How can you ship makeup & cosmetics internationally

With the self-care industry booming, international demand for beauty products has never been higher, and it’s set to keep rising. But as the opportunities rise for retailers, so do the challenges.

From shipping delicate items like foundations and lipstick to navigating strict customs regulations, beauty brands face the tricky task of meeting customer expectations for delivery.

According to Statista, over 50% of beauty shoppers expect fast delivery, with 38% wanting their orders within 24 hours – no pressure!

In this guide we’ll walk you through the best strategies for shipping makeup and cosmetics on a global scale, ensuring your customers receive their orders on time and in top condition.

Plus, we’ll take a look at how leading beauty brands like Sephora, Fenty Beauty, and The Ordinary have perfected the art of international shipping – giving you real-world examples to inspire your own global takeover.

Table of contents

• The best international shipping tips for makeup brands
  • Consider the shelf life of the product
  • Control warehouse temperature to protect products
  • Master the carrier mix: Balancing speed, cost and customer preferences
  • Use the best packaging for fragile makeup
  • Print the right dangerous goods documentation
  • Create a branded tracking page with timely notifications
• Which carriers can you ship makeup internationally with?
  • How to ship makeup and cosmetics internationally with DHL
  • How to ship makeup and cosmetics internationally with FedEx
  • How to ship makeup and cosmetics internationally with UPS
  • How to ship makeup and cosmetics internationally with CouriersPlease
• Examples of online makeup stores that ship internationally
  • Fenty Beauty: Global glam with transparent shipping
  • Sephora: A beauty powerhouse with global reach
  • The Ordinary: Affordable skincare across borders
• Next steps

Consider the shelf life of the product

Makeup has an expiration date, and international shipping adds another layer of complexity. Temperature fluctuations, long transit times, and improper storage can all negatively impact the quality of your products before they even reach your customers.

For makeup brands, ensuring that your products arrive fresh and intact is essential for maintaining customer trust. Consider the specific requirements of different products, like how liquid foundations or cream-based items are more sensitive to heat than powders or solid makeup.

Taking into account the shelf life of your products helps guide important decisions, from choosing packaging to selecting carriers with faster delivery options. Preserving product quality not only meets customer expectations, but also reduces return rates and the risk of complaints.

Ensure the temperature in your warehouse is set to protect your products from environmental damage, keeping them within a stable range to avoid any deterioration. Also consider using insulated packaging to offer an extra layer of protection, particularly when shipping to regions with unpredictable weather or during warmer months.

Master the carrier mix: Balancing speed, cost and customer preferences

Choosing the right mix of carriers is key to ensuring your products reach customers on time and in the best condition, no matter where in the world they’re located. While speed is important, it's not the only factor to consider. Providing a balanced range of delivery options allows customers to choose what suits them best—whether it's faster delivery for a cost premium or a more cost-effective option that takes a little longer.

For products sensitive to environmental conditions, like cosmetics, selecting carriers with appropriate delivery timeframes can prevent spoilage and maintain product quality. However, it's also important to keep an eye on how these shipping costs affect your business. The right carrier mix should provide both speed and affordability, ensuring your customers get their products when they need them without eating into your profit margins. Your mix of carriers should also ensure you stay compliant with any dangerous goods regulations – we’ll touch on that later in the article!

• Double-boxing – For items like perfumes or foundations in glass containers, double-boxing is essential. Place the product in a smaller box with padding materials, then pack that inside a larger shipping box with additional cushioning in between to absorb impacts.
• Cushioning materials – Use foam inserts, bubble wrap, or crumpled paper to prevent movement inside the package. Layer fragile items three to four times, ensuring no empty spaces within the container. Fill any gaps with foam peanuts or other light-weight cushioning materials to keep products from bumping into each other during transit.
• Sealing and extra protection – Seal packages securely using the H-taping method, where tape is applied to all the seams and edges of the box. For added protection from humidity and moisture, use pressure-sensitive tapes to prevent any damage in warmer weather conditions. This is especially important for long-distance international shipments.
• Leak-proof packaging for liquids – For perfumes, sprays, and other liquid cosmetics, pack them in leak-proof containers and place them upright to prevent spills. Additional protective layers can also help prevent breakage or leaks in transit, keeping other items in the shipment safe from any contamination.
• Sustainable packaging – Using eco-friendly packaging options like biodegradable bubble wrap or recyclable paper can not only protect your products but also appeal to eco-conscious customers. Brands that make sustainability a priority can strengthen relationships with customers who value responsible business practices.

Print the right dangerous goods documentation

Shipping cosmetics internationally requires more than just good packaging – some products are classified as dangerous goods (DG) and need to follow specific regulations. Here’s what beauty brands need to know to ensure smooth, compliant international shipping.

