Can you ship nail polish internationally?

Open TikTok, YouTube, Instagram or any other social media, and you’re sure to find a community of influencers and fans connecting over the latest cosmetic trends. This collection of global communities is creating a passionate group of shoppers who will scour the internet for the best beauty products.

With a potential global audience just one viral video away from your online store, are you ready to meet their demand and ship nail polish internationally? It can be challenging as this product is classified as a dangerous good. To help you out, we’ve created a guide with the best international carriers, packaging tips, and some examples from successful retailers, so you can get your products safely in the hands of your customers. Let’s get into it!

Table of contents

• The best international shipping tips for nail polish brands
  • Dangerous goods classification
  • Packaging and labeling considerations
  • Regulatory documentation
  • Tracking and order updates
• Which carriers can you ship nail polish internationally with?
  • How to ship nail polish internationally with DHL
  • How to ship nail polish internationally with FedEx
  • How to ship nail polish internationally with UPS
• Examples of online nail polish brands that ship internationally
  • OPI: Customer choice and effective retail partnerships
  • Nail Polish Direct: Experts in shipping nail polish worldwide
• Next steps

1. Dangerous goods classification

All dangerous goods have a classification that helps them be identified correctly throughout the shipping process. This is essential information that helps carriers pack and store items correctly and identify any hazards in the event of an emergency. Nail polish is a flammable liquid, so it can’t be shipped through regular mail services with most carriers. Instead, you’ll need to use a commercial carrier like DHL Express that’s equipped to handle flammable liquids.

2. Packaging and labelling considerations

When shipping nail polish internationally, Eurosender notes that choosing the right packaging and labelling the product correctly is extremely important due to its classification as a dangerous good.

Some helpful tips for packaging and shipping flammable liquids include:

• Meet packaging requirements: Using leak-proof packaging is a requirement for any liquids being shipped internationally and is doubly important for flammable ones. It’s also recommended to double box nail polish to help cushion it against any bumps on its journey. We recommend checking the IATA guidelines for a more in-depth guide on packaging nail polish for international shipping.
• Label packages correctly: Nail polish needs to be in clearly labeled packaging that indicates Class 3 flammable liquids are inside. Depending on the nail polish container, you may want to include a fragile sticker as well to ensure carriers take extra care.

Most carriers will also ask you to complete a Declaration of Dangerous Goods to go with these packages. In the case of nail polish, this shows you’re aware of the product you’re sending and have taken steps to comply with the required regulations.

Starshipit tip: With Starshipit, you can automate your customs documents, so international orders containing dangerous goods always have everything they need before they leave your warehouse. This saves you time and money, preparing each order with reduced compliance errors.

4. Tracking and order updates

Regardless of the product, most customers love being able to track their order as it makes its way to them. When it comes to shipping nail polish, accurate tracking can help you determine if the product hits any roadblocks as it moves through customs and on to the destination carrier. As this process could take longer, order updates can help your customers wait patiently and understand where an order is held up.

Starshipit tip: Ease customer anxiety with branded tracking through Starshipit to ensure shoppers are kept updated, which will also reduce unnecessary customer service enquiries.

Which carriers can you ship nail polish internationally with?

Not all carriers can support shipping nail polish internationally, so it’s important to choose a partner that is equipped to deal with dangerous goods and that operates in your target destinations. Here are some options that can help you get your products to your customers in international markets.

Here’s what you need to know when shipping nail polish with DHL:

• Packaging considerations: No matter who you’re shipping with, flammable liquids like nail polish should be contained in leak-proof packaging, snug within their box supported by sturdy packaging materials. The outside of the box should be firmly taped up and display the required dangerous goods identifiers.
• Compliance with regulations: Using an experienced shipping company like DHL puts you in safe hands, as it’s their business to operate according to strict dangerous goods shipping guidelines. Plus, they also have the resources to help you learn more about your role in the shipping process.
• Delivery services: While DHL offers a range of services, shipping nail polish internationally may limit your options as it’s a dangerous good. DHL Express is the best option here, as flammable liquids can’t go by regular mail or as bulk ocean freight.

