Packing & shipping
How apparel is packed for export — polybags, cartons and containers
Export apparel is folded to a standard, packed in individual polybags with a size sticker, then packed by size ratio into export cartons marked with shipping marks. Cartons go into containers by volume, and apparel almost always fills the space before it reaches the weight limit.
Key takeaways
- Each garment is folded, polybagged and size-stickered. Polybags are vented and printed with a suffocation warning.
- Cartons are packed by an agreed size ratio and carry shipping marks.
- Polos ship with collar stays, and two-piece sets are packed size-matched in one bag.
- Export orders add desiccant and moisture-proof labels.
- Typical container volumes: 20GP ≈ 33 m³, 40GP ≈ 67 m³, 40HQ ≈ 76 m³ (varies by carrier).
Step 1: fold and bag
Garments are folded to an agreed standard so they stack evenly. Each piece goes into its own OPP or PE polybag, vented and printed with a suffocation warning, and a size sticker goes on the bag.
Some products need extra handling.
- Polo shirts get collar stays (a butterfly insert or paper collar strip) so the collar is not crushed in transit, and a spare button is sewn to the care label.
- Hoodies are bulky, so they often go into heavier, larger bags and fewer fit in a carton.
- Two-piece sets are folded together in one bag with a set hangtag, so sizes never get mixed.
Step 2: pack the cartons
Cartons are packed either solid size (one size per carton) or assorted to an agreed size ratio. Each carton carries shipping marks, which give your warehouse what it needs to receive the carton without opening it. Export orders also get desiccant and moisture-proof labels against condensation on long sea journeys.
Step 3: load the container
| Container | Typical internal volume |
|---|---|
| 20GP (20’ standard) | ≈ 33 m³ |
| 40GP (40’ standard) | ≈ 67 m³ |
| 40HQ (40’ high cube) | ≈ 76 m³ |
Real loads come in below these volumes because cartons never fill every gap. Plan on loading efficiency of around 80–90%. Apparel is light for its size, so a container fills by volume long before it hits the weight limit.
Small shipments: LCL and air
An order well under a container, roughly under 15 m³, usually goes LCL (less than container load) and shares a container with other cargo. If speed matters more than cost, it goes by air.
Final thoughts
Packing decides how your goods arrive and how easily your warehouse can handle them. Put the folding method, polybag, size ratio, shipping marks and moisture protection in the tech pack, and check the packing list before the goods are loaded.