Classify your products correctly

Many beauty products are considered hazardous due to their ingredients, even some you might not expect. For example, perfumes are classified as flammable liquids because of their alcohol content, and aerosols fall under hazardous materials due to compressed gases.

Understanding these classifications is key to filling out the right documentation and packaging your products according to international standards. Here are some common beauty products that are classified as Dangerous Goods:

• Aerosol sprays (e.g., hairsprays, deodorants)
  • Class 2.1: Flammable gases
• Nail polish and nail polish remover
  • Class 3: Flammable liquids (due to acetone or ethyl acetate content)
• Perfume and fragrances
  • Class 3: Flammable liquids (due to alcohol content)
• Hair dyes (containing peroxide)
  • Class 5.1: Oxidizing substances
• Hair straightening/ smoothing products (containing formaldehyde)
  • Class 6.1: Toxic substances
• Acetone-based products (e.g., nail polish remover)
  • Class 3: Flammable liquids
• Certain skin lightening creams (containing hydroquinone or mercury compounds)
  • Class 6.1: Toxic substances
• Solvent-based makeup removers
  • Class 3: Flammable liquids
• Compressed gas cartridges (for airbrush makeup)
  • Class 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases
• Essential oils (with flammable volatile oils)
  • Class 3: Flammable liquids

Use HS codes for smooth customs clearance

Each product shipped internationally needs a Harmonized System (HS) code, which is used by customs authorities to identify and categorise products. Dangerous goods like cosmetics require specific HS codes for correct classification. Failing to use the right HS code can result in customs delays, fines, or returned goods. Ensure every shipment is labeled with the correct HS code to help streamline customs clearance.

Complete dangerous goods documentation

You’ll need to include a Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) with every shipment that includes hazardous materials. This form provides information on the type of dangerous goods you’re shipping, including the UN number, the class of the dangerous good, and any special handling or packaging instructions. Ensure that hazard labels are clearly visible on the outside of the package.

Starshipit tip: Use Starshipit’s automation tools to generate accurate customs documentation and automatically include the correct HS codes on each shipment to avoid customs delays and fines.

Create a branded tracking page with timely notifications

A great post-purchase experience keeps customers coming back, and branded tracking pages are key to maintaining engagement. Instead of sending customers to a generic carrier site, create a custom tracking page with your logo and style. Then add real-time order updates via email or SMS so your customers know when their order is packed, shipped, out for delivery, or delayed. Clear communication around delivery timelines builds trust, and proactive notifications reduce customer service inquiries.

Starshipit tip: With Starshipit, you can easily create personalised tracking pages and set up automated notifications that update your customers at each stage of the delivery process, ensuring a smooth, transparent post-purchase experience.

Which carriers can you ship makeup internationally with?

Shipping makeup internationally involves choosing a carrier that can handle fragile and potentially hazardous products, ensuring they arrive safely and on time.

Before shipping these items, it’s important to note that with most eligible dangerous goods carriers, shippers need to be pre-approved and trained to handle dangerous goods in accordance with IATA (air) or ADR (road) regulations.

The right carriers will streamline the process, build trust with your customers, and give your brand a competitive edge, while keeping you fully compliant.

Some of the top carriers for shipping makeup and cosmetics globally include DHL, FedEx, UPS, and CouriersPlease, all offering reliable solutions tailored to the needs of beauty brands.

Here’s what to consider when shipping beauty products with DHL:

• Compliance with regulations – Makeup, especially products with perfumes and aerosols, are classified as dangerous goods. DHL ensures your shipment complies with hazardous material regulations by offering services for packaging and handling these items.
• Packaging considerations – Fragile items, such as glass-bottled makeup, must be securely packed with leak-proof materials. DHL recommends using double-boxing techniques and following IATA and ADR packaging standards to prevent damage or leakage during transit.
• Delivery services – DHL’s Express Worldwide service is ideal for shipping makeup internationally, offering delivery in 1-3 business days to many destinations. They also support shipments of dangerous goods in limited quantities (LQ) and temperature-sensitive products.

Here’s some key information to remember when shipping beauty products with FedEx:

• Packaging requirements – Packaging must be leak-proof, secure, and clearly labeled with appropriate hazardous material identifiers. FedEx provides specific guidelines for inner and outer packaging to prevent spills and breakage.
• Service options – FedEx International Priority is ideal for urgent dangerous goods shipments, ensuring delivery within 1-3 business days. FedEx International Economy offers more cost-effective options while still allowing dangerous goods, with all shipments fully trackable.
• Shipper responsibilities – Shippers must ensure correct documentation, including Dangerous Goods Declarations (DGD), and labels. FedEx also requires the inclusion of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) where applicable to ensure compliance with regulations and safe handling.

