Shipping soap to the USA

[neeners]

hello fellow soapers!

I'm thinking of sending some friends who live in the US some soaps as Christmas gifts. I'm just wondering if there are any shipping restrictions for shipping into the US (I live in the Caribbean)? for example, milk soaps are not allowed b/c...it's milk soap.

I don't want to make a trip to the post office and have my soaps not make it to their destination.....


oh, and what would be the best way to package the soap? I was thinking wrapping in freezer paper and then bubble wrap, then in a box. Would that keep the soap safe?

 

[CaraCara]

The only issue you might have is maybe FDA but only if CBP refers it. Label it as it is (gift, soap, don't put homemade), keep the value below USD$15.00 and pack it as tightly as you can so you're not paying for air .

 

[Hazel]

Have you asked at your post office about restrictions?

Your packaging sounds fine. You could even use wax paper for cured soap. I've done this in the past and it worked fine. Lately I've been using coffee filters because they're sturdy and won't trap moisture onto the soap. The only downside to them is they get oil spots if your soap is a little oily.

 

[neeners]

thanks guys. I was reading "homemade", but i'll leave that out then.

post office ppl here aren't overly helpful....figure i'd get faster and better response from those who have actually shipped items than postal workers here (sad but true....)

 

[Hazel]

I haven't shipped overseas but I found this article on the FDA site about prohibited ingredients.

http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/SelectedCosmeticIngredients/ucm127406.htm

Of course, soap isn't a cosmetic and is regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I looked on that site and didn't find anything about soap ingredient bans.

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Regulations-...ndatory-Standards--Bans/Regulated-Products/#S

However, I really don't know if this helps you. Personally, I think if you're just sending soap as gifts, there wouldn't be an issue. However, you might want to search through these sites to see if there is info about any specific ingredient which you might have a concern.

I also found these links which could be helpful.

http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/welcome.htm
http://about.usps.com/publications/pub141/standard-prohibited-and-restricted-items.htm - I did see plants and plant materials on this list #12.

 

[Tienne]

I would probably be wary of sending CP soaps with raw milks and soaps with any kind of botanical toppings. (Rose & calendula petals, lavender buds, etc) as anything that could harbour any kind of bug, fungus or bacteria that could harm agriculture or the native flora and fauna is usually forbidden. I know they have sniffer dogs that are specifically trained to find packages with botanicals, so any soap with that on would probably not make it through customs. Many countries are also very wary of foot and mouth disease, so fresh milk soaps would probably also not be a very good idea to send.

 

[neeners]

Thanks everyone! I'll read through it all and see what happens.... guess I can always send a couple bars and see if they get there. worst case scenario...they don't....