🚢 Shipping Guide

Clothing Shipping & Logistics: Complete Import Guide

By Sanchuan Apparel | March 20, 2026 | 13 min read

Shipping Methods Comparison

Method	Transit Time	Cost	Best For
Sea Freight (FCL)	3-5 weeks	$$$ (Lowest)	Large orders 5000+ pcs
Sea Freight (LCL)	4-6 weeks	$$$	Medium orders 500-5000 pcs
Air Freight	5-10 days	$$$$	Medium orders, time-sensitive
Express (DHL/FedEx)	3-5 days	$$$$$	Small orders, samples, urgent

Sea Freight

FCL vs LCL

📦 FCL (Full Container Load)

You get entire container
20ft: ~15,000 t-shirts or ~5,000 hoodies
40ft: ~30,000 t-shirts or ~10,000 hoodies
Lower per-unit cost
Faster (no consolidation needed)

📦 LCL (Less than Container Load)

Share container with other shippers
Good for 500-5000 pieces
Higher per-unit cost
Longer (consolidation time)
More handling = slightly higher damage risk

Sea Freight Transit Times

Destination	Transit Time	Door-to-Door
US West Coast	15-20 days	3-4 weeks
US East Coast	25-35 days	4-5 weeks
UK	28-38 days	5-6 weeks
Europe (Rotterdam)	25-35 days	4-5 weeks
Australia	15-20 days	3-4 weeks

Air Freight

When to Use Air Freight

✅ Urgent timeline needed
✅ Seasonal deadline approaching
✅ Order value justifies higher cost
✅ Order size under 500kg
✅ Testing new products

Air Freight Cost Estimates

Weight	Cost Range	Transit Time
Under 100kg	$4-8 per kg	5-7 days
100-500kg	$3-6 per kg	5-7 days
500kg+	$2.50-5 per kg	7-10 days

💡 Pro Tip

Air freight is charged by volumetric weight. Bulky items (hoodies) cost more than compact items (t-shirts) for the same weight.

Incoterms Explained

Common Shipping Terms

Term	Seller Responsibility	Buyer Pays
EXW	Makes goods available at factory	Everything from factory door
FOB	Delivers to port of origin	Ocean freight, insurance, customs
CIF	Delivers to destination port	Import customs, local delivery
DDP	Delivers to your door	Nothing (all included)

💡 Recommended: FOB for Most Brands

FOB (Free on Board) gives you control over shipping and often better rates if you work with a freight forwarder.

Customs & Duties

Import Duty Rates

Country	T-Shirt	Hoodie	Pants
USA	~16.5%	~28%	~16.6%
UK	12%	12%	12%
EU	12%	12%	12%
Australia	5%	5%	5%
Canada	18%	18%	18%

What You'll Pay

Import duty: Based on HS code classification
VAT/GST: Based on total value (goods + shipping + duty)
Customs fees: Broker fees, handling charges

HS Codes for Clothing

T-shirts: 6109.10 (cotton), 6109.90 (other)
Hoodies/Sweatshirts: 6110.20 (cotton), 6110.30 (man-made)
Pants/Trousers: 6203.42 (cotton), 6203.43 (synthetic)
Jackets: 6201.92 (cotton), 6201.93 (synthetic)

Working with Freight Forwarders

What Freight Forwarders Do

Book shipping space
Handle customs documentation
Arrange insurance
Coordinate pickup and delivery
Track shipments

How to Choose a Freight Forwarder

Experience with clothing/garments
Competitive rates
Good communication
Door-to-door service available
Insurance options

Shipping Documentation

Required Documents

Commercial Invoice: Value, quantity, HS codes
Packing List: Contents, weights, dimensions
Bill of Lading: Shipping contract, proof of shipment
Certificate of Origin: Where goods were made
Import License: If required by your country

Shipping Cost Calculator

Example: 1000 Hoodies to USA

Component	Sea Freight	Air Freight
Shipping cost	$400-600	$2,500-3,500
Insurance	$50-100	$75-150
Customs clearance	$200-400	$200-400
Import duty (~28%)	$560 (on $2000 value)	$560
Local delivery	$100-200	$50-100
Total	$1,310-1,860	$3,385-4,710
Per unit	$1.31-1.86	$3.39-4.71

Tips to Reduce Shipping Costs

Plan ahead: Use sea freight when possible
Order larger quantities: FCL cheaper than LCL per unit
Consolidate orders: Ship multiple styles together
Optimize packaging: Compress, vacuum pack
Compare forwarders: Get multiple quotes
Ship off-peak: Avoid holiday seasons

FAQ

What is the cheapest way to ship clothing from China?

Sea freight is cheapest: $0.50-2.00/unit depending on volume. Full container (FCL) cheaper than LCL. Air freight costs 3-5x more but faster. For small orders under 200kg, express courier (DHL, FedEx) may be more cost-effective than air freight. Plan ahead for sea freight to save costs.

How long does sea freight take from China?

Sea freight transit times: China to US West Coast: 15-20 days, US East Coast: 25-35 days, Europe: 25-35 days, UK: 28-38 days. Add 1-2 weeks for port processing, customs clearance, and final delivery. Total door-to-door: 4-6 weeks typically.

What are import duties on clothing?

Import duties on clothing vary by country and garment type. USA: 12-32% (t-shirts ~16.5%, hoodies ~28%), UK: 12% standard (VAT additional 20%), EU: 12% standard (VAT varies), Australia: 5% (GST 10%). Check HS codes for exact rates. Some countries have free trade agreements reducing rates.

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