Shipping shoes, bags, and coats: volume, shape, and weight
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
With coats, shoes, and bags, weight isn't your problem, but volume and shape are. This is how you determine what can be compressed and what packaging is suitable for it.
A winter coat weighs little but costs a lot to ship. A pair of sneakers also weighs little, but won't fit in any envelope. And a shoulder bag that you squash flat will arrive with a crease in the leather that won't come out. With bulky clothing and accessories, weight isn't the problem, but rather the combination of three things: how much space it takes up, whether it needs to maintain its shape, and whether it can withstand compression.
At the end of summer, many such items are cleared out. Wardrobes are turned inside out, summer shoes and coats are sold, and small webshop owners see their autumn collection arriving. This guide helps you choose the right packaging for each category – and shows where people most often waste money.
First, the question: can it be compressed?
Divide your shipment into two groups. The first group includes everything that can be compressed without damage: sweaters, T-shirts, scarves, regular coats, sportswear. The second group includes everything that must maintain its shape: shoes, structured bags, hats, anything with a padded or glued form.
This classification determines almost everything that follows. For group one, your goal is to make it as small and flat as possible, because every centimeter of volume adds to your shipping costs. For group two, your goal is to have enough space, because a flattened bag is worth less upon arrival.
In doubt? Gently compress the item and release. If it springs back completely, it belongs in group one. If a crease or dent remains, it belongs in group two.
Group one: coats, sweaters, and anything that can yield
Compress first, then choose your packaging. Roll the garment tightly instead of folding it – a roll is more compact and creates fewer sharp creases than a stack. Push the air out as you roll.
Then you'll want something to keep that roll in place and dry. A large bubble envelope does both: it's light, the exterior is foil, and its shape adapts to the contents. The 44 x 32 cm metallic purple bubble envelope (€0.90) is the largest size and suits a rolled-up coat or a thick sweater. For smaller items, the 33 x 26 cm metallic gold envelope (€0.90) or the 33 x 23 cm metallic envelope (€0.80) works well.
Two common mistakes here. First: filling an envelope to bursting. As soon as the sealing strip is under tension, it will come loose during transit. In that case, use a larger size or a box. Second: putting clothing directly into cardboard without foil around it. Cardboard absorbs moisture and transfers it to textiles.
Group two: shoes and bags that must maintain their shape
The same question always comes up with shoes: do you include the original shoebox or not? The honest answer is that it depends on your buyer. For sneakers and branded shoes, the box contributes to the value, and the buyer expects it. For regular shoes, the box is primarily extra volume that you pay for.
If you include the shoebox, always pack it in something else. A shoebox is not a shipping box: the cardboard is thin, the lid slides off, and sticking a shipping label on it makes it unsaleable. Place it in a 15 x 15 x 15 cm cardboard shipping box (€1.99) if it fits, and fill the surrounding space. If sending multiple pairs or large sizes, the 480 x 430 x 330 mm moving box (€3.50) is the cheapest way to transport that volume.
If you don't include the box, pad the shoes yourself. Loosely stuff each shoe with foil or paper so that the toe retains its shape, wrap them individually so they don't rub against each other, and place them with the soles together. This way, they take up the least space.
The same principle applies to bags: stuff the bag until it holds its own shape, close it, and only then wrap it. Wrap straps, chain handles, and buckles separately – metal lying loose against leather or fabric will leave marks.
Padding and foil: which roll do you buy?
For this category, more foil will be used than for small items, because you're not just protecting but also filling. Factor that into your purchase.
Rule of thumb: padding used to fill space can be reused from incoming packages. Padding that is directly against the product should be clean and intact.
Then weigh your package before buying a shipping label, and also measure the external dimensions. Many carriers calculate the weight of voluminous shipments by converting dimensions to weight; the exact rules vary per carrier and per rate, so check the rates page of the party you're shipping with before choosing a size.
If something expensive is included – designer shoes, a branded bag – a VOID security seal (60 pieces, €9.95) is a small investment. If removed, a visible trace remains, strengthening your position if a buyer claims the package arrived empty or opened.
What you'll remember
First, determine if the item can be compressed. This will dictate your packaging.
Compress what can be compressed: roll, don't fold.
Pad items that need to maintain their shape, and wrap metal parts separately.
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