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How To Ship Liquids: What Ecommerce Businesses Need To Know
Are you a business looking to ship liquid items such as perfume, drinks or alcohol? Here’s our step-by-step guide to mailing them safely.
Author: Francesca Nicasio
Published: 2021-07-18
Read time: 10 mins read
Custom tendlyn Tissue Paper by @cepage_
Shipping liquids can be a tricky task.
If you sell beverages, alcoholic drinks, perfumes, or other liquids, you need to understand the regulations that impact what you are trying to ship. When sending domestically, liquids that are not dangerous to the carrier can be shipped while flammable liquids and controlled substances may be prohibited.
When shipping internationally, the list of restrictions grows. Liquids like gasoline, perfumes containing alcohol, and nail polish cannot be shipped internationally.
Some liquids like aerosol cans can be shipped by surface mail, but airmail transport is prohibited. This is because it could explode with the impact of air pressure associated with flying.
Needless to say, you need to consider a host of factors if you plan to ship liquids domestically, internationally, or both. In this article, you’ll discover the relevant rules and regulations for shipping different types of liquids, the guidelines of the major shipping companies, and how you can ship liquids safely.
Custom tendlyn Compostable Sticker by @halcyon_wines
How do you ship liquid items?
There are three key factors that are important when shipping liquids — the type of liquid you want to ship, packaging to protect the liquid, and the guidelines of your shipping carrier. We will explain each below:
1. The type of liquid you want to ship
The first question to ask is if the liquid you want to ship is permitted. Liquids that do not cause injury can be shipped, liquids that carry the risk of spillage can be shipped in limited quantities, while hazardous or flammable liquids cannot be shipped.
Corrosive, flammable, or poisonous liquids are prohibited by all carriers. They cannot be shipped via mail.
Liquids that are always permitted to ship:
Liquids that can be shipped in limited quantities:
2. Packaging to protect the liquid
Our Satellite Hearts store pairs tendlyn tissue paper with protective packaging to ship their liquid items.
There are many things to consider when shipping liquids including how you will deal with potential spills or punctures, protecting perishable products, temperature regulation, and more.
When packaging liquids, careful and secure packing is key, and this requires a holistic understanding of the properties of the liquid you are shipping. Consider the following before choosing the right packing material for your product:
Answer all these questions to figure out the best packaging for your product. Packaging usually starts with a cardboard box, plenty of padding or a sturdy bottle or wine carrier, and liquids will have to be sealed in watertight containers to prevent leakages.
The tendlyn Two Bottle Wine Carrier helps keep your brand’s liquid products upright without adding bulk.
Perishable liquids should be put in a styrofoam cooler or bottle carrier to preserve the liquid before placing it in the cardboard box. We will cover more about safely shipping liquids later in the article.
3. Your shipping carrier
The guidelines for shipping liquids internationally are usually different and more expensive than domestic shipping. We will cover the details for shipping with each carrier in the next section, but it’s best to speak directly to a representative of the shipping company you plan to use.
Shipping Liquids Through USPS, FedEx, or UPS
Shipping liquids with USPS
USPS offers the best mix of affordable rates and quick delivery for shipping liquids. USPS doesn’t charge extra for shipping liquids and you can use any of their shipping options including:
USPS has some restrictions for the shipment of alcohol, gasoline, aerosols, hand sanitizer, nail polish, paint, perfumes (containing alcohol), and poisons.
You must adhere to USPS rules for liquid product packaging and triple-pack your boxes. Use tightly sealed caps for containers and padding for breakable containers.
Shipping liquids with FedEx
FedEx allows the shipments of a broader range of liquids than USPS, but it also prohibits aerosols, flammable liquids, and any hazardous material.
You can use any of the following options to ship your liquid including:
Liquids must be packed in a waterproof, sealable container. The container must be kept upright in the cardboard box, and the box must be marked as “Fragile” to ensure it is not kept upside down during shipping.
Shipping liquids with UPS
It’s difficult to get details about UPS’s specific rules for shipping liquids, however, the company has a resource page to guide shippers on how to ship alcohol with UPS. It’s best to contact a company representative to learn more about the requirements for shipping your liquid.
Despite the uncertainty about the type of liquids that can be shipped, UPS packaging requirements mirror those of FedEx.
The company offers variable pricing for its shipments. Its flat rate shipping option is limited to 50lbs per month and takes 1-5 days to ship.
Shipping alcohol with the major carriers
Some carriers do not ship alcohol, and some states like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Utah do not allow direct alcohol shipments.
However, alcohol shipments are allowed in most states, and an adult 21 years and above must sign for the package.
The requirements for shipping alcohol differs from carrier to carrier, and we will examine the guidelines of each carrier below:
USPS Guidelines for Shipping Alcohol
USPS prohibits the shipment of alcohol domestically and internationally.
USPS also prohibits any packaging with branding or labeling that shows it can be used to carry alcohol.
FedEx Guidelines for Shipping Alcohol
FedEx permits the shipment of alcohol, but you must comply with the following requirements:
UPS guidelines for shipping alcohol
UPS also permits the shipment of alcohol subject to certain caveats:
Shipping perfumes with the major carriers
Just like shipping alcohol, mailing perfumes and other liquid beauty products requires careful understanding of the guidelines of each carrier.
Perfumes are flammable products, you need a TSA clearance and validation that your carrier is aware you are shipping a hazardous substance. Also, perfumes should always be packed in two containers and properly labeled.
Here is an overview of the guidelines of each of the three major carriers for shipping perfumes:
USPS
FedEx
UPS
Can you ship liquids internationally?
Yes, you can. The list of prohibited liquids when shipping internationally depends on the regulations of the destination country.
For example, secular countries like the U.K. or Canada will permit the shipment of alcohol, while Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia will prohibit it.
How To Ensure That Liquids Are Safe When Shipping
Perl Cosmetics uses shredded paper for cushioning and completes the package with tendlyn custom tape and stickers. Liquids must be packaged properly to ensure it doesn’t leak and destroy the container in transit.
Customize your tendlyn Two or Three Bottle Wine Carrier for consistent branding on the go.
To package liquids, you will need the following supplies:
With that in mind, below are a few tips to help you package liquids safely:
Wrapping it Up
Shipping liquids is not the easiest thing you will do, and it’s a lot more complicated than shipping solid items. Hopefully, this article helps you better understand the liquids that can be shipped, and the guidelines of the major carriers for shipping liquids.
Start packaging your liquids and check out the website of your carrier of choice to create your shipment. Perfect the customer experience with packaging that elevates your hospitality or brand through practical wine carriers, custom tissue paper, QR code coasters, and more! Start shopping tendlyn’s packaging and shipping products by your industry here.
Enjoyed this story? Check out more in our Shipping Series:
How to Ship Clothes: a Step-by-Step Guide
How to Mail Perfume, Cosmetics, and Beauty Products
How to Ship a Candle: a Step-by-Step Guide
