Need Advice about Sending Large Amount of Samples within US Securely!

[hednic]

A while back in another thread I had briefly mentioned that I had samples I wanted to get rid of as I have no personal use for them. Below are what I have accumulated over the last two years since retiring from the active day to day work of my company. While there, I would offer all my samples to my employees, throw them in a giant bowl and have them pick whatever they wanted. Can't be bothered with that anymore. Below are photos of 4 gallon-sized bags filled to capacity with about a thousand samples in each bag. None of my family members want them, so I would like to give them away. Most are official company issued samples and I would say 99% male and unisex, but some female fragrances might have trickled in. So here is my dilemma and question - I have no desire to re-sort, re-organize or re-package the bags. I just want to send out these four shipments or perhaps consolidate them into fewer shipments (they're heavy) but not sure what would be the best way to ship them without their being confiscated or destroyed by US Postal Authorities or Couriers Services because of the contents. Of course they would be packed very carefully and securely, and cost is of no concern to me. Therefore, I ask, what would be the best method for me to ship these and have peace of mind that they would arrive where sent without fear of confiscation or destruction? Thank you for any suggestions or advice.





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[IsoESuperman]

Very generous of you, hednic. I believe it should be as simple as sending them via USPS Ground and slapping an ORM-D label (or handwritten in marker) on the parcel. If you're physically dropping them off at Post Office, check "Yes" when the screen prompts you asking about perfumes, liquids, etc. They probably have ORM-D stickers at the PO as well.

If you're sending them within CONUS from within CONUS, you should be good!

[hednic]

Very generous of you, hednic. I believe it should be as simple as sending them via USPS Ground and slapping an ORM-D label (or handwritten in marker) on the parcel. If you're physically dropping them off at Post Office, check "Yes" when the screen prompts you asking about perfumes, liquids, etc. They probably have ORM-D stickers at the PO as well.

If you're sending them within CONUS from within CONUS, you should be good!

Thank you. That's very helpful.

[IsoESuperman]

Thank you. That's very helpful.

Of course. Hopefully somebody will elaborate if I missed anything glaring.

[checkmate]

Very generous of you, hednic. I believe it should be as simple as sending them via USPS Ground and slapping an ORM-D label (or handwritten in marker) on the parcel. If you're physically dropping them off at Post Office, check "Yes" when the screen prompts you asking about perfumes, liquids, etc. They probably have ORM-D stickers at the PO as well.

If you're sending them within CONUS from within CONUS, you should be good!

Exactly

I would also double bag everything to prevent leakage.

[Cook.bot]

I just shipped a big bag of samples, almost as large as one of those pictured, and did it exactly as IsoE described. No problems whatsoever. It cost about $25 to ship it from East Coast to West Coast via USPS.

[Trilby Lark]

A while back in another thread I had briefly mentioned that I had samples I wanted to get rid of as I have no personal use for them. Below are what I have accumulated over the last two years since retiring from the active day to day work of my company. While there, I would offer all my samples to my employees, throw them in a giant bowl and have them pick whatever they wanted. Can't be bothered with that anymore. Below are photos of 4 gallon-sized bags filled to capacity with about a thousand samples in each bag. None of my family members want them, so I would like to give them away. Most are official company issued samples and I would say 99% male and unisex, but some female fragrances might have trickled in. So here is my dilemma and question - I have no desire to re-sort, re-organize or re-package the bags. I just want to send out these four shipments or perhaps consolidate them into fewer shipments (they're heavy) but not sure what would be the best way to ship them without their being confiscated or destroyed by US Postal Authorities or Couriers Services because of the contents. Of course they would be packed very carefully and securely, and cost is of no concern to me. Therefore, I ask, what would be the best method for me to ship these and have peace of mind that they would arrive where sent without fear of confiscation or destruction? Thank you for any suggestions or advice.





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FINALLY, the long awaited photos of Hednic’s massive collection! Doubters, be satisfied. Proof is in.

Just kidding...

[Ivory88]

Can't say as I have any shipping advice, but I am enjoying the heck outta deciphering what's in that smorgasbord!!

[hednic]

I would also double bag everything to prevent leakage.

Good advice. Thanks.

[Ivory88]

FINALLY, the long awaited photos of Hednic’s massive collection! Doubters, be satisfied. Proof is in.

Just kidding...

Actually, that's a pretty valid point. If those are 2 years' worth of freebies, the corresponding purchases must be quite impressive.

[cello]

FINALLY, the long awaited photos of Hednic’s massive collection! Doubters, be satisfied. Proof is in.

Just kidding...

