Glass packaging can be a great way to package products like kombucha, honey, tomato sauce, pasta sauce, jams, preserves, dressings, and other specialty foods.
But shipping glass requires the right packaging. A jar that looks perfectly secure when it leaves your facility still has to make it through trucks, sorting facilities, conveyor belts, and delivery routes before it reaches your customer.
Bubble Goods is a dropship marketplace. We do not hold inventory or ship orders from a Bubble Goods warehouse. Your brand packs and ships orders directly to customers.
That means your team is responsible for making sure your glass products are packed to arrive safely and in good condition.
š« What Products Can You Ship in Glass?
Glass packaging is common across many types of food and beverage products, including:
- Kombucha
- Honey
- Tomato sauce
- Pasta sauce
- Hot sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Salad dressing
- Jams and preserves
- Fruit spreads
- Pickles
- Fermented foods
- Syrups
- Other sauces and specialty foods
Whether you're shipping a single jar or a multi-pack, your packaging needs to protect the glass from breaking and the product from leaking.
š¦ How to Package Glass Jars for Shipping
The goal is simple: the glass should not be able to move around inside the box.
Your packaging should provide protection from impact on all sides.
Depending on your product, this can include:
- Protective sleeves or wraps around individual jars
- Bubble wrap or other protective cushioning
- Corrugated dividers between jars
- Molded pulp or other jar-specific inserts
- An appropriately sized shipping box
- Void fill to prevent movement
- A strong outer shipping carton
For multi-packs, don't assume that placing several jars next to each other is enough. Each jar should have appropriate protection, and the jars should be separated so they do not knock against one another during transit.
šØ Prevent Glass From Breaking in Transit
One of the most common mistakes when shipping glass is leaving too much empty space in the box.
If the jars can move around, they can collide with each other or the sides of the box during transit.
When packing your order:
Protect each jar.
Use an appropriate protective material around the glass.
Separate the jars.
For multiple jars, use dividers or another method that keeps the jars from hitting each other.
Fill empty space.
The jars should stay securely in place rather than shifting around inside the box.
Protect the top and bottom.
Don't only protect the sides of the jar. The top and bottom of the package also need cushioning.
Use a strong outer box.
Your shipping carton needs to hold up to the conditions of carrier networks.
š§ Protect Against Leaks
A broken jar isn't the only potential problem.
A jar can arrive intact but still leak if the lid or seal is damaged during shipping.
Make sure your product packaging is designed to prevent leakage during normal transit.
Depending on your product, this may include:
- Secure closures
- Appropriate seals
- Inner packaging
- Leak-resistant bags
- Secondary containment
For products such as sauces, jams, honey, and kombucha, consider what happens if the primary container does leak. You want the package to contain the mess and protect the customer's other products as much as possible.
š§Ŗ Test Your Glass Packaging Before You Scale
Before shipping glass products across the country, test your packaging.
Don't just drop the box on the floor and call it done. Try to replicate the conditions your package will experience during normal carrier handling.
Test:
- Single-jar shipments
- Multi-jar shipments
- Different box sizes
- Longer shipping distances
- Different carrier services
- Your heaviest products
- Different packaging configurations
Then inspect the product when it arrives.
Look for:
- Cracked or broken glass
- Chipped jars
- Damaged lids
- Leaks
- Broken seals
- Dented or crushed boxes
- Product movement inside the box
If something breaks during testing, change the packaging before you start shipping at scale.
š¦ Don't Overlook Box Size
The right box can make a big difference.
A box that is too large can create too much space for products to move around.
A box that is too small may not provide enough room for proper cushioning.
Your goal is to find a box that allows you to adequately protect the product without creating unnecessary empty space.
This can also help reduce your overall shipping costs.
š How Shipping Works on Bubble Goods
Because Bubble Goods is a dropship marketplace, your shipping setup depends on how your account is configured.
Shopify-Connected Brands
You are responsible for all shipping costs using your existing carrier accounts and fulfillment workflows.
Your team packs the order, creates the shipping label through your normal fulfillment process, and ships directly to the customer.
Non-Shopify Brands
Bubble Goods covers 100% of shipping costs by providing prepaid shipping labels directly in your Seller Dashboard.
Your team is still responsible for packing the order correctly and getting it to the carrier.
š° Shipping Glass and Your Product Economics
Glass can be heavier than plastic or flexible packaging, which can affect shipping costs.
Before setting your pricing, make sure you understand the total cost of getting the product safely to the customer.
Consider:
- Glass packaging
- Protective inserts
- Cushioning
- Shipping boxes
- Void fill
- Shipping weight
- Shipping costs
- Replacement costs for damaged products
Check out the Bubble Goods Pricing Calculator to factor in all of your cost considerations.
The cheapest packaging option isn't always the least expensive option if you're regularly replacing broken products or refunding damaged orders.
The goal is to find the right balance between protection, cost, and the customer experience.
š·ļø Label Your Packages
- If your product is perishable or has specific handling requirements, make sure the appropriate labeling is included on the outside of the package.
For temperature-sensitive products such as kombucha, follow the appropriate storage and shipping requirements for your product.
If your product needs to be refrigerated, make sure the customer receives clear storage instructions.
If you are shipping products that require special handling, make those requirements clear on the product packaging and inside the box when appropriate.
š« The Bottom Line
Glass doesn't have to be a barrier to selling nationwide.
With the right packaging, kombucha, honey, sauces, jams, tomato sauce, and other products in glass jars and bottles can be shipped safely through carrier networks.
The most important thing is to test your packaging before you scale. Protect each jar, prevent movement inside the box, account for leaks, and make sure your packaging can handle the realities of shipping.
