Can you ship skincare internationally?

The global skincare industry is thriving, with a projection to generate US$188.60 billion in revenue by the end of 2024. However, skincare isn’t just a routine – it’s becoming a movement. Since the pandemic, social media trends like Get Ready with Me (GRWM) and product deep-dives have amplified the spotlight on skincare, creating global demand and making it one of the fastest-growing beauty segments.

For skincare brands, meeting this demand internationally means more than just shipping products across borders. It requires careful compliance with ingredient-specific regulations, secure packaging to protect delicate formulas, and the ability to keep customers informed with real-time tracking.

In this guide, we’ll cover the essentials for shipping skincare worldwide, including top tips, carrier recommendations, and examples from successful brands paving the way.

Table of contents

• The best international shipping tips for skincare brands
  • Understand product-specific regulations
  • Package skincare for safe transit
  • Provide documentation for compliant shipping
  • Include order tracking and notifications
  • Be clear about your international returns policy
• Perfecting the carrier mix for skincare success
• Which carriers can ship skincare internationally?
  • Shipping skincare internationally with DHL
  • Shipping skincare internationally with FedEx
  • Shipping skincare internationally with UPS
• Examples of online skincare brands that ship internationally
  • Go-To Skincare: The friendly brand with global appeal
  • Glossier: A cult-classic brand with global reach
• Next steps

1. Understand product-specific regulations

When shipping skincare around the world, understanding product-specific regulations is essential. Many skincare products contain active or restricted ingredients, such as retinol, SPF, or acids, which can be subject to strict regulations in certain countries. These ingredients may even be classified differently across borders, requiring careful research to ensure compliance.

Before shipping to any destination, it’s important to check that your product ingredients are allowed, as some countries restrict or prohibit certain chemicals in skincare products. For example, Canada defines any substance used to clean, improve, or change the complexion, skin, hair, nails or teeth as a cosmetic. This means cosmetics would include skincare, but some items that you might consider a ‘cosmetic’ may be categorised as a different product type. An example of this would be an antibiotic skin cream, which aims to treat an infection with certain active ingredients – these ingredients would not be permitted as a cosmetic and would be considered a drug, which falls under different regulations.

Additionally, some regions may require documentation like an Ingredient Declaration or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for skincare items with active components.

When preparing to ship internationally, consider creating a checklist of your products’ key ingredients and matching them against import restrictions in each country you ship to. This way you aren’t caught off-guard, and neither are your customers.

• Start with leak-proof containers that securely hold liquids, reducing the risk of any spills during long-distance shipping.
• For added protection, include tamper-evident seals to give customers confidence that their product hasn’t been opened or altered along the way.
• If your products are sensitive to heat or cold – like serums or creams – consider insulated packaging or cold packs to help maintain their stability during transport.
• Including protective layers, such as bubble wrap or padded inserts, can also safeguard against impact during handling.

By focusing on secure, thoughtful packaging, you can build trust with your customers and protect your products as they make their journey across borders.

3. Provide documentation for compliant shipping

With so many rules and regulations, clear and accurate documentation is crucial when shipping skincare products internationally. Many countries require detailed product information to verify the safety and legality of cosmetics entering their borders, especially for skincare items containing active ingredients like retinol or SPF. Having the right documentation in place can prevent delays, extra fees, and even reduce returns.

Be sure to include detailed product descriptions with ingredients lists – customs officials often need a complete breakdown to ensure compliance with local regulations. Also keep in mind, certain skincare ingredients might require extra documentation depending on the destination. For example, sunscreens and some acids may need certification to meet health and safety standards. Knowing these requirements ahead of time can reduce customs issues and keep orders moving smoothly.

Starshipit tip: Automate your customs documentation with Starshipit and simplify cross-border shipping by automatically generating accurate paperwork for each shipment. This way, skincare brands can ensure their shipments comply with destination requirements, saving time and preventing any costly delays.

Real-time updates at key stages – like when an order ships, clears customs, or is out for delivery – build customer confidence and reduce “Where’s my order?” inquiries, showing that you’re just as invested in their order as they are.

Starshipit tip: Starshipit makes it easy to set up branded tracking pages and automated notifications that keep your customers excited and informed every step of the way. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference, helping you build lasting relationships with your customers.

5. Be clear about your international returns policy

Handling international returns for skincare can be tricky – hygiene standards and regulations around used products mean that the process is more complex than for most items. And with skincare, customers are often particular about product quality, making a smooth return experience crucial for maintaining trust.

Start by making your return policy crystal clear for customers. Let them know what’s eligible for return and if there are any restrictions on opened or used products. This transparency up front helps set expectations and avoids surprises.

A branded returns portal can also streamline the process, giving customers a simple, self-service experience if they need to make a return.

Starshipit tip: With Starshipit’s returns portal, handling returns is easy and efficient, giving your customers a positive experience, even when they need to send something back.

Perfecting the carrier mix for skincare success

Choosing the right mix of carriers is essential to ensure your skincare products arrive fresh and on time, wherever your customers are. While speed matters, offering a balanced range of delivery options lets customers decide what works best for them – whether it’s a fast but higher-cost option or a slower, more affordable choice.

