How to Ship Soy Candles Safely Without Melting

So your pretty soy wax candle arrives at the customer’s home as a glob of greasy wax? It must have melted in transit. This can be really disappointing for customers. However, there are lots of ways to pack, cool, and send your candles all summer long so that they arrive in perfect condition.

Let’s explore how to ship soy candles safely in summer, without a meltdown!

At What Temperature Do Soy Candles Melt?

Before we discuss the steps to ship soy candles safely, let’s understand the temperature zone you should note. 

Soy wax starts to get soft around 110-120°F (43-49°C). And soy candles have a full melt pool at 120-135°F or 49-57°C.

But wait; just because it is 90 degrees outside in the summer does not mean that it is 90 degrees in a cargo hold or in the back of a delivery truck. In fact, temperatures can reach as high as 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit there.

When your soy candles are packaged up in a sealed box, the temperature can quickly rise and cause serious problems with the wax. It can cause the wax to expand, bleed out the fragrance oils, and shift from perfectly centered in the container to asymmetrical. In extreme cases, your candle can even melt completely out of the container.

Must-Have Summer Packaging Materials

Proper, high-quality candle packaging is your first line of defense against ambient heat. The goal is simple: keep thermal conductivity low and lock cool air inside the package.

Well then, let’s list the necessary packaging materials to pack your soy candles for shipping. 

• Double-wall corrugated boxes. Speaking of the best candle box materials, corrugated has a thicker structure than a standard box. Thus, it provides natural insulation for your soy candle.
• Large bubble wrap: Large bubble wrap slows heat transfer by creating individual air-filled cells.
• Gel ice packs: Gel ice packs are far superior to the standard ice packs and are ‘sweat-proof’, which means they won’t melt in transit.
• Insulated box liners: Inner boxes made of thermal insulation foam or lined with reflective foil to prevent heat radiating from your packaged candle (s).
• Air pillows or packing peanuts: These items are required to fill all void space in your package so that no hot pockets are created.
• Heat-resistant packaging tape. Use heavy-duty packaging tape made of acrylic or a special type of paper called gummed paper; they are ideal for hot weather, as they hold up and stay sealed.

Quick Reference: Box Sizes, Ice Packs & Thermal Protection

How to Package Soy Candles for Summer Shipping: Step by Step

Once you have gathered all the materials, let’s start packing your soy candles. 

• Step 1: Wrap Individually

Individually wrap your soy candle in heavy-duty inner packaging material (such as bubble wrap). Then secure each candle with tape.

• Step 2: Line the Box with Thermal Insulation

Place the reflective foil liners on all six internal sides of the box.

• Step 3: Add Gel Ice Packs

Wrap the packs in paper towels first to absorb any water that may leak from the packs. Place the packs in your candle box on the top or sides (heat rises to the top of a box).

• Step 4: Insert Your Candles Upright

To prevent the wick of soft candles from being pulled to one side, place them upright in the box.

• Step 5: Fill All the Empty Space

Fill all the empty space within the outer shipping box with air pillows or packing materials.

• Step 6: Seal Every Seam

Use heavy-duty tape to seal every seam of the flaps to prevent hot air from entering the package.

• Step 7: Double-Boxing

Place the insulated box inside a slightly larger outer candle shipping box. Then fill the space between the two boxes with cushioning to prevent movement during shipping.

Choosing the Right Candle Box Style for Summer Shipping

Not all candle boxes handle heat and pressure the same way. The structural style of your box plays a big role in keeping hot air out and structural integrity intact.

Here is how common candle box styles hold up in summer:

• Corrugated Candle Boxes

The champion for summer transit. Dual-layered fluting creates pockets of trapped air that naturally block external heat, while providing heavy-duty crush resistance.

• Tuck Top Candle Boxes

Great for inner product packaging or light shipments. Their tight top flaps minimize gaps where hot air can leak in, especially when sealed with strong packaging tape.

• Lock Bottom Candle Boxes

Excellent for single, heavy soy candles in glass jars. The interlocking bottom flap prevents heavy, heat-softened candles from pushing through the base during transport.

• Two-Piece Candle Boxes

Put them inside a larger shipping box. The overlapping lids of these boxes make a great thermal protector. The seams of the lids are sealed as they are opened and closed but are not airtight on their own.

• Magnetic Closure Candle Boxes

High-end candle packaging for an unboxing experience that affects brand loyalty. However, the magnets by themselves are not sufficient to keep a box closed in heat or rough handling. Pack them in bubble wrap or inside a corrugated shipping box.

When Should You Ship Soy Candles in Summer?

Your package’s safety is more important than the packaging safety. Do not let your packages collect dust in the warehouse over the weekend- ship in a timely manner.

Here are the best times to ship your soy candles in summer.

• Ship Your Candles on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday

Ship your candles in time so they arrive before the end of the week. Don’t let your candles get stuck in some dark warehouse over the weekend.

• Request Morning Pickups

Make sure to request a morning pickup time, so your packages are not left to sit in the hot delivery vans in the afternoon.

• Do Not Ship Between Thursday-Friday

If you ship on Thursday-Friday, your packages typically spend time in Distribution Centers unconditioned over the weekend on Saturday & Sunday.

• Track the Weather

Hold your candle shipment until the weather cools down if the entire route is in the midst of a 100°F+ heat wave but the customer’s area is not.

7 Candle Shipping Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these costly errors to keep your summer delivery success rate high.

• Using Regular Ice Instead of Gel Packs

Regular ice turns into water, ruining your box and candle labels. Always use leak-proof gel ice packs.

• Placing Ice Packs Directly Against Candle Jars

Direct contact with freezing packs can cause extreme temperature changes that can crack glass or even cause discoloration to wax.  Always wrap leak-proof gel ice packs in paper or bubble wrap before placing them against a candle jar.

• Insufficient Void Fill

Leaving empty room inside the box creates hot air pockets that accelerate melting.

• Overpacking a Single Box

Packing too many candles together in a single box traps heat. Split large orders into multiple insulated boxes when necessary.

• Thursday or Friday Shipment

The greatest cause of melted candles is weekend delivery delays.

• Ignoring Destination Weather

Melted wax can also happen because you are at a mild temperature and forget that where you are sending the candle is not as cool as where you are. So, always check the weather at the destination before you ship the candles.

• Skipping Candle Wax Research

Different soy blends have different melt points. Know your specific wax formula’s heat threshold before setting your summer shipping policy.

The Takeaway

Undoubtedly, the best way to ship soy candles in hot weather is to pack them up safely, try to control the temperature that they are in, and ship them off as quickly as you can. Using double-wall boxes, the best insulation available for the packaging, gel ice packs, and shipping out your packages at the beginning of the week for a 2-3 day delivery will do your customers and packages good.

By following the steps above, your candle shipping will run safely in the summer. Ultimately, your customers will appreciate the extra step you took to ensure their beautiful candle didn’t melt in transit.

FAQs

At What Temperature Do Soy Candles Melt?

Soy wax starts to get soft around 110-120°F (43-49°C). And soy candles have a full melt pool at 120-135°F or 49-57°C.

What type of box is best for shipping soy candles safely? 

Choose a corrugated candle box made up of a thicker structure than a standard box. It provides natural insulation for your soy candle inside.

When Should I Ship Soy Candles in Summer?

Ship your candles on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, so they arrive before the end of the week.

Can I use regular ice instead of gel packs when shipping candles? 

Regular ice turns into water, ruining your box and candle labels. Always use leak-proof gel ice packs when shipping candles.