Garment export packaging is where damage rates run highest and attention runs lowest: a carton of damp shirts or a misprinted size mark can trigger a claim at the destination port. Garment export packaging requirements span four stages — inner packing, cartons, shipping marks and container loading — with different priorities for sea and air freight.
1. Inner Packing: Poly Bags & Moisture Control
- Pack each garment individually in a poly bag to keep it clean and shelf-ready
- Bags need ventilation holes and the choking warning 'Keep away from babies' — mandatory for US/EU exports
- For sea freight on tropical routes or rainy-season shipments, add desiccant (silica gel or mineral) inside the cartons
2. Carton Specs & Packing
| Point | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Carton grade | Use 5-ply corrugated cartons (BC flute) for export — crush- and moisture-resistant |
| Gross weight per carton | Keep it under 20-25kg for safe handling and fewer breakages |
| Packing quantity | Keep a uniform quantity per carton and record it on the packing list for inspection and distribution |
| Sealing | Reinforce with cross-strapping or stretch wrap; add corner protectors on heavy cartons |
3. Shipping Marks
The shipping mark is the first basis for sorting, customs clearance and claims at the destination. It should include at least: port of destination, order number, carton number (e.g. 1/50), gross/net weight, carton dimensions, style number and size breakdown. Add moisture and fragile warning icons on the sides.
4. Palletizing & Container Loading
- For sea freight, palletize on standard 1200×1000mm or 1200×800mm pallets, stretch-wrapped with corner protectors
- Calculate volume before loading: a 20GP holds about 28 CBM and a 40HQ about 68 CBM — plan the layout with actual carton dimensions
- Air freight bills on volumetric weight: for light bulky cargo, compress the packaging volume
- Leave 2-3cm gaps filled with air bags to prevent shifting and collapse in transit
5. Export Inspection & Documents
Garment exports usually need no statutory inspection, but most buyers run a pre-shipment inspection (e.g. AQL sampling). Shipping documents typically include: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin (as required by the destination). QC focuses on: labels matching the goods, size counts matching the packing list, and no stains or damage.
Dongguan TAGE Packaging offers the full range of garment packaging: poly bags, eco paper bags, hangtags, woven labels and care labels — we can put together an inner-packing solution for your export requirements, with sample-based customization. Contact us for packaging advice.
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