Shipping tinctures in the mail

I have some tinctures I would like to have shipped, what would be the best way? I know there are laws about shipping alcohol through the mail, would it be applied to tincture made with alcohol?

Anyone have experience with this? Thanks

I shipped a jar of tincture a year ago, and told the post office guy it was tincture. He asked me some questions and let me mail it. I don't quite remember, but I think it was okay because it was a small quantity, maybe 12 ounces. Also I had to lie and say it was in a plastic container, when really it was well-cushioned glass.

Ran Prieur wrote:
I shipped a jar of tincture a year ago, and told the post office guy it was tincture. He asked me some questions and let me mail it. I don't quite remember, but I think it was okay because it was a small quantity, maybe 12 ounces. Also I had to lie and say it was in a plastic container, when really it was well-cushioned glass.

Thanks, thats helpful. So I am assuming that glass is some what of a no no through the mail, because I plan on shipping a few 8oz glass bottles.

If the issue is an international shipping one (i.e. customs, etc.), it is best to call it an herbal "extract" or tincture, but to NOT specify there is alcohol - otherwise it could cost for duties of importing alcohol as if it were a beverage, not a medicine.  Also, thanks for the "plastic" tip, very appreciated!  And on the note of a flower essence, I guess you just call it an "essence" or "vibrational remedy."

astroherbalist wrote:
If the issue is an international shipping one (i.e. customs, etc.), it is best to call it an herbal "extract" or tincture, but to NOT specify there is alcohol - otherwise it could cost for duties of importing alcohol as if it were a beverage, not a medicine.  Also, thanks for the "plastic" tip, very appreciated!  And on the note of a flower essence, I guess you just call it an "essence" or "vibrational remedy."

Thanks, herbal extract, thats a good one.

  I encountered this this week.
So, they tell me that "alcohol could explode in the air".  Is that true at all for tinctures?
They would not be explosive would they?
The post office clerk asked me point blank if there was alcohol in it, and I could not lie.
Is there any alternative to lying?

My other question is how do people ship it for free and still make money?
It cost me $5 to ship a 2 ounce bottle.

When I was a seller, I included the cost of shipping into my sale price so that was how I offered free shipping.

Businesses can offer free shipping for this same reason.

If I wanted to ship a tincture I would call my local USPS Postmaster and ask how is the best way to do that.

I remember reading at some point that to ship liquids the item is placed in a water-tight container before wrapping.

I hope this answers your question.

thanks!
Well, some people are shipping a container for $10 with free shipping.
That wouldn't be much profit.

Now I'm trying to figure out how to ship to Hawaii...

My postal people always ask me directly, "Is there alcohol in it?"

I actually tried burning my tincture today, and it does flame up.... (I poured a swig into a metal measuring cup and burned it) SO I now know that it is somewhat flammable even though its partly water/herb.

So I'm a bit in a quandary.
Maybe I will only sell locally from now on.

How do big companies ship their tinctures?

Beth wrote:How do big companies ship their tinctures?

The ones I have received came with a lot of biodegradable peanuts.

The shipping was a flat rate of $5.99.

The big companies can offer lower shipping than is available to most folks due to contracts with the various shippers.

Also, the original question would be resolved with those various shippers.

Steven said " I know there are laws about shipping alcohol through the mail, would it be applied to tincture made with alcohol?

How much tincture did you try to burn? Did you ever find a solution? I am going to ship approximately 5 glass containers, I will let you know how it goes. My plan will be to vacuum seal each small container with padding inside the vacuum seal bag (I have never tried this, just picturing it) If that does not work, then I will seal the containers without cushion inside a vacuum sealed bag and then I will probably put those bags inside a mason jar with a lot of cushion all around them, then put 5 mason jars in the box. Then I will print a label ahead of time. I will drop off with as minimum contact as possible and I will absolutely lie, unless of course it is illegal.

Jennifer Byler wrote: thanks!
Well, some people are shipping a container for $10 with free shipping.
That wouldn't be much profit.

Now I'm trying to figure out how to ship to Hawaii...

My postal people always ask me directly, "Is there alcohol in it?"

I actually tried burning my tincture today, and it does flame up.... (I poured a swig into a metal measuring cup and burned it) SO I now know that it is somewhat flammable even though its partly water/herb.

So I'm a bit in a quandary.
Maybe I will only sell locally from now on.