How to ship perfume internationally – Including carrier guides (FedEx, DHL and more)

Shipping perfume internationally is a growing business. Sure, there’s still a charm to trying fancy fragrances in high-end stores, but once people find a favourite, they’ll usually want to get their hands on it as quickly and reliably as possible.

A report from Statista found that nearly 780 million shoppers are buying their signature scents on eCommerce platforms. In this $3 billion market for fragrances, 25% of perfume and cologne sales are made online.

If your business sells fragrances to a range of markets, you might be wondering how to ship perfume internationally while abiding by the range of customs rules and regulations. If you’re looking to learn about courier guidelines and packaging best practices, we’ve got you covered.

Understanding international shipping regulations for perfume

The most important international shipping regulation to keep in mind when shipping perfume is that it counts as a dangerous good. While perfumes and colognes are made up of a range of different ingredients, the alcohol content makes them flammable and therefore subject to strict regulations when shipping internationally.

Specifically, perfumes and colognes are Class 3 Dangerous Goods which will impact everything from packaging requirements, courier availability and customs rules at each destination. It’s important to be aware of the destination regulations for all the countries you currently ship to and to review the rules each time you open up to a new market as well. Having packages held up or rejected due to customs issues is a real risk for companiesand could mean missing out on that lucrative international market for fragrances.

How to package perfume for shipping overseas

Perfume’s status as a dangerous good means you need to take extra care with its packaging. On top of that, fragrances are often a luxury purchase that relies on good branding, so any damage to the bottle or box could impact customer satisfaction.

Shipping internationally is already a challenge when it comes to putting an order together, so here are some tips for how to package perfume when shipping overseas:

1. Have the right packaging materials

If a fragile perfume bottle breaks during shipping, it’s not just your order that could be compromised. Remember these international orders are travelling thousands of kilometres and could be handled by people and conveyor belts, as they’re moved from van to plane to truck to container. A fragile sticker is a warning, but it won’t actually offer any protection. There are a few options for packing around the bottle including:

• Bubble wrap
• Packing peanuts
• Leak-proof packaging

If your company is trying to make its shipping more sustainable, this is a great place to start. More eco-friendly options for filler and packaging are hitting the market and can greatly reduce your waste footprint.

2. Package perfume effectively

The right packaging materials for shipping perfume internationally then need to be put in the right kind of box. A handful of packing peanuts in an oversized box is going to put the product at a greater risk of damage. Take care when you’re boxing up perfumes and remember to:

• Select a box that can fit snugly around the perfume’s original packaging
• Prioritise leak-proof boxes and containers
• Never put two glass bottles in the same box
• Fill any gaps with packaging materials
• Tape an “X” over any screw top bottles

3. Label orders correctly

This is one of the big challenges when it comes to shipping perfume internationally. Any time a package contains dangerous goods, it is subject to a strict set of rules determining what has to be displayed on the various shipping labels. While this may vary by courier or destination country, generally when shipping perfume internationally a package will require:

• A courier label with address and other product details
• A dangerous goods label clearly stating what class the contents belong to
  • Perfume is a Class 3 dangerous good and has the designation UN 1266
• Relevant customs information included within the package

Starshipit tip

Our “scan to select packaging” feature notifies staff to put orders with strict requirements in the correct packaging.

When shipping dangerous goods with them, FedEx expects you to:

• Correctly identify a shipment as containing dangerous goods while using the correct class code, UN Number and technical definition for the item.
• Have items securely packed with the proper declarations and labels as expected by customs in the destination country.
• Take shipping perfume international seriously and know there are strict penalties for those who don’t follow the guidelines.

Some of the key FedEx services you can use to make your international shipping as smooth as possible include:

• Online cost estimators
• Guidance for filling out and submitting customs documentation
• A range of delivery speed options, including Day-Definite eCommerce Shipping and International Next Flight for the fastest possible transport

DHL recommends you:

• Select the right shipping method: DHL notes air freight is a favoured option for shipping perfume due to the controlled environment it is stored in. However, sea freight can be more cost-effective.
• Understand the regulations in the destination country: Along with the correct documentation, you’ll have to comply with laws around the quantity of liquids you can ship in one package.

DHL is one of many leading couriers that integrates with Starshipit to automate the dangerous goods shipping process. We can help automate the process with custom rules that flag shipments with special conditions and assign them to couriers that are able to reliably deliver them.

When shipping perfume internationally with UPS, you can choose from a range of options to get your orders to customers, including:

• UPS Express Critical – for the most urgent orders
• UPS Worldwide Express Plus – for orders that can take 2-5 days
• Standard Shipping, Day Definite – for orders on a budget

• Pack the product in a leak-proof container.
• Ensure the bottle is surrounded by a strong outer shell like another box with packing materials.
• Include absorbent packing material where possible in case of any leaks in transit.

If you integrate Australia Post with Starshipit, you can manage dangerous goods orders from a central dashboard, and even use automation to ensure the right courier is selected for orders like these that require more care.

How to ship dangerous goods using Starshipit

Every carrier has different requirements for shipping dangerous goods, like perfume and alcohol. Using Starshipit, you can simplify the process:

• Pick the right carrier for the products you're shipping. For example, you might use a combination of Australia Post, Sherpa and Star track.
• Set up automation rules that automatically assign dangerous goods orders to the couriers that are able to transport them. This means you can rest assured knowing your perfume products will be handled with care by the carriers able to transport them – and you’re keeping things above board!
• Set up automation rules at checkout to only show certain carrier options when alcoholic products are in the cart. For example, if an item SKU contains "R18", set the carrier for checkout to Australia Post.

Wrap up

Shipping perfume internationally is possible with the right partners and the right tools to help you. By taking care to package orders according to dangerous goods regulations, and by using platforms like Starshipit to assign orders to reliable couriers, you can make it easier to ship perfume and cologne to customers overseas. The more you plan ahead to align with these experienced international shipping partners, the easier this process will be.

Ready to take the next step? Start a free trial and see how Starshipit can optimise your international shipping processes with strategic automation.