Warm Up to Importing Candles

Before joining the lucrative candle importing business, there are important details you need to mindful of. Find out what the requirements are for importing candles, how to comply, and more.

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A lit candle can bring a fresh scent to a room, create an intimate ambiance, or simply add light to a dark space. Today, importing candles from around the globe of all shapes, sizes, and scents is a multi-million-dollar industry. Before you start importing these products, you’ll need to get familiar with all applicable requirements.

Key takeaways:

The best countries to import candles from include Vietnam, Canada, China, Mexico, and India.
Aside from standard CBP documents, you’ll have to follow safety regulations set by CPSC and potentially the ASTM.
There are anti-dumping duties on petroleum wax candles from China in addition to the standard tariff.
Your candle imports should have the appropriate FPLA label on their surface before they be distributed commercially.

I’ll guide you through the requirements you’ll need to complete to get your candles into the country.

The Business of Candles

According to the National Candle Association, candles rack up more than $13 billion in sales annually. Candles are not just for the top of birthday cakes or to mark other significant milestones; today they are thoughtful housewarming gifts, birthday presents and even a random thank-you gesture.

Pair the right fragrance with a space and candles can work magic to transform the setting. To help you better visualize the size of the U.S. candle market, I’ve provided some data on its growth over the past five years.

The graphic shows a horizontal bar graph that represents the US market size for candles from 2019 to 2023. The top bar is dark blue and shows the US candle market was $4.01 billion in 2019. The second bar is red and shows the US candle market size was $3.94 billion in 2020. The third bar is grayish-blue and shows the US candle market was $4.6 billion in 2021. The fourth bar is light-purple and shows the US candle market was $4.54 billion in 2022. The fifth bar is cobalt blue and shows the US candle market was $4.71 billion.

There are many types of candles that consumers in the U.S. use, from utilitarian ones designed for emergencies to various decorative types Today’s trends include popular seasonal scented candles like pumpkin spice or eucalyptus mint to name a few.

Even celebrities and pop-culture are getting into the candle game, with scents inspired by popular musicians, or from fictional characters from the latest bingeworthy series. Starting prices range from under $5 for a basic scent, to upwards of $25 for more exotic aromas in larger sizes.

Where To Source Candle Imports

It should not be a surprise that the United States is the world’s largest importer of candles. In fact, since candles are seen more as décor or gifts, the market has exploded to keep desired scents and sizes on the store shelves.

While candles are made in the U.S., many are also imported from other countries. If you’re not sure where to source from, consider looking at the top countries the U.S. imported candles from in 2022.

The graphic is of a horizontal bar graph that shows the top candle supplying countries to the US. The first bar is dark blue and shows the US imported $479 million from Vietnam. The second bar is red and shows the US imported $189 million from Canada. The third bar is grayish-blue and shows the US imported $113 million from China. The fourth bar is light-purple and shows the US imported $65.6 million from Mexico. The fifth bar shows the US imported $54.4 million from India.

Each of these countries can provide quality candle products. If you import your candles from Canada or Mexico, you’ll be able to enjoy preferential tariff treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement.

In some cases, businesses turn to product sourcing options such as Alibaba to keep items in the supply chain. The goal of Alibaba, based in China, is to sell wholesale products in bulk to U.S. companies. In addition to Alibaba, there are other similar sourcing alternatives including IndiaMart and DHGate to name a few.

Regardless of where candles are imported from, a knowledgeable Licensed Customs Broker can help steer shippers in the right direction without losing time or money. You can obtain this assistance from one of our professionals during a consulting session.

Related: Importing Incense Sticks

Who Regulates the Importation of Candles?

Unlike other products, the regulations placed on candle imports aren’t as extreme. Nonetheless, there are some essential regulations that you’ll have to follow. In the following sections, I’ve laid out the expectations of different federal agencies that must be satisfied.

CBP Import Documents

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the primary agency that collects all essential documentation for imports.

