportation process. Working with an experienced international shipping partner can help reduce the stress of customs regulations, as they can support you with ensuring that all import duties and customs clearance documentation are filled out correctly ahead of your cargo’s arrival.
You can also utilize technology, like MSC’s eBL to make sure that all your documents are managed and available through one system. This helps avoid delays with your cargo and also minimizes stress for your business.
Shipping Options
You’ll be catering to a range of different consumers when shipping clothes internationally, and your shipping options can reflect this. If you’re shipping leather or other luxury goods, you may want to offer your customers additional security when it comes to your delivery options to provide them with peace of mind. Equally, if you’re cargo includes on-trend pieces that may go out of style more quickly, you’ll want to be able to provide express or expedited shipping options that you know can be delivered on time.
This is why working with a shipping partner who is not only experienced in shipping retail items internationally but also offers intermodal transportation solutions can help you offer a more diverse range of shipping options for your customers.
Shipping Options
You’ll be catering to a range of different consumers when shipping clothes internationally, and your shipping options can reflect this. If you’re shipping leather or other luxury goods, you may want to offer your customers additional security when it comes to your delivery options to provide them with peace of mind. Equally, if you’re cargo includes on-trend pieces that may go out of style more quickly, you’ll want to be able to provide express or expedited shipping options that you know can be delivered on time.
This is why working with a shipping partner who is not only experienced in shipping retail items internationally but also offers intermodal transportation solutions can help you offer a more diverse range of shipping options for your customers.
Utilize Local Warehousing
Utilizing local warehousing services can help to minimize your costs and reduce the distance your cargo needs to travel. This means you’ll be able to offer more cost-effective delivery options for your customers and ensure your cargo is delivered on time, encouraging return business.
Packaging
Where possible, using sustainable packaging and shipping practices also means you’re helping to reduce your company’s overall carbon footprint. Not only is this hugely beneficial for the environment but can also help set you apart from your competitors.
Specialize Shipping: GOH
When you are shipping clothes, garment on hanger (GOH) containers can be invaluable. Designed to ensure your clothing cargo is protected when shipping, GOH containers (available in both 20’ and 40’ depending on the size of your cargo) are filled with hooks that can be used during shipping.
There are two types of GOH containers, string and bar, both of which have different advantages depending on what type of cargo you’re shipping. These can also be used in combination with one another for the ultimate customization.
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String System |
Bar System |
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The string system utilizes a single row of horizontal bars with 20 ropes tied to them and hanging down vertically. From there your garments are hung from the ropes at equal distances before being shipped. |
For the bar system, GOH containers are fitted with moveable bars at flexible heights from which clothes are then hung. The bars used can hold between 300 and 500 kg and can be spaced according to the type of clothing cargo. |
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From shipping fur to feathers, at MSC we have decades of experience in retail shipping on a global scale. Not only do we offer GOH equipment for shipping clothes, but our local experts are always on hand to offer support through customs clearance and documentation. We work with you to understand the specific needs of your business and ensure you can deliver the best quality cargo to your customers.
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FAQs
What is the most important factor when shipping clothes internationally?
Other critical factors include:
• Speed to market
• Cost efficiency
• Quality preservation
How can seasonal planning improve my fashion shipping strategy?
Understanding and anticipating the impact of peak shopping seasons like Black Friday or Christmas means you can adjust your shipping schedules stock levels, and delivery options well in advance to help improve your shipping strategy.
Why are garment-on-hanger (GOH) containers useful?
GOH containers protect clothing during transport and allow garments to arrive ready-to-sell. As a result, As a result, the process becomes much faster from unloading to store-ready , as retailers don’t need to worry about post-shipping handling or steaming.