How to ship Valentine's Day gifts

Did you know that 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are sold annually¹? That nearly 250 million roses are grown each year, specifically for Valentine’s Day²? And that US shoppers alone spent $5.8 billion on jewelry for Valentine’s Day in 2020³? The traditional day of love and romance is big business!

Loved-up consumers spend a lot and invest a lot of emotion in Valentine’s Day. So if you’re selling products that are popular gift options, or you simply want to send a Valentine’s present to a loved one yourself, you need to be able to ship with confidence.

Below are some top tips – along with a few Valentine’s Day insights too. And remember, at DHL we can help with shipping not only the usual gifts, but also the unusual ones. Let’s start with the more conventional options…

How to ship chocolates

Since the Aztecs back in the 15^th century, chocolate has been considered an aphrodisiac. The Aztec Emperor Moctezuma was said to drink large quantities of it, before spending time with one of his many partners!⁴ Hence chocolates have become a very popular gift choice on Valentine’s Day.

Tips on shipping chocolates

• As with all foodstuffs, it’s best to check that you’re allowed to send it through the post within your own country - with a courier like DHL express you should be fine. If you are sending the food abroad, check whether it’s allowed through customs in the destination country. Some foods may be prohibited or restricted for agricultural, cultural or religious reasons.
• Keep the chocolates in their original packaging to avoid any confusion. Removing the manufacturer’s packaging can make the customs clearance process more difficult.
• Use a sturdy, roomy box to protect your items, filling any gaps with packing materials such as newspaper or filling chips, to minimize internal movement.
• Some carriers won’t accept perishable goods, i.e. goods that may spoil or go off during transit. Chocolates aren’t usually deemed perishable but, to be safe, make sure your items have a shelf life of at least six months from the time of shipping.

 “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” - Charles M. Schulz

How to ship perfume

Why is perfume looked upon as a romantic gift? Apparently, it’s because smells, emotions and sexual attraction are all processed in the same part of the brain: the limbic system⁸. That’s why perfume can evoke memories, change a mood and even help people fall in love.

Tips on shipping perfume

• There are two challenges to shipping perfume: firstly, it’s usually contained in glass bottles which need special handling and packaging; and secondly, it’s often classified as a hazardous material, due to its alcohol content making it flammable and likely to react dangerously with other substances.
• To ship perfume internationally, you’ll need to check the product classifications and requirements of the country you’re shipping to.
• These product classifications also vary across logistics companies, so check this too.
• When packing the perfume, use extra padding around the bottle to hold it in place inside the manufacturer’s box.
• Use a container or shipping box slightly larger than the manufacturer’s box. Line the bottom with bubble wrap or foam blocks, filling any empty spaces with more protective materials.
• Many carriers also require liquids to be stored in leak-proof containers rather than ordinary shipping boxes.

“To attract men, I wear a perfume called ‘New Car Interior.’” - Rita Rudner

How to ship jewelry

Giving jewelry for Valentine’s Day is a relatively new idea, but it’s now one of the most popular. It probably originated back in the 1950s, when the jewelry company DeBeers ran a marketing campaign that associated giving diamonds with showing love¹⁰.

Tips on shipping jewelry

• Check it’s legal to ship jewelry both from your own country and into the destination country.
• The shipping rules, even for businesses, depend on the materials the jewelry is made of, whether it contains special metals or stones, whether it’s considered a valuable or luxury item, and its price.
• Check whether your carrier ships valuable jewelry abroad, as some don’t.
• Non-valuable jewelry will be covered by insurance when packed properly, but for valuable jewelry on the prohibited items list, the cover won’t apply – so you ship at your own risk.
• You should pack jewelry in its original box, if possible. If not, use a small cardboard box and fill it with cushioning materials such as bubble wrap, ensuring there is no movement inside.
• Put the original or small box in a larger box and fill this, too, with cushioning material.
• Seal the box and attach the label, if needed.

“I love jewelry – gold and diamonds. I’m a woman.” - Monica Bellucci

Shipping unusual Valentine’s gifts

Some take the idea of exchanging jewelry with a loved one a step further. Famously, Billy Bob Thornton and Angela Jolie, along with Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly have exchanged ‘blood necklaces’… If you’re thinking of shipping a blood necklace, there may not only be issues with shipping jewelry, but also a blood product (and coagulant). You may want to consult our What Can I Ship? page to find our more. So, contact a DHL representative to discuss – we have heard it all before!

A less visceral liquid Valentine’s Day gift would be a special bottle of wine – the most expensive bottles from the burgundy region of France command prices of around $30,000¹²! If you’re thinking of shipping wine, contact DHL first, as there are lots of regulations around it.

For all your Valentine’s Day shipping needs, contact a DHL representative here.