Compress, do not oversize
Vacuum bags and a tight carton beat a half-empty box every time. Dimensional weight is billed whether or not the space is used.
Clothing
How much does it cost to ship clothes?
Between $9.85 and $13.29 for the four boxes below — a single hoodie, a winter parka, two pairs of jeans, and a box of ten t-shirts. Everything in the tables below was quoted through the SMKlog calculator on 2026-07-24. The prices are all-in — the carrier label plus what SMKlog charges — and nothing is added at checkout.
Live parcel ratesReal quotes, datedTracking included
Every number here is a real quote
Prices on this page came out of the SMKlog calculator on 2026-07-24 for the exact boxes and routes listed. Run yours for today's rate.
Real quotes, real models
| What we typed | Packed box | Route | Cheapest quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box of ten folded cotton t-shirts | 12 × 10 × 6 in 6.6 lb packed | Berkeley Heights, NJ to Chicago, IL | $13.29 USPS Ground Advantage |
| Carhartt hooded sweatshirt folded in a small box | 12 × 8 × 4 in 1.5 lb packed | Berkeley Heights, NJ to Atlanta, GA | $10.72 UPS Ground Saver |
| Winter down parka jacket packed in a box | 18 × 14 × 6 in 3.3 lb packed | Berkeley Heights, NJ to Denver, CO | $9.85 USPS Ground Advantage |
| Two pairs of Levi 501 jeans in a box | 12 × 8 × 4 in 3.3 lb packed | Berkeley Heights, NJ to Austin, TX | $9.85 USPS Ground Advantage |
Clothes are light and bulky, which means the box decides the price almost entirely. Ten folded t-shirts weigh about 6 lb but fill a 12 × 10 × 6 in carton; a single hoodie in a smaller box costs less than half as much.
What changes the price
Poly mailer versus box
A mailer is lighter and cheaper for one or two soft items. Anything with structure — a leather jacket, a suit, a wedding dress — needs a box so it arrives in the shape it left in.
Bulk is where it pays
Ten shirts in one box cost far less per shirt than ten separate mailers. If you sell clothing, batching to one buyer is the single biggest saving available.
Common questions
How much does it cost to ship clothes?
$9.85 to $13.29 for the four real boxes quoted here, on medium-length domestic lanes. A single garment sits at the bottom of that range, a full box of ten at the top.
Is it cheaper to ship clothes in a bag or a box?
A poly mailer is usually a dollar or two cheaper for one or two soft items because it is smaller and lighter. Structured or valuable clothing still belongs in a box.
How much does a box of clothes weigh?
About 0.5 to 0.7 lb per folded t-shirt, 1.5 to 2 lb for a hoodie, 1.5 lb per pair of jeans, and 3 to 4 lb for a winter parka, plus the box itself. The quotes above used exactly those numbers.
Can I use vacuum bags?
Yes, and for bulky items it is the cheapest saving there is. Do not compress anything structured — suits, formal dresses and leather come out creased or damaged.
What about shipping clothes for a move?
Multiple medium boxes usually beat one large one once dimensional weight and oversize charges are counted. Quote both before you pack.