Cheapest Way to Ship Candles
Candles are fragile and temperature-sensitive, requiring snug packaging and weather awareness.
Shipping Options for Candles
Candles present two shipping challenges: they're fragile (especially glass containers) and they're temperature-sensitive. Wax can melt, crack, or separate from the wick during hot weather transit. Bubble wrap and snug-fitting boxes are essential to prevent glass jars from breaking. During summer months, consider faster shipping to minimize time spent in hot delivery trucks. Candles in tins are much more forgiving than glass jar candles.
| Service | Carrier | Est. Cost | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground AdvantageRecommended | USPS | $4-7 | 2-5 days | Single candles in jars or tins under 1 lb |
| Priority Mail | USPS | $8-12 | 1-3 days | Summer shipments where heat exposure must be minimized |
| FedEx Ground | FedEx | $10-15 | 3-7 days | Multi-candle orders or wholesale shipments |
| UPS Ground | UPS | $10-15 | 3-7 days | Bulk orders shipping to retail locations |
Packaging Tips for Candles
Pro Tips
- During summer months (June-September), upgrade to Priority Mail to reduce transit time and minimize heat exposure in trucks.
- Wrap candle lids separately and secure them with tape to prevent them from popping off and damaging the wax surface.
- For multi-candle shipments, separate each candle with cardboard dividers to prevent jars from clinking together and cracking.
Important Considerations
Extreme heat can melt candles, cause wax to separate from the wick, or ruin the finish. Ship during cooler parts of the week (Monday-Tuesday) so packages aren't sitting in hot facilities over the weekend. Consider adding insurance for glass jar candles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ship early in the week so packages aren't sitting in hot warehouses over weekends. Choose faster shipping during summer months, and avoid shipping candles when the destination forecast exceeds 90°F. Some sellers include a small ice pack for high-end candles during extreme heat.
Wrap each jar in at least two layers of bubble wrap and secure with tape. Place the wrapped candle in a box that's just slightly larger, filling remaining space tightly with crumpled kraft paper. The candle should feel completely immobile when you shake the sealed box.
Tin candles are lighter and virtually unbreakable, reducing both shipping costs and damage risk. A tin candle can often ship in a padded mailer instead of a box, saving $1-3 on packaging and postage. Glass jars require more protective packaging, which adds weight and increases the box size.
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