How to Ship Clothes: Poly Mailer vs Box, and What Size You Need
Which mailer fits a tee, jeans, a hoodie, or a coat, when a box is actually worth it, and how to pack clothing so it arrives clean, dry, and cheap to ship.
Quick answer: Fold the item flat, put it in a clear plastic bag, and ship it in the smallest poly mailer it fits without straining. A 10 x 13 inch mailer fits most tees and leggings, and a 12 x 15.5 inch mailer fits jeans and hoodies. Save boxes for structured pieces, items with hardware, delicate or expensive clothing, and orders that include shoes.
Clothing is the easiest thing to ship and the easiest thing to overpay on. Fabric doesn't break, so it doesn't need the padding a mug or a record does. What it does need is protection from water, dirt, and snags, and packaging that adds as little weight as possible. That's why most clothing resellers on Poshmark, Depop, and eBay ship in poly mailers rather than boxes.
Poly mailer vs box for clothes
A poly mailer weighs a fraction of an ounce. A small box can add several ounces, and when you're shipping something light like a t-shirt, those extra ounces can push your package into a higher price tier. USPS Ground Advantage prices light packages in steps (up to 4, 8, 12, and just under 16 ounces), so a box can turn an 8-ounce package into a 12-ounce one.
Boxes also take up more space, and larger boxes can be priced by size instead of weight. A soft garment in a big box is paying to ship air.
| Use a poly mailer for | Use a box for |
|---|---|
| T-shirts, tanks, and tops | Blazers, suits, and tailored coats that shouldn't be folded hard |
| Jeans, pants, and leggings | Items with sharp hardware, studs, sequins, or beading |
| Hoodies and sweatshirts | Delicate or high-value designer pieces |
| Dresses and skirts without heavy embellishment | Bundles that include shoes, belts, or other hard items |
| Swimwear, activewear, and socks | Hats with a stiff brim that shouldn't be crushed |
Poly mailer or bubble mailer?
A plain poly mailer is enough for most clothing. A bubble (padded) mailer is worth it when a garment has buttons, embellishments, or small accessories that could get crushed, or when you're shipping a small item like a scarf with jewelry. It weighs a bit more, so don't use one out of habit.
What size poly mailer for clothes
These are the standard poly mailer sizes resellers stock. Measure your item after folding it, then pick the smallest mailer that closes without stretching the seal.
| Mailer size | What usually fits |
|---|---|
| 6 x 9 in | Socks, underwear, ties, small accessories |
| 10 x 13 in | One folded t-shirt, tank, leggings, a light top, swimwear |
| 12 x 15.5 in | Jeans, hoodies, sweaters, dresses, two or three tees |
| 14.5 x 19 in | Light jackets, heavier sweaters, small bundles |
| 19 x 24 in | Puffer and winter coats, large bundles |
A mailer that's much too big lets the item shift and fold over on itself, which causes wrinkles and leaves loose plastic to catch on sorting machines. A mailer that's too small strains the seal and can split open. Snug is the goal.
How to package clothes for shipping
Step 1. Fold soft clothes and slip them into a poly mailer.
Step 2. Heavier or bulky pieces: bag them, then box them.
Step 3. Seal it up and it's ready to ship.
- Check and photograph the item. Lint-roll it, check pockets, and take a quick photo of its condition before packing. It's your proof if a buyer says it arrived damaged.
- Fold it flat and neat. Fold to the width of the mailer so it lies flat. For items that wrinkle easily, roll them loosely instead of folding. A sheet of tissue paper between folds helps prevent sharp creases.
- Put it in a clear plastic bag. Mailers are water-resistant, but a seam or a torn corner can let rain in. A simple clear bag inside the mailer keeps the item dry. Many resellers skip this step and regret it the first time a package sits in the rain.
- Add a note, if you like. A short thank-you note is a nice touch on Poshmark and Depop and can help with reviews. Keep it light so it doesn't add weight.
- Slide it into the mailer and seal it. Press out the extra air before sealing. If the mailer is a little long, fold the extra flap under and tape it down so it can't snag.
- Weigh it before you buy the label. A small kitchen or shipping scale pays for itself quickly. Being an ounce over a price tier costs money every time, and being under-weighed can mean postage due for your buyer.
- Label it. Put the label flat on the largest side with no wrinkles across the barcode.
Shipping clothes on Poshmark, Depop, and eBay
Poshmark sends you a prepaid label, so you don't choose the service or pay by weight up to the label's limit. The goal is a neat, clean package that stays under that limit. Bundles of heavy items like coats or jeans are the ones to weigh.
Depop and eBay let you choose your packaging and often your service, so mailer choice directly affects what you or your buyer pays. For most single clothing items, a poly mailer with USPS Ground Advantage is the cheapest option. Enter your real weight and size when you list so the shipping price is accurate.
For bundles of several pieces, compare a large poly mailer against a box. Soft clothing compresses well, so a big mailer usually wins.
Common mistakes when shipping clothes
Using a box for a t-shirt. It adds weight and size for no extra protection. Fabric doesn't need a box.
Skipping the inner bag. Rain and dirt get through torn or poorly sealed mailers. A clear bag costs pennies.
Guessing the weight. A few ounces over a price tier adds up fast across dozens of sales. Weigh every package.
Leaving loose flaps and extra plastic. Long, loose mailer ends catch on sorting equipment and tear. Fold and tape them down.
Shipping shoes and clothes in one mailer. Hard items can tear through a poly mailer. Bundles with shoes belong in a box.
Clothing shipping supplies checklist
If you sell clothing regularly, these are the supplies worth buying in bulk:
- Poly mailers in 10 x 13 and 12 x 15.5 inches. These two sizes cover most clothing sales.
- Large poly mailers in 14.5 x 19 or 19 x 24 inches for coats and bundles.
- Clear plastic bags to keep items dry inside the mailer.
- Bubble mailers for items with buttons, embellishments, or accessories.
- Tissue paper for wrinkle-prone or nicer pieces.
- A shipping scale so you never guess at weight.
- A few small boxes for structured pieces and bundles with shoes.
Not sure if your folded item fits a mailer or needs a box?
Enter its measurements in the free BoxSizeFit calculator to see which boxes, bubble mailers, and carrier envelopes it fits.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to ship clothes in a poly mailer or a box?
A poly mailer is almost always cheaper. It weighs much less than a box, which can keep a light package in a lower price tier.
What size poly mailer do I need for a t-shirt?
A 10 x 13 inch mailer fits most folded t-shirts. Hoodies and jeans usually need 12 x 15.5 inches.
When should I ship clothes in a box instead of a mailer?
For structured pieces like blazers, items with sharp hardware or beading, delicate or high-value clothing, and bundles that include shoes.
Should I use a bubble mailer or a poly mailer for clothes?
A poly mailer is fine for most clothing. Use a bubble mailer when the item has buttons, embellishments, or small accessories that could get crushed.
How do I keep clothes from wrinkling in the mail?
Fold to the mailer's width so the item lies flat, use a snug mailer so it can't shift, and add tissue paper between folds for wrinkle-prone fabrics. Rolling works well for knits and casual wear.
Do I need to put clothes in a plastic bag inside the mailer?
It's not required, but it's cheap insurance against rain and dirt if the mailer gets torn.