Posting Candles, Ceramics and Other Fragile Items in NZ

Pack for the worst trip, not the best one

Assume the parcel will be dropped and stacked. Wrap each item on its own, then pack it so nothing can move: give it about 5cm of padding on every side and fill the gaps. Give the box a gentle shake before you seal it. If you can hear or feel anything shift, add more padding.

For ceramics and glass, a box inside a box works well: the item in a small padded box, floated in a bigger one with padding between the two. Wrap handles and spouts separately, as they are the first things to break.

• Each item wrapped on its own
• About 5cm of padding on every side
• No movement on the shake test
• A sturdy box, not a used one gone soft
• Fragile label, as well as good packing

Candles and wax in summer

Soy and other soft waxes can soften or sweat in a hot courier van or letterbox, especially in January and February. Post early in the week so parcels don’t sit in a depot over the weekend, and consider an insulated liner on hot weeks.

Reed diffusers, room sprays and some fragrance oils can count as dangerous goods because they are flammable. Check your carrier’s current rules before you post them, as some can only go by road or not at all.

Jewellery and small items

Small things go missing in big envelopes and get crushed in thin ones. Use a padded bag or a small box, and put earrings and necklaces in their own bag or card so they don’t tangle. Consider tracking for anything you would be upset to lose.

Choose a service and set fair postage

Compare a few carriers for the size and weight you usually send, and check what each one covers if something breaks or goes missing. Rural delivery usually costs more, so allow for it.

In Little Stall, set up your postage options and prices in Settings, and turn on pickup in your shop settings if you offer it. Buyers choose when they order, and the postage is included in their total. Add the tracking number when you post, and the buyer gets it by email.

Say what happens if something breaks

Decide your breakage policy before it happens. Many makers ask for a photo of the damage and the packaging within a few days, then replace or refund. Put it in your shop description or the terms note in Settings, so buyers know before they order.

Keep in mind buyers have rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act when they buy from a business, including that goods arrive in acceptable condition. Good packing is the cheapest way to meet that.