Jules Garcia
3 min read
June 10, 2021

Key Points:

  • Considering the fragile nature of candles, you may want to ship them as a fragile package
  • Using bubble wrap and an appropriately-sized box prevents your candles from shifting during transit
  • Incorporating a personal touch into your packaging is a simple way to curate an enjoyable experience for your customers

Not sure how to ship candles? Well, you’re in the right place.

Candles are meant to bring relaxation, so why should shipping candles be any different? Candles are easy to ship because they’re of uniform size and predictable weight. And if your shipment gets too heavy, you can use Flat Rate shipping to save a few bucks.

Speaking of, Easyship saves eCommerce merchants time and money on shipping candles. You’ll save up to 91% off retail on shipping candles with any courier worldwide.

This article will show you how to ship candles without stress. Let’s dive right in.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship Candles?

Just like shipping anything else, there’s no absolute price for shipping candles. No matter what you ship, the cost of shipping is determined by the following factors:

  • Weight of package
  • Shipping distance
  • Package dimensions
  • Delivery speed
  • Courier service

Considering the fragile nature of candles, you may want to ship them as a fragile package. Doing so, however, will incur additional handling charges from your courier.

You can also opt for flat rate shipping, which is available from the top domestic couriers: USPS, FedEx, and UPS. Instead, you’re charged a flat fixed price for any package under a certain weight depending on the courier. Since candles are dense, using flat rate shipping can be potentially useful.

Let’s consider an example using our Free Shipping Rates Calculator. Here is the cost of shipping a 5-pound package of candles from New York to the United Kingdom. Let’s consider an example using our Free Shipping Rates Calculator. Here is the cost of shipping a 5-pound package of candles from New York to the United Kingdom and some of the available options.

Now, let’s look at shipping a 10-pound package of candles from New York to the United Kingdom.

As you can see from both examples above, the cheapest option is Flat Export, however, it is also the slowest.

How to Package Candles for Shipping

Even if you’re a seasoned eCommerce pro, it’s important to take precautions when shipping candles. Here are a few tips on packaging candles to arrive in good condition.

Secure Your Candles

While most candles come in containers made of glass and tin, you should still add extra cushioning when packing and shipping. Using bubble wrap and an appropriately-sized box prevents your candles from shifting during transit. Too much shifting during transit could possibly crack the wax or break the packaging. Once they are secure you could wrap them in tissue paper to improve their appearance before adding them to a box. The best way to ship candles is to make sure they are secure as possible to avoid breakage and ensure they arrive safely.

No matter what type of packaging you use to ship candles, be sure to also include “Fragile” labels.

Guard Against Extreme Temperatures

When shipping candles, consider the weather conditions. High temperatures can cause candles to melt so if you're looking for how to ship candles in the Summer, consider shipping candles with frozen gel packs or ice packs. This will keep your candles cool and will prevent melting.

Lining boxes with Styrofoam can insulate candles from melting. Ordering insulated boxes is another way to keep candles cool during transit. However, the added packaging can drive up packaging costs. Then again, who wants melted candles? You can also opt for express shipping if you are concerned about the extreme temperatures over many days.

Choose the Right Box

USPS recommends leaving at least two inches of cushioning between the item and the walls of the box. This is because overly tight packaging can cause breakage.

Choose a box that fits snugly. The candles should not move around when you shake the box. As mentioned above, fill the box with packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or paper to ensure its safety. Single candles can also be shipped in flat rate envelopes as long as the box fits inside. If you run a business you should always ensure that you have a good supply of shipping boxes at hand and enough shipping supplies/cardboard boxes for your stock.

Related post: Shipping Fragile Items

Do FedEx, USPS, and UPS Ship Candles?

Yes, major couriers ship candles, including FedEx, UPS, and USPS. Here are the services these major couriers offer to ship candles. That way you know how to ship candles with major courier companies.

How to Ship Candles with USPS

USPS is a cost-effective way to send small, lightweight items like candles. If you decide to use USPS, consider Priority Mail Cubic. Rates for Priority Mail Cubic is based on box size alone instead of weight. Just make sure the total weight of your box doesn’t exceed 20 pounds.

