Have you recently started making homemade candles and would like to learn how to ship and package them? Here we can give you some tips that can help you do it the right way.
Just in 2018, the global candle market grew up to USD 3.45 billion. The same report showed that candles are mostly popular for home consumers, although a considerable part of the business sector uses them as well, such as high-quality restaurants or spas.
Do you dream of creating your own beautifully scented candles that put store-bought ones to shame? Are you tired of feeling envious of those who effortlessly craft stunning candles for their homes or businesses? If so, we have the perfect solution for you! Candle Making 4 You™ is a comprehensive step-by-step guide that will turn you into a master candle maker – whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced hobbyist. This system will teach you everything you need to know to create candles that look professional and smell amazing.
Can you ship candles in the mail?
Yes, it’s possible to ship candles in the mail, even with major couriers like FedEx or USPS. However, it’s important to make sure that they’re packaged properly so they make it to the destination intact or without any damage.
Most people recommend using the USPS to send candles rather than other services due to its affordability and quick delivery. Nevertheless, there are different options available for this purpose – we’ll explore each of these options and explain to you the advantages of choosing one over the other later in the article.
What shipping service is the best to ship candles?
There are different shipping services available to deliver candles to various clients within your state, country, or even worldwide. Once you’ve figured out how to pack your candles correctly, the next thing to do is to learn about the existing shipping services.
The most popular choices within the eCommerce community include FedEx, DHL, UPS, and the USPS. While all of them offer similar services, some prefer using the USPS or UPS. But as always, some have advantages while others have drawbacks.
Can I send candles via FedEx?
Before we dive into shipping options, many people ask if shipping candles with FedEx is possible, well, yes, you can send candles via FedEx. In fact, it’s one of the best options available if you’d like your order to be delivered as soon as possible to prevent the product from being damaged. Their rates are somewhat accessible, too.
FedEx has excellent and quick services, which is why it’s one of the top choices when it comes to shipping candles to long-distance places.
Shipping candles with USPS
Most people prefer going with the USPS option due to the affordability of their services when it comes to lightweight items (this includes candles, of course.) Furthermore, the Priority Mail Cubic rates are better as they take into account the size of the box instead of the weight. However, it only applies to boxes lighter than 20 lbs.
This company also offers different services you can use to your advantage for your candle-making business:
- Priority Mail Express, which guarantees that your order will arrive the next day or within the 2 days after your request.
- Priority Mail, which delivers your order within 1-3 business days.
- First-Class Package Service, which sends your order within 1-3 business days.
Shipping candles with FedEx
FedEx is another good option you can choose if you want to make sure that your order arrives safely and damage-free at its destination. Thanks to the quick and reliable service that FedEx provides, you can be certain that your products will arrive just in time before they start overheating or melting.
Like the USPS, FedEx offers a service known as “Flat Rate Shipping.” It’s an affordable service that applies to all packages under 50 lbs. Furthermore, there are 12 different types of flat rate boxes that you can choose to ship your candles.
There are other FedEx shipping services that you should consider:
- Priority Over Night – Delivers your order the next business day.
- 2Day – Delivers your order within the next two business days.
- Express Saver – Delivers your order within the next three business days.
Shipping candles with UPS
UPS is another affordable option you can choose. It’s the safest choice for those looking forward to a cost-effective service for shipping candles. They also offer express shipping services, which allow you to send your candles in the least amount of time possible to make sure that they arrive intact without suffering any harm.
This company offers the UPS Simple Rate, which lets you pick the best packaging based on your preferences – all this just for a flat rate. The UPS Simple Rate is also applicable to different packaging shapes and sizes. Simply make sure that the packaging doesn’t weigh more than 50 lbs.
UPS also offers other services:
- Ground Delivery, which delivers an order within 1-5 business days.
- Next Day Air Shipping, which delivers an order the next day – 100% guaranteed.
- 2nd Day Air, which delivers an order within two business days.
How can I ship a candle cheaply?
Even though there are three really popular couriers you can consider getting your candles shipped safely and in time, at affordable prices too. Most eCommerce owners don’t stick to a single option but rather use a combination of the above-mentioned couriers in certain instances.
