Are Candles Considered Hazmat?
How to Tell And How to Ship Them If They Are

Candles may be cozy—but shipping them? That part can get heated.

Not all candles are hazmat—but some are. It depends on the ingredients and how flammable they are.

Here’s what can trigger a hazmat classification:

• Fragrance or essential oil content — especially alcohol-based ones

• Additives like alcohol or solvents

• Flash point below 140°F (the threshold for Class 3 Flammable Liquids)

👉 These are red flags for hazmat classification. If your candles lean heavily on scent or use novelty wax types, take a closer look.

Still not sure if your wax makes your candle hazardous? Flash point is the number to check.

The wax ingredients flashpoint tells you how easily the wax can ignite and whether you’re shipping a standard product or something that falls under hazmat regulations.

Here’s a quick look at how common wax types stack up so you can spot any red flags:

• Soy Wax: ~200°F — ✅ Not hazmat

• Beeswax: ~400°F — ✅ Not hazmat

• Paraffin Wax: ~390°F — ✅ Not hazmat

• Gel Wax: Often <140°F — ⚠️ Likely hazmat

Short answer: Yes—but there are some strings attached. Shipping hazardous candles is highly regulated and therefore come with a lot of carriers have specific rules:

• Ground shipping is usually allowed and generally more flexible, especially with proper labels and packaging.

• Air shipping? Not so much. Shipping candles by air is often restricted or prohibited altogether.

• International shipping is allowed, but comes with extra red tape like added documentation, compliance checks, and sometimes longer lead times. Partnering with a hazmat-ready 3PL is the way to go with this one.

Whether your candles are hazmat or not, packaging matters. Let’s break this down based on your candle’s classification:

Good news - you’re in the clear for standard shipping!

• Ship freely with USPS, UPS, or FedEx. International is good to go with standard customs forms.
• Use sturdy packaging materials to minimize breaking like double-walled boxes and bubble wrap
• Add labels like “Fragile” and “This Side Up” for more protection.

Hot Tip (literally): Try to avoid shipping candles in hot weather. Carrier trucks are not conditioned and your package could get stuck in the cargo bed for hours, increasing your melting risk. Expedited shipping services like UPS 2-day may be the safest option for summer orders.

You’ll need to do a bit more work by following these hazmat shipping protocols:

• Package in leakproof containers, aka, metal tins or glass jars with secure lids or closures.
  • Unfortunately, open-faced vessels don’t count. Since wax can melt or separate during transit, hazmat regulations require sealed or capped vessels to prevent leakage.
  • If your candle vessel doesn’t have a lid, place it inside a sealed, leakproof inner bag or secondary container to meet compliance.
• Use absorbent materials (e.g. vermiculite, hazmat pads or generous amounts of kraft paper) inside the box to safe guard against leaks
  • Plain bubble wrap or foam peanuts won’t cut it here - they’re non-absorbant.
• Use an outerbox rated for hazardous goods (UN-spec) with hazmat class 3 labels and shipping paperwork (e.g. SDS, DOT form 5800 - your carrier will specify)
  • If you qualify for Limited Quantity: A sturdy, non-UN-rated outer box is fine—as long as it’s durable enough for transit and has the Limited Quantity diamond label affixed. Full hazmat labels and documentation ius not required in this instance.
• Ship through ground services like USPS Ground Advantage, UPS Ground, or FedEX Ground.
  • Air shipping (like USPS priority or any express services) is off limits unless you’re fully certified and authorized for hazmat air transport.
• International shipping requires hazmat approval + documentation

Limited Quantity (LQ) shipping is a hazmat loophole for smaller shipments, letting you by-pass some of the nitty-gritty hazmat paperwork that larger shipments require.

Here are the key criterias to qualify:

• Each container must be ≤500 mL (for ground transport)
• Labels must include the LQ diamond (black and white square)
• You’ll still need proper packaging, but you can avoid full hazmat classification
• Great for small batch or DTC shipments

LQ shipments may still require carrier approval or documentation, so check with your 3PL or carrier contact.

Yes, but it depends on the candle and the platform.

Amazon FBA

• Requires hazmat review for any flammable product and possibly enrollment in the FBA Dangerous Goods program

• You may need to submit SDS and packaging details for FBA listings

Etsy / eBay

• Fewer restrictions, but still must follow carrier shipping rules (e.g., USPS vs UPS)

When in doubt, check platform-specific seller requirements. Ignoring them could get your listing suspended.

Shipping hazmat incorrectly comes with more risks than just a slap on the wrist. Risks include:

• Carrier package rejection or delays

• Regulatory fines from the DOT or FAA

• Suspended listings on Amazon, Etsy, and other platforms

Moral of the story: Don’t guess. It’s not worth it.

No. Only candles with flammable components like gel wax or alcohol-based fragrance oils.

Yes, if they aren’t flammable. If they are, you’ll need hazmat packaging and documents.

Usually not.

Most soy candles are not classified as hazardous and don’t require a hazmat label, unless they contain flammable additives that lower the flash point below 140°F. Check your SDS to be sure.

Yes, most candles can be shipped via USPS, UPS, or FedEx—as long as they’re not considered hazardous materials. Soy, beeswax, and paraffin candles with low fragrance levels are typically non-hazmat and safe to mail. Check your product’s SDS form to confirm.

Check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), specifically Section 9 (Physical and Chemical Properties). Look for a line called “Flash Point”—and make sure you’re reading it in the correct temperature unit (°F vs °C).

No. Under hazmat regulations, open glass candle vessels are not considered leakproof. If your candle is classified as hazardous, it must be shipped in a sealed container—either with a lid, or placed inside a sealed, leakproof bag or inner packaging. This helps prevent leaks if the candle melts, cracks, or spills in transit.

Yes for protection, but not for hazmat compliance.

Bubble wrap and packing peanuts are great for impact protection, especially with glass jars—but they are not absorbent and don’t meet hazmat packaging requirements on their own. If your candle is classified as hazmat, you’ll need to add absorbent material (like vermiculite, hazmat pads, or generous amounts of kraft paper) in addition to cushioning materials to stay compliant.

Yes, but some may be flagged as hazmat.

If your candles contain flammable ingredients (like fragrance oils, alcohol, or gel wax), Amazon may require Hazmat Review and enrollment in the FBA Dangerous Goods program.

You’ll need to provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and follow specific packaging rules. Non-hazmat candles (like soy or beeswax) typically go through without issues.

Yes. They’re typically not hazardous and can be shipped worldwide.

Yes. DOT regulations require certification for anyone handling hazardous shipments. Certification lasts three years before needing to be renewed.