When shipping makeup and cosmetics with UPS, here’s what to consider:

• Classification and documentation – Each dangerous good must be correctly classified under UPS and regulatory guidelines. This includes using the appropriate UN numbers, hazard labels, and completing a shipper’s declaration.
• Packaging requirements – UPS enforces strict packaging guidelines for hazardous materials to ensure safe transportation. For makeup products, this often includes leak-proof packaging for liquids and sturdy, padded materials for fragile items like glass bottles. UPS also requires that dangerous goods be packaged according to the Limited Quantity provisions for certain ground services.
• Restricted items – UPS has specific restrictions on certain hazardous items, especially when it comes to air shipments. For example, perfumes and aerosols can be shipped by air only if they comply with stringent IATA regulations. UPS does not accept lithium batteries packed separately (UN3480) for air transport, which is good to know for makeup devices like rechargeable airbrushes.

Here's what you should keep in mind when shipping cosmetics with CouriersPlease:

• Limited acceptance of dangerous goods – CouriersPlease only accepts a limited range of dangerous goods for shipping. For example, cosmetics such as nail polish, perfumes, or aerosol sprays may be restricted, so it’s important to verify whether your goods are acceptable before booking.
• Packaging requirements – Any dangerous goods accepted by CouriersPlease must be securely packaged according to Australian dangerous goods regulations. This includes using approved containers, hazard labeling, and ensuring proper documentation. For cosmetics, this might include leak-proof containers for liquids or aerosols and cushioning to prevent breakage during transit.
• Documentation and declarations – As with other carriers, shippers are required to provide a dangerous goods declaration form. This document ensures that your shipment complies with regulatory requirements.

Examples of online makeup stores that ship internationally

What Fenty does well

Now, beauty lovers worldwide can access Fenty’s iconic products thanks to their flexible international shipping options. For orders over $75 USD, Fenty offers free standard shipping, giving customers even more reasons to shop. For smaller orders, shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on the destination and shipping option selected, ensuring transparency and no surprises.

Fenty also offers Express shipping, delivering orders in as little as 2-6 business days. Whether standard or express shipping is chosen, all shipments come with tracking, allowing customers to stay updated on their order’s journey from warehouse to doorstep.

Additionally, customers can opt for duty-paid or duty-unpaid shipping, providing flexibility based on local customs requirements. Select products, such as Fenty’s Eau de Parfum, are classified as hazardous materials and are shipped internationally via DHL Express, ensuring safe and compliant delivery.

Starshipit tip: Use Starshipit’s multi-carrier integration to set up flexible shipping options that suit your customers. You can then configure live rates at checkout, so shoppers know exactly what to expect when it comes to shipping costs.

What Sephora does well

Sephora doesn't cut corners on international shipping. Partnering with trusted carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL, they ensure everyone’s favourite makeup, skincare, and fragrances arrive safely and efficiently.

Additionally, with tracking information available, customers can monitor their haul's journey and get ready to experience the joy of Sephora, no matter where they are in the world.

Starshipit tip: With Starshipit, you can offer your customers a seamless post-purchase experience by automatically sending branded tracking updates at each step of the shipping process. Keep your customers engaged and informed, boosting satisfaction and reducing customer service inquiries.

What The Ordinary does well

The brand’s success with international shipping can be attributed to its clear communication of shipping times and costs at checkout, ensuring customers know what to expect. The Ordinary is also known for its transparency with customers, offering detailed tracking and updates during the shipping process.

Despite challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ordinary managed to maintain its global shipping presence by continuously working with a range of carriers across regions, including Australia Post, Canada Post, Royal Mail, UPS, DHL, and USPS, to adapt to changing demands. This approach has allowed them to stay resilient and maintain a seamless customer experience across borders.

Starshipit tip: Use Starshipit to manage all your carriers in one unified platform, then use the powerful rules engine to assign the best carrier for each order. Whether it’s based on location, speed, service type, or a combination of factors – you’ll take the guesswork out of shipping to provide a seamless customer experience.

Next steps

International shipping can be a challenge for beauty brands, but with the right strategies in place, you can ensure your products arrive safely and in perfect condition. Whether it’s choosing the best carriers, understanding how to pack delicate items, or navigating customs documentation, being prepared helps you build trust and loyalty with your customers.

Take notes from beauty giants like Sephora, Fenty Beauty, and The Ordinary, who have mastered the art of shipping their products globally. By offering transparency, efficient delivery, and customer-centric shipping options, they’ve given their logistics strategy a global glow-up with flawless fulfilment.

Ready to supercharge your beauty brand’s international shipping process? With Starshipit, you can automate customs documentation, manage multiple carriers, and offer a seamless post-purchase experience. Book a custom demo or start your free 30-day trial today and unlock tools that will help you ship faster, smarter, and more efficiently.