Buyer's Guide

Shipping &
Logistics

Complete guide to shipping apparel from Bangladesh. Learn about shipping methods, costs, timelines, customs duties, and insurance. Get your orders delivered fast and cost-effectively.

Shipping Methods from Bangladesh

Choose the right shipping method based on your timeline, budget, and order size. We offer flexible options for all needs.

Air Freight (Express)

Best for samples and small urgent orders. Typically 3-5 days from factory to your door. Includes door-to-door service.

📦 100 units (50kg) = $100-$250

✅ Pros

  • Fastest option available
  • Reliable and predictable
  • Perfect for samples
  • Ideal for urgent deadlines

❌ Cons

  • Most expensive shipping method
  • Weight-based pricing
  • Limited capacity

Timeline

3-5 days

Cost per KG

$2-$5 per kg

Best For

Urgent orders, samples, small quantities

💡 Tip: We handle all logistics. You just provide your address and we arrange everything.

Air Freight (Standard)

Good balance of speed and cost. Standard choice for most orders under 500 units. Includes door-to-door service.

📦 100 units (50kg) = $75-$150

✅ Pros

  • Fast and reliable
  • Reasonable cost
  • Good balance
  • Predictable delivery

❌ Cons

  • More expensive than sea
  • Weight-based pricing
  • Limited volume

Timeline

5-7 days

Cost per KG

$1.50-$3 per kg

Best For

Regular orders, standard timeline

💡 Tip: We handle all logistics. You just provide your address and we arrange everything.

Sea Freight (FCL - Full Container Load)

Most cost-effective for large orders. Requires full container (20ft = 18 tons, 40ft = 28 tons). Includes port handling and documentation.

📦 1000 units (500kg) = $1,500-$2,000 total (~$1.50-$2 per unit)

✅ Pros

  • Most economical option
  • Can fit 10,000+ units
  • Lowest per-unit cost
  • Ideal for scaling

❌ Cons

  • Slow delivery
  • Requires full container
  • Need customs clearance
  • Port-to-port service

Timeline

15-25 days

Cost per KG

$1,500-$3,500 per container

Best For

Large orders (500+ units), cost-sensitive

💡 Tip: We handle all logistics. You just provide your address and we arrange everything.

Sea Freight (LCL - Less Than Container Load)

Share container with other shipments. Good for medium-sized orders. Includes port handling and documentation.

📦 300 units (150kg) = $500-$1,000 total (~$1.67-$3.33 per unit)

✅ Pros

  • Affordable option
  • No full container needed
  • Good for medium orders
  • Flexible volume

❌ Cons

  • Slower than FCL
  • Consolidation delays
  • Port-to-port service
  • Longer customs clearance

Timeline

20-30 days

Cost per KG

$500-$1,500 per shipment

Best For

Medium orders (200-400 units)

💡 Tip: We handle all logistics. You just provide your address and we arrange everything.

Complete Shipping Timeline

From order placement to delivery at your door. Timelines vary by shipping method.

1

Day 1-2

Order confirmation & payment

You place order and make payment (50% deposit)

2

Day 3-7

Production

Manufacturing begins based on order complexity

3

Day 8

Quality control & packing

Final inspection and packaging for shipment

4

Day 9

Customs documentation & export

Prepare export documents and arrange logistics

5

Day 10-14 (Air)

In-transit (air freight)

Express delivery to destination country

6

Day 15-25 (Sea)

In-transit (sea freight)

Standard sea shipping to destination port

7

Day 15-26

Customs clearance

Clearance at destination country customs

8

Day 16-27

Final delivery

Delivery to your address or local pickup

Total Timeline by Method

Air Freight (Express)

16-17 days

Fastest option

Air Freight (Standard)

18-20 days

Balanced option

Sea Freight

25-27 days

Most economical

Shipping Cost Breakdown

What's included in shipping costs and what you need to budget for separately.