Even so, most people stick to the US Postal Service or USPS when it comes to shipping candles. USPS has some of the best rates in the market, and they offer quick deliveries as well. Thus, if you’re starting and sending out small packages, the best way to save some money is by using this courier.
Choose the USPS and send packages through the Priority Mail Cubic option
Another trick that most people don’t know about is the Priority Mail Cubic. Most refer to it as a “secret” class because not everyone is aware of its advantages, nor do they use it frequently.
The Priority Mail Cubic offers rates based on the size of the package instead of its weight. Thus, it’s perfect for sending certain items, including candles. Still, there are a few other things to take into account if you want your package to qualify for this option:
- It should weigh 20 lbs or less.
- The dimension should be no bigger than 18 inches and 0.5 cubic feet.
If your package meets all of these requirements, then it’s eligible for the Priority Mail Cubic. It’s the best option available because it offers the largest discount you can find to ship your candles among all the present couriers.
Use online shipping to access this special service
If you go to the USPS office and ask for the Priority Mail Cubic, no one will give you a precise answer. That’s because this service is only accessible when using online shipping. This is the most recommended option to purchase postage because you can buy and print the shipping labels at home directly.
Furthermore, it also allows you to access better existing discounts (including for the USPS) if your packaging does not qualify for the Priority Mail Cubic or any other situation.
How long does it take to ship candles?
It’s really hard to give you an estimated time of how long it will take to ship your candles because it depends on the service you use and the distance. For instance, if you opt for certain express services, you can have your candles shipped within 1-3 business days.
If you use online shipping software, you can find multiple discounts on excellent and fast services to have your candles delivered as soon as possible. Once you’ve chosen a courier, start exploring the different options they have for shipping. These options should give the stipulated times for order delivery.
For this reason, you should also consider the client’s location. Typically, couriers have a map where they show how long it will take to deliver a package to certain locations.
Candle businesses usually have a section within their website where they provide their clients with all the information they need to know regarding candle shipping, including estimated times of delivery and such.
How do you ship candles safely?
You already know what service to use when it’s time to send all orders to your clients. However, before you do so, it’s important to pack them appropriately to make sure they arrive safely and without any damage at their destination.
Here’s what you need to know about wrapping your candle orders appropriately to protect them from damage.
Materials needed to ship candles safely
You can make sure that your candles arrive safely with the customer by using the right packaging materials. If you intend to be in this business in the long run, we highly recommend you buy these materials in stock to avoid running out when you’re processing different orders. These are some of the materials you can use to ship your candles in one piece:
- Durable corrugated boxes are the best option you have to ship certain types of candles, such as tin or glass ones.
- Mailers work better when it comes to pillar candles or tea lights, for instance.
- Again, remember to store many shipping labels, tape dispensers, packing time, and tissue paper to give the finishing touches to the packaging. You can use tissue paper for cushioning and wrapping, although you can also opt for other options like air pillows or cornstarch packing peanuts. These are alternatives to bubble wrap. Still, the right packaging material depends on your candles and preferences.
How to pack your candle orders
Once you’ve gathered all your materials, you’re all set and ready to pack them. Below you’ll find detailed instructions on how to pack the candle orders.
- Start by enveloping your candles in one inch of protective wrapping material as a minimum. If you’re delivering different items in the same box, please use dividers to prevent the candles from colliding with the other objects.
- Next up, choose the appropriate box or mailer that will be the right match for your wrapped candle. Once done, fill the remaining space in the box or mailer with packing peanuts or air pillows.
- For boxes, it’s crucial for you to fasten them securely. You can use packing tape on both ends for this purpose (it’s highly recommendable to use sustainable packing tape.) Masking tape or Scotch tape is not strong enough to survive the whole shipping process, which will result in your candle falling out of the package.
- For mailers, make sure to secure the package by using the built-in adhesive.
As you can see, packing your candle orders is not complicated and shouldn’t pose that much of a problem. However, there are certain indications for certain candles, as those are more prone to melting during the shipping process.
Will candles melt during shipping?
Here’s how you can ship soy candles, so they don’t melt in the box and are sent to the client unharmed.
How to ship soy candles so they don’t melt
You can opt for different methods when it comes to shipping your soy candles safely.
Again, there are different methods you can use to keep your candles safe, including the following.