For skincare, it’s also key to consider temperature stability, as some products are sensitive to heat or cold. Look for carriers with options that suit your products’ needs and keep shipping costs manageable. And if your products contain regulated ingredients, make sure your carriers are equipped to handle any cross-border compliance requirements. With the right carrier mix, you can keep your customers happy, your products safe, and your shipping costs under control.

Which carriers can ship skincare internationally?

Key points for shipping skincare with DHL:

• Regulatory compliance – Skincare products often include ingredients that are restricted or regulated in certain countries. DHL’s handling procedures align with international regulations, and their team can advise on safe packaging and documentation to help your products pass smoothly through customs.
• Packaging requirements – Skincare, especially liquids and glass-bottled products, needs careful packaging to prevent leaks or damage. DHL suggests using leak-resistant packaging, double-boxing, and adhering to IATA packaging guidelines to keep products safe throughout their journey.
• Delivery options – DHL’s Express Worldwide service is a reliable choice for quick international shipping, often reaching destinations within 1-3 business days. DHL also offers support for temperature-controlled shipments, ideal for skincare items that require stable conditions to maintain product quality.

Key considerations for shipping skincare with FedEx:

• Packaging requirements – FedEx has specific guidelines for packaging to prevent leaks or damage during transit. Skincare items, especially liquids, must be packaged securely with leak-proof materials and labeled appropriately to ensure safe handling. Inner and outer packaging should follow FedEx’s standards to reduce the risk of breakage.
• Service options – For fast international delivery, FedEx International Priority offers delivery within 1-3 business days, ideal for time-sensitive skincare shipments. FedEx International Economy provides a more budget-friendly option, with fully trackable shipping to maintain visibility at every step.
• Shipper responsibilities – you must prepare accurate documentation to meet regulatory requirements. This may include providing a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for certain ingredients and clear labeling for customs. FedEx also requires shippers to ensure all necessary documentation is accurate and complete, including any ingredient declarations or special handling instructions.

Here’s what you need to know to ship skincare with UPS:

• Classification and documentation – Skincare products with active or restricted ingredients must be accurately classified according to UPS and regulatory standards. This includes using the correct UN numbers, hazard labels, and completing a shipper’s declaration for items requiring special handling.
• Packaging requirements – UPS enforces strict guidelines to ensure safe packaging for sensitive skincare items. Liquids must be packaged securely with leak-proof materials, and glass or fragile containers should be padded to prevent breakage. UPS also requires that certain skincare items follow Limited Quantity provisions, especially for ground shipments.
• Restricted items – UPS places specific restrictions on air shipments of certain products, such as those containing alcohol or other regulated ingredients. For example, products with high alcohol content may only be shipped by air if they meet IATA standards, making it essential to confirm ingredient regulations before shipping.

Starshipit tip: Don’t rely on just one carrier – Starshipit enables multi-carrier integration, letting you easily switch between DHL, FedEx, UPS, and more, and helping you choose the best carrier for each destination. By offering flexibility to select the most compliant, cost-effective, and efficient option for every order, you can provide a seamless and streamlined shipping experience for skincare lovers worldwide.

Examples of online skincare brands that ship internationally

What Go-To Skincare does well

Go-To excels at creating a positive international shipping experience by offering clear, competitive shipping options to popular destinations, including New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Their approach is all about transparency: while duties and taxes are covered for certain regions like the UK, they’re upfront with customers from the “Rest of the World” that these charges may apply on delivery. Estimated delivery times are also provided by region, ensuring customers know what to expect and when.

By keeping customers informed with clear shipping costs, timelines, and delivery expectations, Go-To ensures a smooth journey from the cart to the customer’s doorstep, building trust with their international fan base.

Starshipit tip: Ship globally like Go-to Skincare by leveraging the power of multi-carrier integration with Starshipit, so you can manage shipping to various regions with ease, offering clear and accurate delivery timeframes at checkout. Plus, branded tracking keeps customers updated from dispatch to delivery, reducing “Where’s my order?” questions and enhancing their experience every step of the way.

What Glossier does well

Glossier provides clear, detailed shipping information for international customers. They offer both standard and express shipping options to many regions, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and more.

A key part of Glossier’s international strategy is their transparent communication about customs duties and taxes — customers are informed up front whether these fees are included in the order total, or if they’ll need to be paid at checkout. By setting clear expectations, Glossier helps international customers enjoy a seamless shopping experience, no matter where they are.

Starshipit tip: Follow Glossier’s lead and take the stress out of duties and taxes by using Starshipit to automate your customs documentation with your international carriers. This way, you can rest easy knowing you’ll stay compliant, and your customers can receive their orders without any hiccups or delays at the border.

Next steps

Shipping skincare internationally can feel like a challenge, but with the right approach, it becomes the perfect opportunity for your brand to shine on a global stage. From picking the perfect carrier mix to crafting secure, spill-proof packaging, you’re now equipped with all the essentials to send your products across borders smoothly – and give your customers a flawless experience from start to finish.

So, what’s next? Put these tips to work and get ready to see your brand grow in new markets. Every step you take to streamline the shipping experience, like automating customs or keeping customers in the loop with real-time tracking, brings you closer to building trust and loyalty with skincare lovers around the world.

Ready to take your skincare brand global? Start a free 30-day trial or book a personal demo with Starshipit today. Let us handle the logistics, so you can keep your customers glowing around the world.