Shipping shoes is simple and relatively inexpensive, so it can be a pretty easy way to make some extra money with minimal time and effort. Knowing how to ship shoes the right way can ensure you get the most bang for your buck.
Whether you’re a small business owner who runs an eCommerce operation, or you’re reselling and flipping shoes on a smaller scale, packaging and shipping shoes and accessories correctly is crucial to making your efforts worth it.
Even beyond the actual packing, investing in quality packaging like apparel boxes and tissue paper is a great way to show customers you value them. But it’s more than that – it’s also a way to make sure they know you value their experience, from the moment they click on your website, right up to the point that they’re finally able to unbox their purchase.
Wondering how to get started shipping shoes? Check out our favorite tips for how to package shoes for shipping.
Packaging Supplies
The best way to ship shoes, or anything for that matter, is simply by being prepared with the proper supplies. Making sure you have all of the following on hand means you’ll be able to quickly, efficiently and effectively package shoes to be shipped.
While it’s inevitable that every so often things will be damaged during shipment, properly packing can help secure products and greatly reduce the risk of damage.
If you regularly ship products, make sure you always have the following on hand:
- Box
- Tape
- Scissors
- Cushioning Materials
- Mailing Labels
1. Clean Shoes Before Packaging
Before shipping shoes, you want to first clean them so they’re pristine when they arrive to your customer. Clean and condition shoes using a conditioning product to give them a lustrous shine. You can use our cost-efficient (and good for the environment!) recycled rags to really get shoes sparkling. Use an old toothbrush or another bristled brush to scrub the soles. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work well too!
Once your shoes are clean, take a picture of them so you have a record for an insurance claim if needed.
2. Pick The Best Box
With the right box, you’ll be able to keep all your products (not just shoes) safe and secure by avoiding excessive shifting during shipments. If you also sell accessories like laces, shoe horns and shoe trees, consider what type of packaging would best suit the size and shape of these items without adding too much weight. Remember, the heavier the package, the more it will cost to ship. Apparel boxes are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes so you can get the perfect box for all your needs, whether you’re shipping shoes or anything else.
If at all possible, you want to use the original shoe box too. Simply place that box into a larger shipping box.
3. Stuff Tissue Paper Around the Shoes
While it’s up to customers to keep their shoes in good condition once they receive them, help them start out on the right foot by stuffing tissue paper, bubble wrap or packing peanuts around the shoes before you pack them up. Especially if you’re shipping shoes with sharp heels, buckles, sequins or other embellishments that may become damaged along the way, you really want to keep the shoes as stable as possible.
This will also help shoes keep their shape and prevent them from getting scraped or scuffed while they’re on their way to their final destination
4. Use Shoe Trees
If you’re sending shoes out from your home or store, it’s a good idea to use appropriately-sized shoe trees to keep footwear looking brand new. Since shoe trees can help keep the toe box of shoes from sagging and preserve the integrity of leather, they’re a good investment for keeping inventory looking in brand new condition.
5. Package Oddly Shaped Shoes or Accessories with Cushioning
If you’re shipping shoes or other items that aren’t conveniently shaped, you’ll want to use cushioning materials to make sure nothing bends or breaks. While filler like bubble wrap or packing peanuts are a welcome addition to any shoe packaging, they’re also useful if you need to keep odd-shaped loose objects like shoe horns or shoe trees from moving around too much in the box.
What’s the Cheapest Way to Ship Shoes?
Of course you want to make the most profit possible, so finding the cheapest way to ship shoes is important. You can choose any of the usual shipping routes: USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc., but generally, we’ve found you’ll be able to get the best rates through the United States Post Office. You may even be able to ship priority or use flat rate shipping boxes to make sure you’re paying the least amount while still getting fast delivery and quick turn around for your customers.
Find The Shoe Shipping Supplies You Need at Paper Mart!
When packed properly, shipping shoes can be an easy way to make some extra money. Learn more about the best ways to pack and ship shoes, and get all the supplies you need at Paper Mart today. Visit Paper Mart online to browse our huge selection of affordable shipping and packaging products.
This is some really good information about packaging. I liked that you explained that when packaging shoes you want to have good cushioning for the horn of the shoes. It might also be smart to get custom packaging made for your product.
I know I always appreciate it when my packages arrive with proper padding and protection. You make a good point about wrapping shoes in tissue paper to stop them from getting scuffed. Small things like this prove to me the company cares about their product.