People all over the world spend countless hours searching for the perfect perfume, leading to an increased demand for unique scents from different regions. This demand has sparked an increase in global perfume shipping.
If you’re a perfume maker, learning how to ship perfume internationally can help you expand your reach and grow your brand. Take a look at this guide to learn more about how to ship perfume internationally without all the hassle.
Shipping perfume can be challenging because perfume is classified as a dangerous good. Perfume contains alcohol, and that alcohol is flammable. When you ship perfume, you have to follow a step-by-step procedure:
Proper preparation results in faster customs clearance, minimized risk of damage or return and better adherence to safety regulations.
Most perfumes have an alcohol content of at least 24%, which means they’re a UN Class 3 flammable liquid with strict handling requirements.
Leaks and breakages can cause damage to other cargo and create an increased fire risk on aircraft or ships. Undeclared or improperly packed dangerous goods can result in legal and financial penalties, and there’s a strong likelihood carriers will refuse your shipment anyway.
Perfume shipping regulations vary depending on where you’re at. The European Union uses EU-language labeling, while the United States follows IATA regulations.
Some countries may prohibit private perfume imports altogether, or require special health or import permits for private perfume imports.
Duty structures, labeling translations and documentation requirements can vary by market, so it’s important to ensure you’re meeting specific market requirements.
UN Class 3 flammable liquids are liquids that have a flash point below 60° C or an alcohol content of at least 24%. Because of this criteria, perfumes typically fall under UN1266 or UN1933 classification.
When you’re shipping perfume internationally, it’s important to reference each product’s Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) for the exact UN number.
IATA Packing Instruction 650 for limited-quantity shipments by air caps packaging volumes and total package weight. ICAO standards mirror IATA standards, and exceeding limited quantities triggers full DG training and airline approvals.
Sea freight hazmat rules can also vary from air freight rules, including container segregation and International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code compliance.
When shipping perfume, it’s best to use a three-layer system. Perfume should be stored in a sealed container, that sealed container should be stored in a watertight bag or inner box, and the outer carton must meet PI 650 specs.
Commonly approved materials include high-density polyethylene bottles, tested glass vials with screw caps and UN-certified fiberboard boxes.
The packaging you use has to pass performance tests including drop, pressure and leakproofness tests.
Perfume should be wrapped in bubble wrap or molded foam to provide enough padding on the inner and outer packaging to prevent movement and absorb shocks. Water-resistant tape can be used to seal the secondary enclosure and eliminate the risk of leaks.
Flammable liquids have specific labeling requirements. Packaging should include a red diamond “3” flammable liquid symbol, a proper shipping name (like “Perfumery products, UN1266”), a net quantity and shipper/consignee details. You can also add a “Fragile” label with orientation arrows to prevent handling errors.
All labels should be durable and resistant to abrasion and moisture to ensure readability.
Carriers will inspect critical MSDS sections, including hazard identification, composition and handling instructions.
When you fill out the shipper’s declaration, make sure you fill out the UN number, packing group, net quantity per inner pack, total package count and emergency contact fields.
There may also be carrier-specific forms or digital declarations along with standard dangerous goods paperwork.
Air freight is ideal for rapidly transporting high-value shipments of perfume, but strict quantity limits can make it a less appealing option for bulk shipments.
Sea freight is more cost-effective for bulk shipments but you also have to follow IMDG Code procedures. Sea shipments also require proper container manifests, and the port-side hazmat handling process can be longer.
Top carriers like FedEx, UPS and DHL have dangerous goods desks, specialized packaging options and online DG booking platforms to make it easier to ship perfume internationally.
Dangerous goods surcharges can increase shipping costs significantly, with average dangerous goods surcharges ranging from 20-50%. Advance approval lead times and route-specific bans can make choosing a carrier more complex.
Before choosing a carrier, verify each carrier’s DG guidelines for alcoholic products and obtain written confirmation of acceptance.
Harmonized System (HS) code 3303 covers perfumery, cosmetic and toilet preparations. Some countries also have subheadings for “cologne” or “eau de parfum.”
Scan local tariff schedules to make sure you’re using the correct 8- or 10-digit code to calculate duties.
When you fill out your customs declaration form, provide a clear product description, unit values, total values, origin country and consignee details.
You should also include line items for packaging, freight and insurance to support Cost, Insurance, Freight (CIF) value calculations.
Some origin countries may require an export license for alcohol-based goods above a certain volume. Consult with a customs broker or trade lawyer to get a better understanding of these complex regulations.
Duty rates are often based on CIF value, with fragrance duties ranging from 6-12% in many markets. You may also have to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) or a Goods and Services Tax (GST) on top of duties, so it’s important to include them in landed-cost estimates for the recipient.
Full-value coverage that includes product replacement, duties and return shipping is ideal for shipping perfume internationally. Keep an eye out for policy exclusions for hazardous materials and make sure that flammable liquid shipments are covered.
If you need to file a claim, you’ll need photos of the damage, the original invoice, the waybill and DG paperwork.
Most carrier portals offer robust tracking capabilities. You can register for email or SMS alerts to receive real-time updates on your shipments, monitoring customs scans and in-flight movement.
You can also integrate tracking APIs into a customer-facing portal so your customers can receive regular updates on the shipment.
In the event of a shipment exception, you should contact the dangerous goods desk to provide missing paperwork or arrange re-inspection.
Claims must be filed within carrier-specified timeframes, and you need to provide evidence that includes photos, an invoice and a packing list.
Here are some common mistakes you’ll want to avoid when you’re learning how to ship perfume internationally:
You can ship perfume in your luggage as long as you abide by FAA limits. Individual containers can’t exceed 0.5kg or 500ml.
Perfume is a hazardous material because of its high alcohol content, which makes it a fire hazard if handled improperly.
Proper preparation is the best way to reduce custom delays. You may want to consider working with a trade lawyer or customs broker.
Air freight perfume exports have strict quantity limits, so it’s important to research these limits before shipping perfume globally.
Perfume shipments should be insured with coverage that includes product replacement, duties and return shipping if necessary.
Learning how to ship perfume internationally may seem overwhelming, but meticulous planning eliminates most of the hassles. Adhering to IATA/ICAO/IMDG rules ensures a smooth shipping process.
Working with dangerous goods experts makes it even easier to ship perfume internationally. If you want to streamline the process, consider consulting a trade lawyer or customs broker.
Sandra Malouf is the President of Eurolog Packing Group and has spent her career focused on Industrial Packaging. With a proven track record of helping businesses avoid supply chain disruptions, Sandra’s visionary leadership elevates the industry. She’s committed to developing sustainable practices and continues to shape the future of industrial packaging by listening to the customer and offering unique solutions applicable to various industries across the world. The company’s main focus is temperature stabilization and moisture damage prevention in exports affected by extreme variations in global temperatures.
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