Can you ship shampoo internationally? Tips for DHL, FedEx and USPS

Not everyone would claim to be a regular beauty and cosmetics consumer, but you can bet (or hope!) that everyone is buying shampoo. Grand View Research seems to think so, with the organisation citing hair and scalp care as a US$80 million industry that still has room to expand, particularly in growing markets like China.

So, can you ship shampoo internationally to make waves in global markets? The short answer is yes, but as always when it comes to international shipping, you’ll need to put in some work to meet the requirements for shipping overseas.

That’s where we come in – in this blog we’ll be looking at the challenges and solutions when shipping liquids across the world, how Starshipit fits into the picture, as well as listing some key partners that can help. And perhaps most importantly, examples of brands that are successfully shipping shampoo internationally. Let’s get glowing!

Table of contents

• Can you ship liquids internationally?
• 5 tips to ship shampoo abroad
  • 1. Understand liquid-specific regulations
  • 2. Package shampoo for safe transit
  • 3. Provide clear documentation for compliant shipping
  • 4. Include order tracking and notifications
  • 5. Reduce the risk of returns
• Use a multi-carrier strategy for international reach
• Which carriers ship shampoo globally?
  • Can you ship shampoo internationally with DHL?
  • Can you ship shampoo internationally with FedEx?
  • Can you ship shampoo internationally with USPS?
• Haircare brands that have mastered international shipping
  • Olaplex: Upfront deals and detailed shipping info
  • Aveda: A certified B Corp with vegan shampoo
• Next steps

The key factors that make it possible to ship liquids internationally include:

• Meeting international shipping regulations: For example, the IATA governs the rules around shipping unique items like flammable liquids by air.
• Proper packaging: Even liquids that aren’t dangerous goods can be a risk, as any damage due to poor packaging can result in a mess on the way to its destination.
• Selecting the right carrier: Some carriers will refuse to take packages with specific requirements or may not be able to take them into certain countries. The carrier you partner with will have a significant impact on your ability to meet international shipping regulations.

That’s a lot to take in, but in the next few sections we’ll break down what you can do to overcome these challenges and make it easier to ship shampoo internationally.

1. Understand liquid-specific regulations

As you expand to new markets it’s important to be aware of how countries classify your products. For example, in Canada, even though it’s unlikely to contain dangerous goods, shampoo is considered cosmetic, which means it is regulated under the Food and Drugs Act’s Cosmetic Regulations. This can impact import and export rules, the amount you can send in each shipment and any licensing related to the sales of these goods.

If you’re shipping by air, you’ll need to be familiar with the IATA guidelines we mentioned earlier as your carrier partners will need to follow these to the letter. These rules prioritise safety above all else.

Tip: Before you offer shipping to new regions, create an ingredient compliance checklist for your most popular products to ensure they’re safe to ship internationally. There’s nothing worse than selling a product to a customer that gets rejected by customs and never arrives.

2. Package shampoo for safe transit

Proper packaging is essential for shipping shampoo internationally. These should be placed in leak-proof containers to contain any spills with tamper-evident seals to give customers piece of mind. It’s also important to make sure shampoo bottles fit snug in their outer packaging by filling in gaps with bubble wrap or foam inserts.

To be extra safe we recommend double-sealing bottles so there is some extra redundancy in the case of spills. For bottles with screw tops, you can tape an “X” shape over the top to reduce the risk of it coming off. With liquids, any damage that isn’t contained could affect orders from other customers and companies too.

For your outer packaging, safe and sturdy boxes are your best bet. These boxes also need to be labelled correctly and contain any essential information about the product’s ingredients.

3. Provide clear documentation for compliant shipping

Documents your package must have when shipping shampoo internationally include:

• A commercial invoice
• Packing label
• Harmonized System (HS) Codes to identify your product
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for dangerous goods

Customs delays occur when border agents don’t have the right information or can’t identify your product. It’s your responsibility as the shipper to include all necessary documentation for a smooth passage through customs and on to your customer.

4. Include order tracking and notifications

Order tracking is essential even for local orders that might only take a day or two to arrive, so it’s even more important that your international customers are kept in the loop. With these orders, there’s a higher risk of shipping delays plus possible hold ups in customs. The more you can do to let customers know where their order is in the process, the more patient they’ll be.

You can take this a step further by building branded tracking pages and portals to help build trust with your customers. This way they know these updates are coming directly from you, which can help to reduce customer service queries like “where’s my order?” so your team can focus on more in-depth enquiries.

Starshipit tip: Our automated shipping notifications help you track orders and send updates seamlessly from an all-in-one platform. You can set your company up in the brand hub to ensure the right colours, logos and social media links are used on all automated notifications too.

5. Reduce the risk of returns

Handling returns can be tricky – especially for liquids like shampoo – but the good news is there are ways to reduce the likelihood of them occurring in the first place. By helping customers feel confident in their choices and ensuring clear communication, you can turn potential returns into happy, loyal customers.

1. Help customers choose the right product

Sometimes, a little guidance goes a long way. For example, sustainable beauty brand Ethique has a “hair quiz” to help customers find the shampoo that’s perfect for their hair type and needs, reducing uncertainty and boosting confidence in their purchase.

Sharing educational resources, like product tutorials, tips for selecting the right formula, or reviews, can also empower shoppers to make the best decisions, leaving them delighted with their choice.

2. Be clear about your returns policy

A well-communicated returns policy can set clear expectations and reduce surprises. Let customers know upfront what’s eligible for returns, such as unopened products, and be transparent about exclusions like damaged or opened bottles.

Displaying your returns policy prominently at checkout ensures customers feel informed before completing their purchase.

