Clothing is the single most common thing our customers send overseas. Every week we pack lawn suits for sisters in Birmingham, sherwanis for weddings in Toronto, school uniforms for children in Dubai and embroidered shawls for online buyers in the United States. Clothes are easy to ship, but a few simple habits make the difference between a parcel that arrives in four days and one that waits at customs for two weeks.
Why clothing parcels get delayed
Customs officers in every country want to know exactly what is in the box and what it is worth. Clothing parcels are often described as "personal items" or "clothes" with a round value such as 50 dollars. That description tells customs nothing. When officers cannot judge the contents, they hold the parcel and ask the receiver for more information. The fix is simple: describe each type of garment, the quantity, the material and a realistic value.
How to describe clothes on the invoice
A good invoice lists every kind of item on its own line. For example:
- Women's unstitched lawn suits, cotton, 3 pieces
- Men's cotton kurta shalwar, 2 pieces
- Girl's embroidered frock, polyester, 1 piece
- Leather sandals, 1 pair
Write the material whenever you can, because duty rates for cotton, silk and synthetic fabric are different in many countries. If the clothes are a gift, say so, and if they are being sold to a customer, mark the shipment as commercial. Our booking system prints the invoice for you from these details, so you only need to tell our team what is inside.
What value should you declare?
Declare what the items are really worth, which is normally what you paid for them. Under-declaring is tempting because it may reduce the duty the receiver pays, but it is risky. Customs officers know the market prices of Pakistani designer clothing very well, especially in the UK and the Gulf, and an unrealistic value is one of the main reasons a parcel is stopped. A correct value also matters if something goes wrong: compensation and insurance are based on the declared value.
Bridal and formal wear
Wedding outfits are often the most valuable items in a parcel, both in money and in meaning. For these we recommend a few extra steps:
- Fold the outfit carefully with tissue paper between the layers so the embroidery and stones do not catch on each other.
- Place it in a clean plastic bag to protect it from moisture, then in a strong box rather than a soft envelope.
- Declare the full value and add shipment insurance. The small extra cost protects you completely if the parcel is lost or damaged.
- Send it early. Do not plan a wedding outfit to arrive two days before the event. Allow at least a week of extra time for customs and delivery.
Packing tips that reduce your cost
International couriers charge by chargeable weight, which is the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Clothes are light but can take up a lot of space, so a loosely packed box can cost far more than it needs to. Roll or fold clothes tightly, use a box that fits the contents, and remove bulky hangers and empty shoe boxes. Vacuum bags work well for winter clothes and blankets. If you are not sure which box size is cheapest, bring the clothes to our office and we will pack them for you.
Shoes, bags and accessories
Shoes and leather bags are usually fine to send. Clean shoes before packing, especially if they have been worn, because some countries such as Australia inspect footwear for soil. Leather products should be declared as leather. Artificial jewelry can travel with clothing, but real gold, silver and precious stones are restricted by most carriers and need special arrangements.
What not to put in a clothing parcel
People often add small extras to a clothing box, and these extras cause most problems. Do not hide food, medicines, perfume, cash, mobile phones or batteries between the clothes. Perfume and batteries are restricted on aircraft, and food and medicines need separate approval in many countries. If you want to send any of these, tell us first so we can check whether they are allowed and declare them correctly. Our shipping restrictions page lists the most common problem items.
Country notes
Each destination has its own habits. The UK charges VAT on most goods, and gifts above a small allowance are taxed, so the receiver should expect a payment request. The European Union charges import VAT on practically every parcel from outside the EU. The Gulf countries usually clear clothing parcels quickly when they are properly described. In the United States and Canada the receiver may pay duty and a handling fee. You can read more on our pages for the United Kingdom, USA and UAE.
Quick checklist
- Each type of garment listed with quantity and material
- Real value declared, with insurance for expensive outfits
- Clothes packed tightly in a box that fits
- No food, medicine, perfume or batteries hidden inside
- Receiver's full address and phone number with country code
Ready to send? Check the price for your destination in our rate calculator, or message us on WhatsApp and we will collect the parcel from your home in Lahore.