How to Ship Resin Art: Packaging, Insurance & Rules

How to Ship Resin Art Safely: Packaging, Insurance & Dangerous Goods Basics

The process of selling and shipping resin art is thrilling, your art can be sold to people all over the world. But resin art is delicate, bulky and even liable to dangerous goods. Failure to pack and ship properly can lead to breakages, arguments and even the courier rejecting it.

Everything can be found in this guide, including how to package the goods, shrink-wrapping, insurance and the time when resin should be regarded as a restricted material.

1. Is Resin Artwork Hazardous to Ship?

• When epoxy resin is completely cured (typically in 7 days) it is considered inert and is no longer considered hazardous.
• This implies that you ship the resin trays, tumblers, coasters, jewellery, or wall pieces like any other normal consumer goods.

• Bottled epoxy resin and hardener are classed as dangerous goods because they are chemicals.
• Couriers often require special labelling (UN numbers) and shipping through approved hazardous goods services.
• If you’re sending art that hasn’t fully hardened, or you include leftover resin in the parcel, it may be refused or delayed.

Key takeaway: Always wait until your resin artwork has fully cured before shipping. Never send liquid resin through regular post unless you have an account with a hazardous goods courier.

2. Preparing Resin Art for Shipping

Resin art has unique risks, glossy surfaces can scratch, heavy items can crack, and sharp corners can chip. The goal is to immobilise and cushion the piece.

Step 1: Surface Cleaning and Protection.

• Off-cured resin can be wiped using a soft microfibre cloth.
• Protect the glossy surface with a protective film/ wrap onto the acid-free tissue paper to avoid scratches.

Step 2: Shrinkwrapping or Bubble wrapping.

• In the case of flat objects such as coasters, trays, etc, shrinkwrap keeps them dust-free and unmoved.
• In the case with bigger art pieces, one can first spread small bubbles wrap and then lay large-bubble wrap.

Step 3: Corner and Edge Reinforcement.

• Apply corner protectors to trays, boards or canvases.
• When it comes to jewellery or such small objects, it is better to pack them in separate pouches or boxes.

Step 4: Box-in-Box Method

• Wrap artwork and place it in a firm inner box padding (packing peanuts, crumpled kraft paper or air pillows).
• Put the inner box into a bigger outer shipping box at least 5 cm padding on all sides.
• This is a shock absorbing way of double-boxing that minimises breakage claims.

3. Choosing the Right Packaging Materials

• Cardboard boxes: Use double-walled boxes for heavy or large resin pieces.
• Padding: Air pillows are not heavy and move easily, packing peanuts are also good fillers, and shredded paper is environmentally friendly.
• Shrink wrap: Suits best with coasters, tumblers and trays in order to avoid scuffing.
• Moisture barrier: This is a plastic lining or poly bag which prevents any damage by water in case of rain during transit.

4. Shipping Labels & Handling Notes

• Mark the outer box “FRAGILE - HANDLE WITH CARE” and “THIS SIDE UP” where relevant.
• For international shipping, add HS code 3926 (for cured resin art) on customs forms.
• Never label cured resin as “chemicals” — this can cause confusion with hazardous resin kits. Instead use: “Handmade Resin Artwork - Non-Hazardous”.

5. Insurance & Courier Options

• Usually, the standard courier insurance does not cover the artwork or fragile items. Always check the fine print.
• Third-party parcel carriers (e.g. Secursus, Shipsurance) include vulnerable handmade products.
• Photograph your packed artwork before sealing the box; this helps support claims.

• UK domestic: Royal Mail, DPD and Parcelforce will most often accept resin art once fully cured.
• International: UPS, DHL and FedEx are dependable though need a lot of proper custom documentation.
• Goods that are hazardous (un-cured resin kits): They can only be transported by their expert courier such as the DHL DG, UPS Hazardous or local ADR couriers.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Shipping too soon: Resin that feels “dry” may still be curing. Post only after 7 full days.
• No double-boxing: Single boxes are prone to crushing.
• Loose fill only: Packing peanuts shift; always wrap the item first.
• No insurance: Relying on basic courier cover is risky.
• Wrong customs declaration: Declaring cured resin art as “epoxy resin” can flag it as hazardous.

7. Example Packaging Checklist

Before shipping, make sure you have:

• Checked the resin is fully cured (7+ days)
• Protected the surface (tissue or film)
• Wrapped item in bubble wrap or shrinkwrap
• Reinforced corners/edges
• Used box-in-box method with padding
• Marked FRAGILE & THIS SIDE UP
• Photographed packed box for insurance
• Declared as “Handmade Resin Artwork - Non-Hazardous”

8. Selling Resin Art Online?

If you are running a resin art business, make shipping part of your customer promise:

• Offer tracked shipping only; avoids disputes.
• State handling time (to allow for full curing).
• Provide care instructions in the box (avoid heat, clean gently).
• Build packaging costs into your pricing; good protection is worth the investment.

Conclusion

Delivery of resin art does not have to be a tense situation. Your creations can be secured using shrink wrap, double boxing, proper labelling and insurance to minimise customer quarrels. And keep in mind: when resin is completely cured it is safe and non-hazardous to ship.

Ship smart, protect your art, and let your resin creations reach the world safely.