Hahaha!! That is funny

Hednic, yes, I agree with above. They just can't go by air. A good double bagging is also a great suggestion, as I imagine those sample vials are more prone to leakage than whole bottles would be.

[jkonick]

Can't say as I have any shipping advice, but I am enjoying the heck outta deciphering what's in that smorgasbord!!

Same here! Quite the impressive assortment. I'm currently amassing a second-hand sample collection myself, and just received a package of ~40 samples in the mail yesterday, no issues. And hednic, if you haven't already chosen recipients for these, I'd happily put myself in the running

[Bavard]

I use the United States Postal Service. The post office is the main place, by far, where people ask me about perfume.

You could send the lot to me.

[Lellabelle]

Wow, that’s quite the collection of samples! Yes, you should be fine with USPS within the cont.48. Most of the couriers will have a hazmat approved option too, if it needs to go further. It’s pretty costly, but probably worth it for the amount of perfume being sent.

Lucky recipients!

[Lellabelle]

I’m also having fun identifying some of the visible ones

[Redneck Perfumisto]

Just to add one point about shipment to Iso's excellent summary, because the volume of liquid in a total crush here is not trivial.

The deeper points of the shipping regulations define proper packing as the well-contained perfume (samples in bag, here) being surrounded by something able to absorb *all* the liquid, and THAT then being inside a plastic bag or similar liquid-proof nonbreakable container. So the double-bagging should include an absorbent material like wrapping paper or newspaper between inner and outer bag, sufficent to contain the entire spill if the package was run over by a heavy vehicle, freeing all the liquid. You can be confident this will meet or exceed all regulations.

There as more flexible regulations for smaller amounts of small samples, but we're bypassing those trickier things, and following stricter guidelines for larger quantities - just like playing something safe in taxes. Treating a mass of samples like bottles is smart!

[hednic]

Just to add one point about shipment to Iso's excellent summary, because the volume of liquid in a total crush here is not trivial.

The deeper points of the shipping regulations define proper packing as the well-contained perfume (samples in bag, here) being surrounded by something able to absorb *all* the liquid, and THAT then being inside a plastic bag or similar liquid-proof nonbreakable container. So the double-bagging should include an absorbent material like wrapping paper or newspaper between inner and outer bag, sufficient to contain the entire spill if the package was run over by a heavy vehicle, freeing all the liquid. You can be confident this will meet or exceed all regulations.

There as more flexible regulations for smaller amounts of small samples, but we're bypassing those trickier things, and following stricter guidelines for larger quantities - just like playing something safe in taxes. Treating a mass of samples like bottles is smart!

Thank you. Good information and would be no problem doing that.

[The Bark]

Several years ago, I had several hundred samples and was in the same position. At the time, there was the tsunami in Southeast Asia somewhere (can't recall, this is perhaps 2004), so I decided to put them up for bid on eBay with all proceeds going to support the tsunami relief. I think I sold them for a few hundred dollars and was faced with the same dilemma. I ended up going to my local UPS store and they did all the work for me (packing) and it was subsequently insured by them whereas if I had packed them myself, they couldn't do so. It ended up costing more, but the peace of mind was worth it.

[epapsiou]

As others have said, if within US , use USPS. Tell them it is perfume.
They ship ground and don't cost much.
I would say about $15-$20 per bag.
Oh and the eclectic collection looks amazing.

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

Over the years I've shipped out large hauls of samples that were about half the size of those packages as I had accumulated far too many samples that exceeded my own personal needs. The US Post Office would be your best bet. All you need is a box and either some bubble wrap or foam to wrap it around. Never had a problem shipping fragrance samples that had a large accumulation of weight.

[Diamondflame]

What the perfume decanting sites would do to get hold of this motherlode. It may take a lifetime to wear these samples out.

[City74]

USPS ground for sure


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[Birdboy48]

There's something curiously hypnotic about those bags, in a conceptual-art sort of way. But I can't quite put my finger on what it is.

Whatever the case, thanks Hednic, for posting these pictures of them.

[hednic]

I have been convinced by the majority to go with USPS and so it will be.

[sjg3839]

As mentioned, USPS Ground is the way to go.

[Danny Mitchell]

I don't think the weight and/or volume would necessarily constitute an ORMD label. But better safe than sorry.

[Redneck Perfumisto]

I don't think the weight and/or volume would necessarily constitute an ORMD label. But better safe than sorry.

Agreed!

I was told by postal officials several times (and saw in the regs) that the ORMD label can be neatly hand-drawn, so I just do that and it's always been appreciated.

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

I have been convinced by the majority to go with USPS and so it will be.

Let us know how it goes.

[hednic]

Let us know how it goes.

Will do.