Generally, goods with a value of $2,500 or have additional agency oversight must have a customs bond when they enter the country. You can either obtain a single-entry or continuous bond. Single entries are good for one import, while a continuous variant can be used for any number of imports for an entire year.

Here’s a checklist of the other basic documents needed:

Invoice
Packing List
Bill of Lading
Arrival Notice

In addition, more information is requested based on the country of origin and other factors. Candle shippers will need to work closely with a customs broker to avoid any problems and to make sure all the information is accurate.

CPSC Candle Safety Requirements

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) doesn’t directly regulate the importation of candles into the country. That said, they have many health standards that you should follow.

First and foremost, the CPSC forbids the importation of lead core wicks. These types of candles were banned in 2003 due to the hazard they pose to the health of children.

The CPSC also participates in the voluntary candle safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). While following these standards isn’t mandatory, many importers still choose to purchase candles that abide by ASTM because it guarantees they’ll receive quality goods.

ASTM candle standards include:

Cautionary Labeling Standard ASTM F-2058
Heat Strength of Glass Containers Standard ASTM F-2179
Fire Safety Design Standards ASTM F-2417
Candle Accessories Standard ASTM F-2601

ASTM F-2058 allows for text-only or text-and-pictogram labels. In either case, your candle imports should have a label that lists the three key rules for candle fire-safety.

These are:

Burn within sight
Keep away from things that catch fire
Keep away from children

If you’re using a text-and-pictogram label, you’ll need to include three pictograms that correspond with each of the key rules.

The image shows the three pictograms that correspond with the three rules of fire safety

ASTM F-2179 sets scratch test and temperature specification when cooling glass containers that are meant to hold candles. It also establishes shock differential requirements for these items.

ASTM F-2417 is probably the most important of the standards. It discerns the maximum flame height and tip-over limits for candles. The tip-over limit refers to the angle a candle can be tilted before it falls over. I’ve provided the measurements for flame height and the angle at which candles can tilt.

Flame height for regular candles is 3 inches
Flame height for religious/ceremonial candles is 3¼ inches
Freestanding filled candles should not tip over when placed at a 10° incline from horizontal
Asymmetrical candles and ensembles should not tip over at a 10° incline from horizontal at any position when rotated around the vertical axis

ASTM F-2417 also prohibits secondary ignition, which is a self-sustained flame other than the one on the intended wick. The requirements in ASTM F-2601 sets minimum safety requirements for candle accessories. It focuses on the stability of items used to hold candles while they burn.

This includes:

Candle burners
Potpourri
Candle rings

It’s essential for accessories to hold candles properly while they’re burning to guarantee a reasonable degree of safety.

Are There Anti-Dumping Duties On Candle Imports?

There is currently an antidumping duty (AD) on petroleum wax candles from China. This also applies to mixed-wax candles that contain any amount of petroleum.

The AD on these candles was originally instated in 1986. In 2021, the Department of Commerce (DOC) and the International Trade Commission (ITC) reviewed the AD order during a Sunset Review. After intense deliberation, they determined it should stay in place.

The AD on petroleum wax candles from China is 108.30%. If you want to import petroleum wax candles, without paying this hefty rate, then consider sourcing them from one of the other countries we’ve already mentioned.

Fair Packaging and Labeling Act Requirements

The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require special labeling on consumer items. Since candles are considered consumer items, your imported products must follow this regulation.

There are three basic requirements for the front-facing label that should appear on your candles:

A statement that identifies the commodity
The name and place of business where the manufacturer, packer, or distributor conducts their operations
Net quantity of the contents in weight, measure, or numerical count

If the container for your candle is round, the label should cover at least 40% of its surface. For candles in rectangular containers, the label only needs to cover one side.

Importing Candles with USA Customs Clearance

Start importing candles with the expert advice of USA Customs Clearance. Our team of import specialists and Licensed Customs Brokers are ready to provide their assistance. You can access their expertise by using one of our many services.