Packing & shipping: prepare the order for its destination
Protect the garments, organise the assortment and align the shipment documents with the order. Delivery planning starts with the destination and required arrival date, not with a full carton.
Make packing instructions specific to your selling channel
Packing requirements should describe how the goods will be received and handled. An order going into a retail warehouse may need a different assortment, barcode placement or carton mark from one going directly to a distributor. Share the destination's instructions before packing begins.
Confirm folding, individual packaging, labels, hangtags and the colour-size assortment. Where barcodes or SKU labels are required, provide the approved data and artwork; the printed label should be checked against that source rather than reconstructed from informal messages.
- Folding method, garment protection and individual packaging.
- Approved label, hangtag and barcode information.
- Carton assortment, quantity per carton and shipping marks.
Outcome: a packing specification that matches the order and the receiving workflow.
Reconcile the goods, carton count and documents
Before dispatch, compare the packed quantity with the order and the packing list. Check the style, colour and size breakdown, carton numbers and the agreed shipment marks. Record any approved difference so the receiving team is not left to interpret it on arrival.
Review the commercial invoice and packing list together. Product descriptions, quantities, carton counts and other agreed details should be consistent. Destination-specific documents or requirements need to be identified with the buyer and appointed logistics parties; a standard packing list does not cover every import requirement.
- Match order quantities to the packed colour and size assortment.
- Confirm carton identification, gross and net weights where required.
- Check the invoice, packing list and agreed supporting documents.
Outcome: a reconciled shipment record that supports dispatch and receiving.
Plan the handover and the journey separately
A production completion date is not an arrival date. When planning delivery, allow separately for packing readiness, booking, handover, transit and destination clearance. Confirm the shipping method and responsibilities against the agreed delivery terms.
If you appoint a forwarder, share the contact, booking instructions and required handover information in advance. If transport is included in the quotation, confirm its scope and assumptions. After dispatch, the transport reference and shipment documents should follow the agreed communication plan.
- Before dispatch: destination, required arrival date, method and delivery terms.
- At handover: pickup or booking instructions and receiving contact.
- After dispatch: shipment reference, documents and follow-up arrangements.
Discuss your order and destination with the planned assortment and delivery target so packing and logistics requirements are part of the project from the start.