How to Ship a Candle: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you an eCommerce business that stocks and ships candles? Learn how to pack candles for shipping and give your customers a great unboxing experience.
By Francesca Nicasio — 07 May, 2021
Custom noissue Eco-Friendly Tissue Paper and Paper Sticker by @thecuriousfoxco
Decorative, aromatic candles have seen increasing use in homes and businesses across the globe. In fact, the worldwide candle market is projected to reach USD 20.10 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
Most of this growth is driven by home consumers, though candles are also popular in the business sector. Spas and massage studios, along with finer restaurants, use candles to provide the desired ambience.
What’s more, candles often play a role in festivals, celebrations, and religious observances in many countries.
The industry is clearly booming, and with eCommerce continuing to rise, selling candles online presents a great business opportunity for small businesses looking to grow their brand presence.
If you’re an eCommerce business planning to stock and ship candles, keep reading. This guide walks you through how to ship a candle and the factors to consider to ensure your fragile products arrive safely.
Why shipping candles can be a tricky task
While candles seem very sturdy, they can be damaged in transit if they’re not packed correctly, particularly candles poured into glass jars, which require a bit of care.
You can avoid breakage by packing your candles so they remain almost stationary within the box. If you’ve created a cushioning effect within the box, any unexpected movement during transit won’t have a disastrous result.
Use a combination of packing materials to fill those odd little spaces within the shipping box (more on this later).
Glass vs tin candle containers
A glass container makes a beautiful presentation for any candle style and color. That said, glass containers have two major downsides. First, the containers are heavy, which increases their shipping costs. In addition, glass containers are fragile items even when surrounded by adequate packing.
Consider switching to durable tin containers, which have considerably lower shipping rates. In addition, tin containers are much less likely to be damaged during the shipping cycle.
Materials needed to safely ship candles
Secure candles inside sturdy product boxes to prevent breakage during shipment!
To confidently ship candles to your customers, you need to purchase the right packaging supplies and consider buying them in bulk if you’re processing many orders. Shop around, as multiple suppliers are competing for your business.
Durable corrugated shipping boxes are a great option for packing and shipping fragile items like tin or glass candles, while mailers work well for pillar candles and tea lights.
Keep a good supply of shipping labels, a tape dispenser, and packing tape at your candle packing station. For cushioning and wrapping, consider stocking up on tissue paper, cornstarch (biodegradable) packing peanuts, and air pillows. (For more ideas, check out our post on bubble wrap alternatives to find the right packaging materials for your candles.)
How to ship a candle: a simple guide
With a little planning and a methodical approach, shipping candles isn’t difficult. The more you do it, the easier it will become and the less time it will take.
Here are the steps to keep in mind when packing and shipping your candles.
Advance preparation
1. Set up an account with your courier of choice, such as USPS, UPS, or FedEx.
2. Order your supplies, which could include:
- Packaging materials (product boxes, shipping boxes, mailers, box fillers like packaging peanuts, etc.)
- Wrapping supplies (tissue paper, tape, stickers, stamps, etc.)Shipping and candle labels
How to package candles for shipping
1. Wrap each candle in at least 1 inch of protective wrapping material (e.g. kraft paper, hex wrap, etc.) to protect from impact. If you’re shipping multiple items, use dividers to keep the candles from colliding during shipment.
2. Place candles inside product boxes to protect them from breakage or damage within your shipping box or mailer. Reinforce lids and openings with custom sticker labels or packing tape to keep your items snugly sealed.
3. Choose a box or mailer that will fit snugly around the wrapped candle. Fill the remaining spaces with extra cushioning, such as hex wrap, tissue paper, and biodegradable packing peanuts.
4. If you’re using a box, securely fasten it by placing packing tape (ideally sustainable packing tape) on both ends. Do not use masking tape or regular Scotch tape, as neither one will survive the shipping process. When they fail, the candle(s) will fall out.
If you’re using mailers, use the built-in adhesive to secure the package.
A note on shipping candles during the summer
Filling customers’ orders during the hot summer months requires special precautions. In high temperatures, it’s important to use packing materials like air pillows to insulate and prevent candles from melting or softening during transit. If necessary, add a packaging ice pack to keep the candle cool. Do not freeze the candle. It’s also best to arrange for express shipping so the package isn’t sitting for days in a staging center or truck.
Calculate the cost of shipping candles
When shipping via the United States Postal Service, First Class is usually the cheapest method for packages weighing less than one pound. For shipping packages over one pound, USPS Priority Mail is the most economical option. UPS, USPS, and FedEx also offer flat-rate boxes at no upfront cost.
That said, your shipping costs will ultimately depend on the size of your order, where you’re sending the package, and how soon you want it to get there.
To find the most cost-effective option, compare the shipping rates and times of different courier services using their online calculators. This is the best way to ship candles and save money, especially if you frequently ship packages of similar sizes. Each of these tools will ask you basic questions about the package’s cost, weight, size, and destination.
After you enter those details, you’ll get an estimate of how much it’ll cost to ship your package.
Print the shipping label
Once you’ve chosen a courier, print your shipping label and attach it to your package. During this step, the courier will also provide you with a tracking number for the package. Make a note of it, then share the tracking number with your customer so they can stay in the loop with the status of their order.
Drop off the package or schedule a pickup
When the package is good to go, either drop it off at the nearest courier location or your local post office, or schedule a pickup.
Happy candle shipping!
We hope the tips and steps above gave you a better idea of how to safely ship your candles.
As a growing industry, we can expect more people to shop for candles, so it pays to know how to ship them right. Good luck, and if you need sustainable materials for wrapping, packaging, and shipping your candles, check out noissue’s range of eco-friendly and customizable products for sellers of all sizes. 🕯️