By contrast, you can use USPS Flat Rate for heavy shipments of candles. Flat Rate shipping costs a single fixed fee for any package of 70 pounds or less, making it a cheap way to ship heavy items long distances.

USPS also offers other shipping services like:

  • Priority Mail Express (Next-day to 2-day delivery guaranteed)
  • Priority Mail (1-3 business days)
  • First-Class Package Service (1-3 business days)

How to Ship Candles with FedEx

FedEx offers express shipping services so shipping candles can get to its destination damage-free. That way your candle shipment avoids being left in areas for long periods of time where they will overheat and melt.

You can also opt for FedEx Flat Rate shipping. As long as your package is under 50 pounds, you’re all set. FedEx allows you to choose one of their 12 flat rate boxes, so you can have some peace of mind that your candles will fit in its packaging.

Here are some of FedEx’s other shipping services.

  • FedEx Priority Overnight (Next-business-day delivery)
  • FedEx 2Day (2 business days)
  • FedEx Express Saver (3 business days)

How to Ship Candles with UPS

UPS offers a handful of cost-effective and reliable services for shipping candles. Similar to the couriers above, UPS also offers express shipping services, so that your candles can safely get to their destination without the risk of your candles melting.

Want flat rate shipping? No problem. UPS Simple Rate lets you use your own packaging to ship anywhere in the US for a flat rate. UPS Simple Rate also applies to packages of various shapes and sizes up to 50 pounds

Here are some of the other shipping services UPS offers.

  • UPS Ground Shipping (Delivery in 1-5 business days)
  • UPS Next Day Air Shipping (Guaranteed next-day delivery)
  • UPS 2nd Day Air (Guaranteed 2nd Day Air)

To get the best rates on shipping candles, compare the rates for each courier by package weight. You can simplify the rate comparison process with our free shipping rate calculator. Alternatively, you can research all rates on the courier sites one by one.

3 Tips for Shipping Candles

Here are a few tips to help you understand how to ship candles. Let’s get to it.

Compare Prices

If you are worried about extreme temperatures melting candles in transit, consider using express shipping. Luckily, you’ll have access to the biggest courier network with Easyship. By connecting your own courier account, you’ll also be able to use our pre-negotiated discounted rates.

Consider Custom Branding

Presentation is key. Who wants to receive candles in a boring, plain box? Not me. Incorporating a personal touch into your packaging is a simple way to curate an enjoyable experience for your customers. Using decorative tissue or wrapping candles with ribbon are easy ways to add that personal touch. You can also purchase branded boxes to really spruce up the unboxing experience.

Fortunately, Easyship offers custom branding. Add your logo and advertising materials to your tracking notifications, landing pages, and packing slips. That way you can provide a delivery experience that dazzles buyers and invites repeat business.

Consider Shipping Insurance

Shipping insurance protects shippers against lost, stolen, or damaged packages. An estimated 5-15% of shipments suffer these common delivery issues. Though major shipping couriers are typically reliable, there’s still a chance your package might get lost or damaged.

You can purchase shipping insurance from your courier or from Easyship. Unlike couriers, Easyship uses third-party shipping insurance that pays more claims than that of USPS, UPS, or FedEx.

Shipping Candles with Easyship

Shipping candles can be a mellow experience, and inexpensive, also. With Easyship, you get instant access to all shipping rates from couriers like USPS at up to 89% off retail. You also get access to 250+ global shipping solutions, shipping insurance, and much more. To try Easyship for free, just create your free account.

Sign up for a free Easyship account today and let us help you upscale your eCommerce business.

Shipping Candles FAQ

Do candles melt when shipping?

Candles can potentially melt in extreme temperatures. To prevent this, it’s important to package your candles safely.

Tips on how to package candles for shipping?

Using bubble wrap or packing peanuts can be a helpful tool for shipping candles. You should also consider using gel packs to keep your candles cool and to prevent them from melting.

Can you ship candles in the mail?

Yes, you can ship candles in the mail with major couriers such as FedEx, USPS, or even UPS.

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