Cold gel packs
You can find cold gel packs at affordable prices. They usually cost around USD .025 each. Alternatively, you can use ice packs to keep your candles cool throughout the whole shipping process. You can keep these coolers between the package and the candle’s own box to keep them at a temperature as low as possible throughout the whole shipping process.
Double box
If you pack your candles in two boxes, you’ll create an air breach that will insulate the box’s interior. Thus, it can help keep the candle cool for a longer period. Double-boxing your candles is always a better option than reshipping an order because the order was delivered unusable.
Ship your candles on Mondays or Tuesdays, never on Fridays.
If you choose to send the candles on Fridays, they will remain on the back of a truck the whole weekend. Hence, it’s not recommendable to do so if you want to make sure that the products arrive safely.
Think about it: if the temperatures go beyond 90ºF where you live, trucks usually get 30° F warmer than the environment as they’re directly receiving heat from the sun. If you combine 90° F and 30° F, it leaves you with soy wax’s melting point, which is 120° F. These are the perfect conditions for your candles to melt.
Thus, please DO NOT send your candles on Fridays as they will be stuck the whole weekend in a truck. Send them early in the week to make sure they arrive fast and unharmed at the destination.
Priority Mail
We’ve described how different couriers offer priority mail services at affordable prices. This way, you can make sure that the products arrive as quickly and as safe as possible, usually between 1-3 business days. This time can make a huge difference in the quality of your candle, as it will still look as good as new.
If you’re worried about the high prices of your candles if you use priority mail and you are afraid of losing customers, we don’t think it will be a problem. If you’re already selling high-quality products, your clients won’t have any problems with additional costs.
Make sure your customers have delivery notifications activated.
Let’s say that your candles arrive securely at the client’s house, but they are not at home for whatever reasons. In that case, you won’t be sure if the candles will still be as good as new once the client is able to open the box. Thus, we recommend you make sure that customers have delivery notifications turned on, as well as package tracking – any person can do this easily via the USPS webpage.
A few clicks can prevent future issues!
Wax blends
Alternatively, you can also choose to use wax blends (mixing two different waxes) to increase the melting point of soy wax.
- Paraffin wax is the cheapest option, but it’s not natural, and it can be toxic. While it can work, it should not be your first option when it comes to wax blends.
- Palm wax is non-toxic and a natural ingredient. It still has some downsides, so make sure you buy only sustainably palm wax to prevent yourself from contributing to environmental destruction in endangered areas.
- Beeswax is another good option, but it may not be the best option for vegans.
Other waxes will end up lowering the melting point of soy wax, which means that they are not useful as they will make the problem even heavier. So, the wax blend choice depends on your preferences and your clientele.
For instance, palm wax is an excellent option as it’s vegan and all-natural. If you do enough research, you can find a brand that offers palm wax and follows ethical and responsible practices.
How to calculate the cost of shipping candles
We’ve already discussed everything you need to know about shipping candles. However, the most crucial topic is how much will this cost you?
Of course, we are unable to tell you how much it will cost for you to ship candles as there are different factors involved in the process. But we’ve already mentioned that USPS is the best option since they offer excellent discounts. You can also calculate how much your candles will cost by using online calculators.
Some of the factors that will directly influence the shipping costs include the following:
- Weight
- Size
- Destination
- How soon do you want it to be delivered
Certain options, like Priority Mail Cubic, allow you to skip the weight and have your shipping costs based on the size of the box instead.
Still, we recommend you explore the different options available. Maybe one of them has a better price than what the USPS is currently offering. The following tools will help you during the comparison process:
These tools will give you an accurate estimate of how much it will cost you to ship your candles. Then, you can proceed to choose the option that’s more convenient for you.
Don’t forget to print the shipping label!
We highly recommend you to use online shipping software as doing so will make it possible for you to print shipping labels at home whenever you want. Don’t forget to attach the shipping label when you’ve chosen the optimal courier. When you’re doing so, the courier will give you a tracking number for that specific order – make sure to save it somewhere so you can then share it with your client.
Conclusion
Here you have everything you need to know on how to ship and pack your candles safely. Remember to explore different couriers and not to stick to just one. We hope this has been useful for you going forward on your eCommerce ventures.
Selling candles can be a profitable business if you know how to manage them correctly!