✅ Included in Shipping

  • Transportation from factory to port
  • Packaging & carton boxes
  • Export documentation & permits
  • Port handling (origin port)
  • Freight charges (air or sea)
  • Port handling (destination port)
  • Basic tracking & updates

⚠️ NOT Included (Extra Costs)

  • Import duties & taxes (country-specific)
  • Customs clearance fees
  • Last-mile delivery (sometimes)
  • Brokerage fees (sometimes)
  • Storage at port (if delayed)
  • Cargo insurance (optional)
  • Expedited customs clearance

📦 Example: 100 Units to USA

Manufacturing cost$300

100 units @ $3/unit

Air freight (50kg)$100-$150

$2-3 per kg

Packaging & documentation$50

Boxes, labels, export docs

Estimated import duties (15%)$90

Apparel typically 12-16%

Customs clearance & brokerage$50-$100

Varies by port/broker

Total Estimated Cost$590-$790

Cost per unit: $5.90-$7.90 (includes all fees)

💡 Cost Optimization Tips

Larger orders = lower per-unit shipping cost
Sea freight is most economical for 500+ units
Consolidate multiple orders into one shipment
Plan ahead to avoid rush fees
Use accurate invoicing to minimize duties
Consider insurance for high-value orders

Customs & Import Duties

Understanding import taxes and customs procedures by country. Duties vary significantly.

USA

12-16%

Apparel typically 12-16% duty. Additional taxes may apply. Use HS code 6204 for women's wear, 6203 for men's wear.

UK

12%

Standard apparel duty 12% + VAT (20%) on total value including duty. Post-Brexit rates apply.

EU

11.9%

EU standard duty 11.9% + VAT (15-27% varies by country). Intra-EU trade benefits apply.

Canada

16-20%

Apparel duty 16-20% + GST/HST (5-15%) on total value. USMCA benefits may apply.

Australia

5-10%

Apparel duty 5-10% + GST (10%) on total value. Generally lower than other countries.

New Zealand

0-5%

Apparel duty 0-5% + GST (15%) on total value. Some items duty-free.

Tips to Minimize Duties & Delays

Use accurate invoicing (helps with customs)
Include correct HS codes (harmonized system codes)
Consolidate shipments when possible
Declare all contents honestly
Use duty-free trade agreements (if applicable)
Work with a customs broker for large orders

Tracking & Insurance

How to track your shipment and protect your investment with cargo insurance.

📍 Shipment Tracking

You'll receive tracking information and updates at each stage:

  • Booking confirmation with reference number
  • Departure from factory (with date/time)
  • Arrival at port of origin
  • In-transit updates (daily for air)
  • Arrival at port of destination
  • Customs clearance status
  • Final delivery confirmation

🛡️ Cargo Insurance

Protect your shipment against loss or damage:

  • Optional insurance available (1-2% of value)
  • Covers loss, damage, and theft
  • Recommended for high-value orders
  • Required by some banks/lenders
  • All-risk or basic coverage options
  • Straightforward claim process
  • Coverage from factory to final destination

Insurance Example

Shipment value$1,000
Insurance rate1.5%
Insurance cost$15
CoverageFull value ($1,000)

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about shipping, customs, and logistics.

How long does shipping take from Bangladesh?

Air freight takes 3-5 days in transit (16-17 days total). Sea freight takes 15-25 days in transit (25-27 days total). Timelines include production, customs clearance, and final delivery.

What's the difference between air and sea freight?

Air freight is faster (5-7 days) but more expensive ($2-5/kg). Sea freight is slower (15-25 days) but cheaper ($1.50-3/kg for FCL). Choose based on your timeline and budget.

Do I have to pay import duties?

Yes, import duties are mandatory in most countries. Rates vary: USA 12-16%, UK 12%, EU 11.9%, Canada 16-20%. Duties are calculated on the invoice value plus shipping.

Can I avoid paying duties?

No, duties are mandatory. However, you can minimize them by using accurate invoicing, correct HS codes, and trade agreements (if applicable). Some items may qualify for duty-free treatment.

Who pays for customs clearance?

Usually the importer (you) pays customs duties and clearance fees. We can arrange customs brokerage services to handle the process for you.

What if my shipment is damaged?

If you have cargo insurance, you can file a claim. We'll help document the damage and process the claim. Without insurance, you'll need to dispute with the carrier.

Can I track my shipment in real-time?

Yes! We provide tracking numbers for all shipments. You can track air freight daily and sea freight weekly. We also send updates at key milestones.

What's the best shipping method for my order?

For 50-200 units: Air freight (fast, reasonable cost). For 200-500 units: Standard air (balanced). For 500+ units: Sea freight (most economical).

Need Shipping Help?

Our team handles all shipping logistics. We'll arrange the best option for your order, manage customs documentation, and keep you updated every step of the way. No surprises, no hidden fees.