How Vestium NY Ships Worldwide: Packaging, Timeline, and What to Expect

Vestium NY is a New York studio. The clients who commission from us are not all in New York. A meaningful portion of our commissions are fulfilled for clients in other cities and countries — people who either visited New York for an initial consultation and now commission remotely, or who began the process entirely by correspondence and video.

This is a practical guide to how shipping works: what the garment travels in, what the timeline looks like, what duties and customs mean for international shipments, and what to do when the piece arrives.

How Garments Are Packaged

A suit or jacket shipped from Vestium NY travels in a structured garment bag designed to protect the garment through transit. The packaging is not ornamental — it is functional. The jacket is hung on a shaped wooden hanger inside the bag; the trousers are hung at the waist on a trouser hanger, not folded. The garment arrives hung, not compressed.

For international shipments, the garment bag is placed inside a rigid outer shipping container. This protects against compression and handling damage in transit. A suit that arrives creased because it was folded into a box is not the result we're after — the packaging is built to prevent this.

Inside the package:

• The garment itself, on hangers, in a protective garment bag
• A detailed care card specific to the fabric
• A note on any minor adjustments that may be needed and how to address them locally
• For first-time remote commissions: a written guide to how the garment should be assessed once received

Timeline: From Production Completion to Delivery

Once the garment has passed its final check at the studio, shipping timeline is:

Domestic (United States):

• Standard: 2–3 business days
• Express: 1–2 business days

International:

• Canada, United Kingdom, Western Europe: 3–5 business days (excluding customs clearance time)
• Middle East, Asia, Australia: 5–8 business days (excluding customs clearance)

These are transit times after dispatch, not from order placement. Total time from order to receipt includes the production period (4–6 weeks standard) plus the shipping transit time.

Customs and Duties

International shipments of clothing are subject to customs duties and import taxes in most countries. These are set by the destination country and are the responsibility of the recipient.

What to expect:

United Kingdom: Import duty on clothing is approximately 12%. VAT at 20% is applied on top. A suit with a customs value of $3,500 may incur approximately $200–$250 in duties and VAT. The exact figure depends on the declared value and the current rates.

European Union: Standard EU import duty on clothing is 12%, plus local VAT (varies by country, typically 20–25%). Similar calculation to the UK.

Canada: Clothing from the United States may qualify for reduced or zero duty under the USMCA agreement, depending on origin rules. In practice, duties are often minimal for US-made garments.

Australia: Import duty on clothing is 10%, plus GST at 10%. Similar calculation applies.

Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia): Import duty rates are generally lower (4–5%), with VAT where applicable.

Vestium NY will declare the accurate value of the garment on customs documentation. We do not undervalue shipments on customs forms — this is both legally required and the right practice.

Clients who are concerned about import duties in their specific country should research their country's import duty rates for clothing before placing an order. We are happy to advise on what to expect and to help estimate the additional cost.

What Happens When the Garment Arrives

Allow it to hang. A garment that has been in transit for several days may have minor wrinkles from being in a bag. Hang it in a room with good air circulation for 24 hours before assessing the fit. Wool relaxes naturally with air and gentle hanging — most transit wrinkles disappear without any intervention.

Try it with the correct clothing and shoes. Assess the fit with the shirt you'll wear with it and the shoes you specified at consultation. Fit assessments in different shoes (particularly different heel heights for trousers) will give inaccurate results.

Wear it once before deciding on adjustments. A canvas suit settles to the body with wearing. What feels slightly tight or slightly stiff on first wear often relaxes by the second or third wearing. Give the garment a wearing before deciding that adjustments are needed.

If adjustments are needed. Contact Vestium NY. We will advise on exactly what the adjustment should be, provide dimensions, and recommend a trusted local tailor in your area who can execute the work. Minor adjustments — sleeve length, trouser hem, slight waist suppression — are straightforward for any skilled tailor following our instructions.

Tracking and Insurance

All Vestium NY shipments include tracking and transit insurance at the garment's replacement value. Tracking information is sent at dispatch. If a package is delayed, lost, or damaged in transit, contact us immediately — the insurance covers replacement.

Returning Clients

For clients who have commissioned multiple pieces, the shipping process is established and efficient. The pattern is on file, the preferences are known, and the communication channel is clear. Many returning remote clients commission on a regular basis — a suit for a new season, an additional jacket, a pair of trousers to extend an existing commission — without visiting New York again.

This is the intended relationship: a commission model that begins with a consultation (ideally in person, but possible remotely) and continues for as long as the client's needs and Vestium NY's work are well matched.

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