How to Package and Ship Shoes

noissue Custom Shoe Box and Custom Drawstring Bag

If you're in the business of selling shoes, you’ll know that shipping them can sometimes be complicated. Customers want affordable shipping and are disappointed when their order isn’t in perfect condition, so it’s crucial that footwear and clothing retailers know how to ship shoes securely and cost-effectively.

Luckily, our step-by-step guide on how to ship shoes with boxes, will help you keep customers happy. Whether you’re just starting out or have been selling shoes for years, read on for some helpful advice and cost-saving tips on the shoe shipping process.

What box should you use for shipping shoes?

While you can ship shoes in plain RSC (regular slotted container) cartons, we recommend using custom hinged shoe boxes. Custom corrugated boxes get your brand in front of customers while being cost-effective, durable, and sustainable.

Marketing

Your shoe packaging is an important marketing tool. It’s the first thing customers see when they receive their purchase, so you want it to be eye-catching. A branded corrugated box adds to the unboxing experience and encourages customers to share their purchase on social sites.

At noissue, we offer highly customizable shoe boxes for footwear and clothing retailers. Add a logo, brand colors, personalized art, and messages to make your boxes stand out!

Learn more about how to design a custom shoe box for your brand.

Durability and affordability

With a variety of standard sizes, you’ll find a shoe box that provides a snug fit for nearly any type of footwear. By minimizing box size, you keep your shoes safe from knocks and drops in transit without excess cushioning. You’ll also save on the price of shipping!

If you want to add an additional protective layer or keep the package private, you can double-package the shoe box inside a shipping carton; just keep in mind that the heavier the package, the greater the shipping cost.

Sustainability

Cardboard corrugated boxes are both recyclable and compostable, making them a sustainable packaging solution. If you’re extra conscious of your environmental impact, opt for FSC-certified cardboard sourced from sustainably managed forests.

noissue’s custom shoe boxes contain a mix of FSC-certified cardboard and recycled materials: up to 60% recycled matter for kraft or white corrugated boxes and up to 30% for premium white boxes. The hinged design is easy to open, making them easier for customers to reuse at home.

How do you pack shoes for shipping?

Whether you’re sending lightweight sandals or chunky sneakers, learn the best way to ship shoes for footwear and clothing retailers.

1. Choose the right box

Start by measuring the single pair of shoes and selecting a shoe box with a comfortable fit. Too loose, and they may shift around during transit; too tight, and they could get damaged.

If you end up with a bit of extra space in the box, consider using these eco-friendly alternatives to bubble wrap.

2. Secure the box with tape

If you’re shipping a hinged shoe box without any exterior packaging, we recommend securing each seam with packing tape. This ensures the box stays shut during transit, protecting the shoes until they reach the customer.

To seal your box, run packing tape along all opening edges, press firmly to secure adhesion, and reinforce any weak points with an additional strip across the center.

3. Place the shoes inside the box

For extra protection during transit, carefully wrap the shoes with acid-free tissue paper. Seal the paper with a custom sticker or washi tape.

Place the shoes inside the shoe box, either sole-down or on their side. If there’s still a bit of empty space, add some more tissue paper to prevent shifting during shipment. You could also add a custom recycled card or sticker to add to the unboxing experience!

4. Seal the box shut

Close the box and securely seal it with gummed packing tape. Your boxed pair of shoes is now ready for the shipping label.

For additional protection and privacy, you can place the shoe box in a larger corrugated carton or a compostable poly mailer.

How do you pack several pairs of shoes in one box?

Customers typically expect shoes to come with their original box, so if you’re shipping multiple pairs of shoes, you’ll want to consolidate the individual shoe boxes into a larger shipping carton. You can always cut a larger carton down to size or fill any void space with crumpled tissue paper to prevent the shoe boxes from knocking around.

You could also let customers opt for reduced packaging on your online store, and simply place the wrapped shoes without their boxes in a larger shipping carton. This lowers weight and size, though you might need extra packing materials to protect the pairs.

How do you ship specific types of footwear?

Some shoes require extra care for them to safely reach the customer to wear:

How to ship sneakers

Sneakers often hold collectible value, so double-boxing is your best bet at preserving the shoes and the original box. Place the shoe box inside a slightly larger shipping box, padding with tissue paper or bubble wrap alternatives around all sides for more protection.

How to ship boots

Boots are one of the heavier and larger shoe types, so it’s important to use a sturdy box. noissue shoe box packaging is durable and accommodates sizes up to 10 x 14 x 5 “, ideal for many ankle or mid-height boots. Stock taller or bulkier styles? You can order custom-sized shoe boxes wholesale for all your shipping needs.

How to ship high heels

High heels are delicate shoes that require ample packing material to protect the heel tips, straps, and decorative elements. Wrap each shoe individually with eco-friendly bubble wrap or foam and support the heel with additional cushioning so it doesn’t snap or bend. Place the wrapped heels in a snug box, then fill gaps with lightweight padding.

What are some tips for saving money on shipping shoes?

Follow these tips to learn the cheapest way to ship shoes:

• Use lightweight packaging and avoid oversized boxes to save on shipping costs.
• Remove unnecessary layers of packing material to lower package weight.
• Ship multiple pairs of shoes in one larger shipping carton if possible.
• Compare shipping costs from different carriers to find the most cost-effective shipping method.

How much does it cost to ship shoes?

The cost of shipping a boxed pair of shoes varies depending on weight, size, distance, and shipping service:

• Weight: Heavier shoes increase postage, but flat rate shipping can keep costs predictable when the weight is on the higher end. Most casual shoes weigh between 1.5 and 3 pounds.
• Size: Larger boxes mean greater dimensional weight charges, so try to minimize packaging size where possible.
• Distance: Longer delivery zones raise rates, especially for services that price by distance.
• Shipping service: USPS is often the most affordable option for small packages like shoes, while UPS and FedEx cost more but offer quicker delivery.

The cheapest way to ship shoes domestically is typically through the United States Postal Service. For a standard pair of shoes that weighs around 2 pounds, you’ll usually pay around $9 to $15 through USPS Priority Mail.

Learn more about USPS, UPS, and FedEx shipping requirements.

How do you ship shoes internationally?

While USPS, UPS, and FedEx all offer international shipping, only UPS and FedEx have their own global network, making them quicker and more reliable. You must attach a customs form to your package alongside the shipping label. Depending on the country, recipients might have to pay import taxes when they receive international shoe shipments.

Wrapping it up

Ready to start shipping shoes?

noissue makes it easy to design and order custom shoe boxes without any experience. Simply add your logo and brand colors, and let our designers take care of the brief. With extensive printing options and five standard sizes, it’s the perfect choice for footwear and clothing retailers aiming to make a mark.

Explore our custom boxes for shipping shoes today.