Check out some of our tips for shipping nail polish internationally with FedEx:

• Service options: FedEx has a wide range of shipping delivery services that can handle dangerous goods. This means your business has multiple options when it comes to shipping nail polish which is great for the customer experience.
• Packaging requirements: FedEx has compiled an extensive list of dangerous goods packaging requirements on its website to help you get ready to ship nail polish or other cosmetics. We recommend becoming familiar with these guidelines if you’re partnering with FedEx for your international shipping needs.
• Know your responsibilities: FedEx also makes it clear which parts of the process are your responsibility. While the carrier will take care of getting your package to its destination, it’s up to you to accurately declare its contents and comply with any extra safety criteria. The easier you can make it for your carrier, the more money and time you can save.

Here’s what you need to know to ship nail polish internationally with UPS:

• International regulations: Following IATA dangerous goods regulations is essential for having nail polish shipped internationally by air with UPS. Being familiar with these guidelines can help you choose the right packaging and delivery service for your nail polish shipments.
• Service options: Using the right UPS service is also essential for getting shipments out on time. The company specifies having a scheduled pickup account, so carriers know in advance if they’re picking up dangerous goods. Choosing ground or air services will also impact your responsibilities, particularly when it comes to packaging.
• Packaging requirements: Be familiar with IATA guidelines when shipping by air and follow best practices like using leak-proof packaging and double-boxing nail polish to keep it secure on long journeys. Remember to include your dangerous goods declaration with these orders.

Starshipit tip: Why settle for just one carrier? Use a shipping automation platform like Starshipit to offer multiple carrier options at checkout for your customers, ensuring they can pick an option that suits them best.

Examples of online nail polish brands that ship internationally

What OPI does well

While you can add products to your bag on OPI’s website, the company partners with Amazon and ULTA Beauty when it comes to actually shipping the product. For OPI, this allows them to display their products in its curated and branded website, while leveraging the infrastructure of a major global online retailer to finish the transaction.

OPI also clearly indicates when in the buying process, shipping and applicable taxes will be applied to the order. In another example of transparency, OPI lists countries that it’s unable to ship to before shoppers get to the checkout which can reduce disappointment.

When directed to ULTA Beauty, customers are presented with a range of helpful options, like signing up for new customer rewards, seeing if the product is in a nearby store and if the item is eligible for same-day delivery. The more options you can offer your customers at checkout, the better.

Starshipit tip: Take a leaf out of OPI’s book by integrating with a range of leading eCommerce platforms using Starshipit to give your customers a positive checkout experience.

What Nail Polish Direct does well:

Communication is the key to Nail Polish Direct’s services. On the company’s shipping information page, you’ll find a list of everything it does to ensure packages make their way across the world. The company lists its shipping partner as DPD, a carrier with reach to over 50 countries. Importantly for shoppers, Nail Polish Direct also lists the countries it ships to, so people know if they’re in a target market before they start browsing.

Finally, Nail Polish Direct also communicates what customers can expect. It covers duties and customs charges, which are a common unexpected cost in international shipping, and tracks packages for peace of mind.

Starshipit tip: Customers expect their packages to be tracked. Keep your customers in the loop with Starshipit by creating branded shipping notifications to send timely updates throughout the entire shipping journey.

Bonus beauty blogs

Looking to dive deeper into shipping beauty products? Don't miss our comprehensive guides tailored to the industry:

• How to ship makeup and cosmetics internationally
• Can you ship skincare internationally?
• How to ship perfume internationally - Including carrier guides (FedEx, DHL and more)

Next steps

Shipping nail polish internationally can be tough thanks to dangerous goods regulations and extra packaging requirements. By using reputable international shipping brands and their resources it’s possible to get these products into shoppers’ hands in your key target markets.

We recommend becoming familiar with dangerous goods shipping guidelines from IATA and your chosen carrier partner to ensure your packages are always up to standard. Meeting these expectations is key to a seamless shipping process. With Starshipit’s multi-carrier support, you can mark products as dangerous goods, so they’re assigned to the correct carrier when they’re ordered.

It’s also important to offer choice at the checkout and communicate clearly. Starshipit integrates with world-leading eCommerce platforms so your customers can choose the best delivery options for them and clearly see the cost of each selection.

To see these features in action, why not start a 30-day free trial of Starshipit? Find out how you can integrate with your existing carrier and eCommerce partners and streamline your shipping processes.