A Few Tips for Packing and Shipping Shoes
Shoes are relatively easy to ship because they are typically reasonably sized, lightweight, not overly fragile, and not too expensive (with the exception of designer shoes). However, there are still some things you need to know if you want to save money on shipping shoes and make sure your package gets to its destination on time and in one peace. Let us offer you a few tips for packing and shipping footwear.
Of course, retailers that sell shows know all the nuances of shipping shoes to buyers and don’t need our advice. However, retailers aren’t the only ones who may need to mail shoes; people can ship shoes for a number of reasons, and these reasons don’t necessarily have anything to do with selling them. For example, people who are moving may want to ship some of their shoes to their new home. Sometimes people buy a pair of shoes as a gift for a friend or a loved one who lives across the country and need to ship their gift. Repair and return or exchange of goods are two more reasons why people may need to ship shoes.
Individuals who have never shipped shoes before may have some questions. For example, should you ship shoes in their original box or can you do without it? The choice of appropriate packaging depends on the type and quantity of shoes you’re shipping.
If you’re moving and need to ship multiple pairs of shoes, you may want to pack them all into a large box. In most cases, this will be cheaper than shipping each pair of shoes individually in a small package. If you’re shipping a single pair of shoes, their type is what you should base your choice on.
A single pair of lightweight, flat-soled shoes (for example, sandals, flats, flip flops, slippers) may be shipped in a simple padded envelope if it fits into one. However, you should keep in mind that envelopes usually have weight restrictions. Before placing you shoes in an envelope, check the weight restrictions on the carrier’s website and weigh the shoes.
High-heeled shoes, shoes in larger sizes, heavy shoes, and unusually shaped shoes are best shipped in boxes. It is advisable to place the shoes in their original box if you still have it, but you cannot use this box for shipping; you should place the shoe box inside a slightly bigger shipping box for extra protection (this is called double boxing).
If the original box is unavailable, that’s okay! You can simply place the shoes inside a sturdy shipping box and protect them with crumpled tissue paper, bubble wrap, or packing peanuts. Just make sure that the shoes fit comfortably into the box; there should be some space left for cushioning, but not too much of it.
If you’re shipping shoes via the USPS, you can make use of their Priority Mail Shoe Box. This type of box is specifically designed to ship footwear; it has the size of 7 1/2 x 5 1/8 x 14 3/8 inches and allows shippers to simply slide in a boxed pair of shoes for easy shipping. However, shoes that are bigger than size 13 or unusually shaped shoes may not fit into the box; keep it in mind when deciding whether you should get a shoe box from the USPS.
You can get a Priority Mail Shoe Box from the USPS store for free, but there is something you should now: since these boxes are primarily targeted at retailers, they come in packs of 10 or 25, so it’s impossible to order a single shoe box. Another thing to keep in mind is that you can’t ship shoes in a Priority Mail Shoe Box via, say, USPS Ground Advantage; if you get a Priority Mail box, you should be ready to pay a Priority Mail rate. Finally, the Priority Mail Shoe Box is not a flat rate box, so the cost of shipping will depend on the weight of your package.
Before shipping previously worn shoes, even if you only wore them once, you should clean them so they’re in pristine condition. Some shoes, like canvas shoes and athletic footwear, can be washed. If you’ve washed the shoes you’re shipping, make sure they are completely dry before packing them.
To prevent leather shoes from losing their shape, place shoe trees inside or at least stuff the shoes with crumpled tissue paper. Wrap each shoe individually in tissue paper; using bubble wrap or plastic wrap is not recommended because plastic can trap moisture, which is definitely not good for the shoes. Place the shoes in their original shoe box and then into the shipping box. If you don’t double box, fill any empty space inside the shipping box with packing peanuts or another cushioning material.
What is the cheapest way to ship shoes? For a single pair, the United States Postal Service is the most affordable option. We recommend that you choose flat rate shipping because it’s a simple and cost-effective shipping method for small boxes. However, if you’re shipping a large box with multiple pairs of shoes, you should weigh and measure it, calculate its dimensional weight, and compare all the shipping options available to you using our shipping calculator. This approach will help you to make the best choice.
Most shipping companies offer automatic coverage of up to $50–100 (the exact amount depends on the company and type of service). If you’re shipping expensive or irreplaceable shoes (designer, collector, vintage), you may want to purchase additional insurance in case of damage or loss.