Teach Soap

So I think I posted this somewhere around here a while back but never did get a response. I have yet to actually have to ship any of my candles or soap, because all my orders have been fairly close so I have just hand delivered. I do large container candles, and some votives as well. I was wondering what the best way to package them for shipping would be I have boxes (from orders i've recieved), packing peanuts and newspaper. Do you try to wrap up your votives before shipping? I would assume I wrap the containers in newspaper and then stuff the box full of peanuts or paper so it wont budge. But then I thought, well what if something happens and there item is damaged-like broken? Do I have to remake it? Do i require them to insure their delivery, or give them the option and if they opt out too bad for them? Do I/they need to file some claim with whoever shipped it or is that my cost? I have never shipped any of my orders so forgive me if this is an easy question that I don't know the answer to.
But I am also wondering, is it better to just use one company-be it USPS, UPS or FedEx, or does everyone just ship with different ones depending on what they are shipping? My husband also just asked "how do you legally ship candles? Aren't they hazardous materials?" Lol. It kind of made me laugh, but then I wondered if there was any kind of regulations about shipping stuff like that though. Oh and what about my salt scrub? I know this is the candle making forum, but still. I have been using glass containers, but someone suggested switching to PET because with wet hands in the bath tub could slip and cause the glass to slip and break. So I thought ok, I will swtich to the PET jars, and then get those adhesive things that seal them up so no leaks.
Ok, I think I am going to make a new years resolution to not ramble on so much. Thanks for hearing me out though yall!! Happy new years!

I don't use newspaper directly on candles or any products as it could rub off. For a glass candle, it's best to use bubble wrap and lots of peanuts packed tightly into a sturdy box. For glass candles, I require insurance. Things do happen in transit. Depending on circumstances, I either have the client file a claim and wait, or I make another product, ship it at my expense and receive my money back if/when the claim is processed. With that said, I only had to replace 1 candle in the last 10 years.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Thanks so much soapbuddy!! I feel like I am in unknown territory with so much of this stuff actually, and I really appreciate all your help!

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Where do you get your packing supplies at if I can ask? Do you just buy them at UPS/FedEx or do you use some online supplier? Looks like they have cheap packing supplies online. J/w if you buy it from the shipping co. it makes it easier to know the cost from their website or what.

I recycle a lot of my packaging incuding bubble wrap. You can get boxes at uline.com

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I find the trick to packaging glass container candles is to wrap the jar first in bubble wrap then pack in peanuts.... lots of peanuts. If you have several jars to ship in then wrap them in bubble wrap, place them in the box the jars came in, then place that box inside a larger box packed with lots of peanuts.

Votives are easier to pack. It helps if you use votive boxes. I know Cierra Candle supply sells individual votive boxes, the 4 set, and the 10 set boxes. They make great packaging that looks professional and protects your votives. If you don't have the boxes then wrap in saran or tissue paper, then the newspaper or bubblewrap, and then pack in peanuts.

Just have lots of peanuts on hand. I save all the peanuts I get from when my supplies arrive. I now have a dozen garbage bags full of peanuts. I get my bubble wrap from my local office supply.