International Shipping of Clothing, Footwear, and Personal Belongings
The clothing market in Ukraine has significantly expanded in recent years. Despite high competition, many entrepreneurs own clothing and footwear stores and run successful businesses. If there is no local manufacturing, businesses often turn to importing apparel from abroad. However, there are certain nuances when it comes to shipping clothing, which we’ll explore below.
What Can Be Shipped Abroad
We transport a wide range of goods:
- Clothing: Everyday wear, designer items, workwear, and specialized apparel such as wedding suits, evening gowns, and sportswear.
- Footwear and Accessories: From casual to designer shoes, as well as bags, belts, wallets, and accessories like scarves, hats, and sunglasses. Special packaging is used for these items.
- Commercial Cargo: Clothing and footwear for resale, warehouse stock, fashion show collections, and other business-related items.
Methods of International Clothing and Footwear Transportation
ETS offers various delivery options, including:
- Road Transportation: Ideal for consolidated shipments within Europe and CIS countries. This is a cost-effective and reliable method, with delivery times ranging from 2 to 7 days. Containers are used for large consignments.
- Air Freight: Used for high-value or urgent shipments, delivering anywhere globally within 1 to 4 days. Best suited for designer fashion items. Preparation time and customs clearance at airports should be factored in.
- Sea Freight (Container Shipping): A cost-efficient option for bulk footwear shipments or large clothing batches for retail stores. Premium garments are shipped in hanger-equipped containers. Moisture-protection measures include desiccant bags and vapor barriers.
- Express Delivery: A budget-friendly solution for small shipments (up to 3–5 pallets). Multiple senders share one vehicle, lowering costs.
Shipping and Packaging Requirements
High-quality packaging materials are essential to protect against moisture, dust, and mechanical damage — especially for leather items and natural fabrics. Required materials include:
- Everyday apparel: Polyethylene bags, cardboard boxes, and vacuum bags to reduce volume.
- Delicate/designer clothing: Fabric garment bags, acid-free paper, and special hanger boxes.
- Footwear: Individual boxes with dividers, silicone inserts, and moisture absorbers.
- Additional protection: Bubble wrap, packing tape, and proper labeling for identification.
Customs Clearance for Shipments
Shipping clothing requires standard documentation:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Transport documents
- Import/export declarations
Additional documents may include:
- Certificate of origin
- Conformity certificates
- Import permits
- ATA Carnets
Import duties depend on the destination country and product type. VAT and other fees (e.g., clearance, inspection, excise) may apply. Customs restrictions prohibit counterfeit branded goods (IP violations), and items made from fur or leather of endangered species.
We assist with estimating costs and avoiding customs-related issues, ensuring a seamless shipping process and helping choose the best transport tariff.
How ES-Trans Ensures Shipping Security
We prioritize safety and integrity of your shipment:
- GPS Tracking: Real-time monitoring of cargo location, allowing immediate responses to changes.
- Full Insurance: Coverage for international shipments to protect against export risks.
Global Delivery Coverage
We ship to numerous destinations, including:
- Europe: Poland, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, UK, and more — offering fast and reliable deliveries.
- USA & Canada: To any state or province, with deep knowledge of North American customs and logistics.
- Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and others — a vital destination for business cargo.
International Clothing & Footwear Shipping Stages
We offer a full range of logistics services through every shipping stage:
- Request & Consultation: Contact us to discuss your needs and get advice from our experts. We help select the best delivery option and calculate the cost.
- Cargo Preparation & Packaging: Prepare and securely package your goods. Our team can assist if needed.
- Customs Clearance: We help with documentation and navigate customs. Our experts are well-versed in international regulations.
- Transport by Selected Method: We handle the delivery using your chosen method — by truck, air, sea, or courier. Our partners ensure safe and timely deliveries.
- Delivery to Recipient: The recipient receives the goods within the agreed timeframe, with ensured cargo integrity.
We ensure that cargo is delivered on time and intact during international shipments of goods. Leave a request on our website in the “Contacts” section, and our managers will call you back to coordinate all details.
Useful Information
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
We ship to Europe, Asia, the USA, Canada, and more.
We offer road, air, and sea options, depending on urgency and budget.
Yes, air freight is available for fast delivery.
Invoice, packing list, transport documents, and customs declaration are typically required.
In some cases, depending on destination and cargo value.
Yes, limits depend on transport type and recipient country’s customs rules.
It depends on weight, dimensions, destination, transport type, and extra services.
Yes, we offer full insurance for added protection.
Varies by country and transport method — typically a few days to a few weeks.
Yes, we ship branded apparel and footwear with proper documentation.
Use boxes or bags, apply labels, and protect from moisture.
Yes, simply provide the documents and pass the items to our courier or logistics hub.
You’ll receive a tracking number for status updates.
Yes, we offer express delivery for urgent shipments.
Fill out our form on the website or contact our manager to calculate cost and arrange transport.