3. Perfect your fulfilment process

Many returns happen because of preventable errors, like incorrect items packed or invalid addresses. By optimising your operations – think accurate documentation, address validation and packing optimisation – you can eliminate these issues before they arise.

Proactive processes create a smoother experience for your customers and your team, saving time and hassle for everyone.

Starshipit tip: Starshipit can help you get it right the first time by automating your shipping documentation processes and address validation to reduce errors. And for those rare instances when a return is unavoidable, our branded returns portal ensures the experience is simple and stress-free for your customers.

Other key benefits of this approach include:

• Using the best-suited carrier: Each shipping partner is going to have its own unique advantages. Maybe you use one for local express deliveries, a second for North American deliveries and then a third option for sending liquids internationally to Europe. Haircare brand Nurture Handmade shows the advantages of this process with the range of shipping options it can offer its customers.
• Optimised shipping costs: You can work with carriers to negotiate better rates based on the quantity you send with them which can bring prices down for your customers.

Starshipit tip: What’s the best way to get a multi-carrier strategy up and running? Having the right partners is a good first step. Starshipit supports multi-carrier management so you can assign orders to any of the carriers you work with. This way, you can automatically flag orders that need to go with a specific carrier or easily shift from one to another when they’re experiencing disruptions.

Which carriers ship shampoo globally?

Not all carriers will be able to ship liquids to your target destination, so it’s best to check with your current partners before you get started. Here are some reliable global names with experience shipping shampoo internationally.

Key points for shipping with DHL:

• Know your product: According to DHL’s guide for shipping liquids, knowing your product is the first step to success. Regular liquids can be sent via ground, air or sea freight, while dangerous goods will have more limited options.
• Pack shampoo correctly: DHL advises to keep liquids packed securely and covered with plastic bags to contain unwanted leaks. If there’s more than one bottle in a box, these should be divided by cardboard trays or other packing materials to keep them from colliding.
• Choose a service: Depending on how much your customers are willing to pay, DHL Express offers a range of options for sending shampoo internationally.

Tips for success when shipping with FedEx:

• Find the right service for you: In its guide for shipping liquids, FedEx outlines the options available provided you’re not planning to ship hazardous liquids. FedEx Fast Freight promises the quickest possible shipping the company can manage, while 1-day to 5-day options give time-definite delivery options to give customers peace of mind.
• Take care packaging liquids: FedEx offers a selection of packing pointers that we’d recommend following to ensure safe delivery. This includes putting absorbent materials in the packaging to soak up spills, fill any empty voids and tape an “X” over bottle lids to keep them securely tightened.
• Read up on regulations: While FedEx is in charge of delivering the package, it’s your responsibility for the item to meet international guidelines and rules, such as carrying the right documentation and meeting import requirements for the country of origin.

Tips for shipping shampoo with USPS

• Label your packages correctly: It’s not just the type of labels you include on your parcels, but the location as well. USPS advises against putting any important stickers on the bottom of boxes, as they could be missed by your courier or result in liquids being stored upside down for extended periods.
• Check packaging regulations: Like most carriers, the USPS has strict guidelines for liquids of different sizes. For example, any plastic or other non-metal containers holding more than 4 ounces of liquid must be triple packed alongside absorbent materials.
• Review service offerings: When shipping shampoo internationally with USPS, you can choose from a range of different services to add security to your package. The company offers multiple insurance options to protect shipments and can also provide proof of delivery receipts or other tracking services.

Haircare brands that have mastered international shipping

What Olaplex does well

The Olaplex website clearly communicates current deals, with the header advertising free shipping on every order. That’s a great way to set the tone for shoppers, as they know they can fill up their online cart without worrying about expensive shipping fees.

Olaplex also has an entire FAQ page just for shipping. Being upfront and transparent about this kind of information is really handy for customers, especially for those who are new to the store. Olaplex outlines the international destinations it can ship to, the shipping costs and delivery, and its tracking options.

Starshipit tip: With our range of eCommerce integration options (including Shopify, BigCommerce and more), you can control the shipping prices and delivery estimates your customers see at checkout, so they have all the information they need to make a decision.

What Aveda does well

Like in our previous example, Aveda puts its featured deals front and centre. A revolving banner at the top of the homepage tells shoppers what’s on offer at different price points as an incentive to add more items to their cart.

On its shipping page, Aveda breaks down its shipping options with expected delivery times and costs. It also has helpful disclaimers explaining potential holiday disruptions, so customers know when to order to ensure their shampoo arrives in time. Finally, a separate tracking page makes it clear where to go to track an existing order.

Starshipit tip: Use shipping notifications to keep customers in the loop while a package is on its journey. This way, they won’t have to navigate through your website to see how close their order is to arriving.

Bonus beauty blogs

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

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

Next steps

The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to ship shampoo to all corners of the globe. Some of the key steps to success include:

• Compliance: Know your product and how it relates to international shipping regulations for liquids. Always include accurate shipping documents and any extra labels your shipping partners require.
• Packaging: Liquids pose a risk to your shipment and others onboard if there’s a spill. Leak-proof packaging, taped lids, snug boxes and absorbent materials are the key to safe international shipping for shampoo.
• Customer experience: Clear shipping timelines, multiple delivery options and comprehensive tracking will all make the process smoother for your customers.

Starshipit can help you with these steps and more. Try a 30-day free trial to check out features like automated rules for deliveries that need extra customs support, or branded shipping notifications so customers are kept updated in a way that matches your brand.

We also integrate with most major couriers and eCommerce platforms to optimise your current processes and help you successfully ship shampoo internationally. You can also book a personalised demo of the platform today, to get you set up for shampoo shipping success.