How to Ship Candles

Candles are on fire! We’re obviously speaking literally, but also quite figuratively, as well. Artisan candles are some of the most popular consumer products to purchase online, and demand always skyrockets before the holidays. Nowadays, you can pick up candles pretty much everywhere on the Internet. They’re all over Amazon, Goop, Etsy, eBay—you name it. So, if you’re an online retailer looking to get in on the action, we’ve got you covered. This guide is all about how to ship candles, and how to save the most money doing it. Let’s get burning!

Table of Contents

• Save the Most Money by Shipping Candles with the US Postal Service
• Priority Mail Cubic is the Best Service Available for Shipping Candles
• Consider Custom-Branded Packaging
• Properly Packaging and Protecting Your Candle Shipment

Save the Most Money by Shipping Candles with the US Postal Service

We’ll keep this simple for you: don’t even think of using any other carrier other than the US Postal Service. USPS offers the best mix of affordable rates and quick delivery, and is perfect for sending smaller, lightweight items such as candles. If you’re using any carrier outside of USPS to ship out your candles, you’re simply spending a lot of money that you don’t have to.

Priority Mail Cubic is the Best Service Available for Shipping Candles

The reason USPS is the best option for shipping candles is because of a “secret” mail class called Priority Mail Cubic. Unlike other USPS mail classes, Priority Mail Cubic rates are based on the size of your box, and not its weight. That makes it the ultimate service for sending out heavier items like candles.  Just make sure the total weight of your box doesn’t exceed 20 pounds, no single dimension on the box exceeds 18 inches, and that the total volume is less than 0.5 cubic feet. If you can meet all of those parameters, you’re good to go!

We’ll make a long story short for you: Priority Mail Cubic gives you the deepest level of shipping discounts out there. If your box qualifies for this special service, there’s no reason you should ever use any other mail class.

Access Priority Mail Cubic Rates with Online Shipping Software

If you go to the Post Office and ask for Priority Mail Cubic, chances are you’ll be met with a lot of funny looks. The truth is, you’ll never find this service at the Post Office, and most USPS workers won’t even know what it is! You can only access Priority Mail Cubic when you use online shipping software solutions.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, we ALWAYS recommend using shipping software to purchase postage. Shipping software allows you buy and print shipping labels from the convenience of your own home. You’ll also save tons of money by gaining access to the deepest level of USPS discounts around, such as USPS Commercial Pricing.

Consider Custom-Branded Packaging

Have you ever heard the saying, “Image is everything?” That adage also applies to eCommerce businesses. Sure, you can use free USPS boxes and envelopes for your shipments and save some money. However, we suggest thinking about how much good branding is worth to you. Using custom packaging allows you to create a memorable unboxing experience for your recipient, and it reinforces your brand at the same time. Plus, you’ll still be able to ship Priority Mail Cubic with your custom boxes. Just some food for thought!

Properly Packaging and Protecting Your Candle Shipments

Some candles come inside glass containers, and others don’t. Whatever the case, we recommend investing in the proper packing material such as custom cardboard cutouts and packing paper. Cardboard cutouts are on the more expensive side, but will keep your candles in place throughout their journey to your recipient’s doorstep. If you don’t want to spring for those, you’d do just as well by wrapping your candle(s) in plenty of packing paper. This will help keep the glass from cracking, and will also prevent any parts of the wax from breaking off.

Pro Tip: Priority Mail Cubic automatically comes with $100 of built-in USPS insurance, which you can claim if your package gets lost or takes damage during transit. If your candles are valued at over $100, we recommend that you purchase additional shipping insurance. No matter what shipping software solution you decide to go with, you’ll always have the option to add on extra insurance to cover the cost of your items.