Guide · Shipping
How to ship clothes and shoes cheaply
When you give clothes away and the recipient pays postage, every ounce you save is money in their pocket. These are the packing habits that make the biggest difference.
By the Gift N Thrift team · Updated 2026-10-01 · SOTF Express Publishing, LLC
The two things that set the price: weight and size
Carriers price packages on weight, distance and, for bigger boxes, dimensions. For clothes, weight is usually the main factor, and prices jump at set breakpoints. For USPS Ground Advantage, the breakpoints under a pound are 4, 8, 12 and 15.99 oz; above a pound, it's priced by the pound.
That means a package at 8.2 oz can cost noticeably more than one at 7.9 oz. Weigh before you seal.
Use a poly mailer, not a box
For clothes, a plastic poly mailer is lighter than any box and usually cheaper to price. Tips:
- Choose the smallest mailer that closes without strain.
- Flat, non-expandable mailers are best. Gusseted (expandable) mailers may be measured like boxes.
- Reuse mailers from your own online orders. Just cover old labels and barcodes completely.
- Kids' clothes: a 10×13 in mailer fits a small bundle; 14×19 in fits a coat or bigger bundle.
Fold tight and push the air out
Fold each piece into a flat rectangle, stack, and press out the air before sealing. Rolling works too, but flat stacks pack more evenly into mailers. Skip tissue paper and hangers: they add weight and do nothing for clothing.
If you're worried about rain, put the clothes in a thin plastic bag (a produce bag works) inside the mailer.
Shipping shoes
Shoes are where people overpay. A shoebox inside a shipping box can push sneakers into a much higher price bracket.
- Ship without the shoebox when you can. Stuff the shoes with socks or paper so they hold shape, band them together, and use a sturdy poly mailer or a snug box.
- Clean the soles. Dirt adds weight and nobody wants it.
- Kids' shoes usually fit in a mailer under 1 lb.
- Boots and heavy work shoes may cost more to ship than their value to the recipient; offer pickup as well.
Typical packed weights
| Item | Approx. packed weight |
|---|---|
| Toddler tee or shorts | 3–5 oz |
| Toddler bundle, 6–8 summer pieces | 1–1.5 lb |
| Adult jeans | 1.3–1.8 lb |
| Hoodie or sweater | 1–1.5 lb |
| Kids' sneakers, no box | 10–14 oz |
| Adult sneakers, no box | 1.8–2.5 lb |
| Winter coat | 2–4 lb |
These are rough guides. Always weigh the actual package with a kitchen or postal scale.
How shipping works on Gift N Thrift
When you give an item away on Gift N Thrift with shipping enabled, you enter the packed weight and size when you list. The claimer sees a postage quote based on that and their ZIP code, and pays postage plus a $2 packing buffer and a $2.99 service fee. The item itself is $0. You get a label to print, pack it, and drop it off.
Accurate weight matters: under-estimating can mean a short-paid label. Weigh it packed, then round up slightly.
Pickup is always free on Gift N Thrift. Furniture and other bulky items are pickup only.
Quick checklist
- Clean and fold flat.
- Pick the smallest flat poly mailer.
- Press out air, seal, weigh.
- If you're just over a breakpoint, remove packing material or split the bundle.
- Attach the label flat, with no tape over the barcode.
- Drop off and mark it shipped.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way to ship clothes?
Usually a flat poly mailer sent by a ground service (such as USPS Ground Advantage), packed tightly and kept under the next weight breakpoint.
Should I ship shoes in the shoebox?
Only if the recipient wants the box. Without it, shoes often ship in a lighter, cheaper package.
Who pays shipping on Gift N Thrift?
The claimer: postage plus a $2 packing buffer and a $2.99 service fee. The donor pays nothing, and pickup is free.
