Shipping Nail Polish? Here’s Your Complete Guide to Hazmat Fulfillment

Flammable beauty products require more than standard shipping—compliance is must and mistakes can be costly.

Shipping a hazardous material like nail polish isn’t just about having the right box you’ll need the right paperwork to match, too.

Here's your cheat sheet:

• • Safety Data Sheet (SDS): Think of this as your product’s ID – this “must-have” outlines the chemical composition, hazards, and handling instructions for the product. Carriers and customs officials rely on this to verify the nature of the contents.
  • Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods (Air Shipments): Shipping your nail polish by air? This form is non-negotiable. It certifies that the package meets all IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations. It must be completed and signed by a trained hazmat shipper.
  • Bill of Lading (BOL): For ground shipments, especially LTL or freight, a BOL is required. It’s used to detail what’s being shipped, where it’s going, and how it should be handled.
  • Carrier-Specific Hazmat Documentation: UPS, USPS, DHL and FedEx have their own forms and documentation required to ship hazmat products through their platforms- many requiring advanced approval and verification of training credentials as well.
  • Limited Quantity Exception Marking (if applicable): If your shipments qualify under the Limited Quantity rule (due to smaller container volumes), this must be documented and properly labeled on your packaging.

Missing or incorrect paperwork is a top reason shipments get rejected. Double-check that you have these documents ready—and accurately filled out—so you can avoid delays and costly fees.

The outside of your package must feature:

• • Hazard Class 3 label (Flammable liquid)
  • UN1263 code
  • “Limited Quantity” marking (for eligible small-volume shipments)
  • Orientation arrows (as needed)

Always include these documents when shipping nail polish requires:

• • Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from your manufacturer
  • Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods (for air shipments)
  • Carrier-specific hazmat paperwork (UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc.)

Not all carriers play nice with nail polish:

• • USPS: Nope, not happening. USPS prohibits most flammable liquids, including nail polish

  • UPS: Accepts nail polish if you have hazmat approval and trained personnel

  • FedEx: Accepts nail polish if you have hazmat approval and trained personnel

  • DHL: Accepts nail polish for international and domestic shipping, but only with proper hazmat certification, packaging, and approval. Not all services apply—check with your rep.

Word to the wise: Secure carrier approvals beforehand—it’ll save you some major headaches.

If your team handles packaging, labeling, or documentation for nail polish, hazmat training is legally required.

Training covers:

• • Material classification
  • Packaging and labeling protocols
  • Emergency response steps
  • Security awareness

Pro Tip: Training must be renewed every 3 years with records kept handy for audits.

Painting your nails? DIY friendly 💅

Shipping nail polish? Not so much ❌

Shipping nail polish yourself might feel manageable at first—but the stress of navigating hazmat regulations, maintaining compliance, and avoiding costly mistakes can quickly stack up. Partnering with an experienced 3PL takes those worries off your plate, so you can focus on creating products your customers love.

Here's how a 3PL can help:

Compliant Storage

• • Hazmat-ready, climate-controlled warehouse
  • Secure storage that meets regulatory standards

Certified Fulfillment Handling

• • Trained staff to pack, label, and ship flammable liquids
  • Proper use of UN-certified packaging and hazard labels

Documentation Management

• • SDS handling for every SKU
  • Shipper’s Declarations and hazmat forms submitted correctly

Carrier Coordination

• • Pre-approved with major carriers like FedEx and UPS
  • Accurate paperwork and routing based on shipping method

Risk & Compliance Support

• • Avoid regulatory fines and shipping delays
  • Ensure full compliance with DOT and carrier rules

Interest peaked? We love helping brands brainstorm how to offload time consuming logistics and scale their growth. Reach out to our team to talk shop!

Yes. If it contains flammable solvents (and most do), it’s classified as a Class 3 Flammable Liquid.

It depends. Ground shipping is more flexible. Air shipping often has restrictions. Always check IATA and country-specific regulations.

No. USPS prohibits most nail polish due to flammability risks.

Yes—but only if you have hazmat approval. You’ll need to be a registered hazmat shipper and comply with FedEx’s specific requirements for Class 3 flammable liquids, including proper packaging, labeling, and documentation.

Yes. UPS accepts hazardous materials like nail polish, but you must have a hazmat contract in place and follow all compliance steps, including shipper certification and proper documentation.

It depends. DHL has stricter limitations on hazardous materials, especially for international shipments. You’ll need to check their latest Dangerous Goods guidelines and confirm eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Approval is required in advance.

If each bottle is under a certain volume (usually <1 liter), and total package volume is low, you may qualify for less strict labeling. Still, UN-certified packaging is required.

Ask your manufacturer or supplier—they should include one with your products since it’s a legal requirement for hazmat shipping.

Yes. Anyone handling packaging, labeling, or documentation must be trained and certified. Certification typically lasts three years—after that, retraining is required to keep your shipments compliant and avoid penalties