Shipping Pet Care Products and Supplements on WooCommerce

The pet care market is booming, with high demand for products like vitamins, probiotics, and calming chews. Selling these supplements through WooCommerce is a smart business move, but shipping them requires careful attention. Pet supplements require protective packaging to prevent damage, accurate labeling for safety, and compliance with carrier and regulatory requirements, especially for products containing restricted ingredients.

This article addresses the key shipping challenges and guides shipping pet care products and supplements safely and efficiently from your WooCommerce store.

Shipping Challenges for Pet Care Products & Supplements

Shipping pet care things and supplements may seem straightforward, but in reality, these items come with a unique set of challenges, especially as your WooCommerce store grows across different regions or even countries.

1. A Wide Variety of Products, Each with Special Needs

Pet care isn’t one-size-fits-all. From multivitamins and omega oils to grooming sprays, each product type has its shipping considerations:

Liquid supplements may leak or freeze without proper insulation and seals.
Powders and chewables can spill or degrade if exposed to moisture or air.
Grooming products like shampoos may be subject to hazardous material rules depending on ingredients.
Treats with natural preservatives may have a shorter shelf life and need faster delivery methods.

2. International Shipping Complexity

When shipping domestically, especially within the U.S., you still need to comply with carrier rules (e.g., USPS, UPS, or FedEx may have restrictions on CBD-based products). However, shipping internationally adds another layer of complexity:

Customs Declarations: Supplements may require detailed documentation like ingredient lists, Certificates of Analysis, or MSDS.
Country-Specific Bans: Some countries prohibit the import of certain ingredients commonly found in pet supplements.
Delays & Rejections: Improper labeling or missing paperwork can lead to customs delays or returned shipments.

Smart Packaging for Pet Supplements in WooCommerce

Pet supplements vary in form, liquids, powders, and chews, and each type needs specific packaging to ensure safe delivery and compliance.

Liquids (e.g., fish oil, calming drops):

Use leak-proof bottles with induction seals, sealed inside poly bags and bubble wrap. For hot zones or summer shipping, insulated mailers or cold packs may be needed.

Chews & Treats (e.g., joint chews, calming chews):

Pack in resealable, moisture-resistant pouches. Add silica packets to prevent drying. Use padded boxes to avoid crushing.

Powders (e.g., probiotic blends, digestion support):

Ship in screw-top jars or vacuum-sealed packs. Always double-seal to prevent spillage. Light jars can ship safely, but heavier jars are better with Ground shipping.

Grooming Products (e.g., flea shampoos, sprays):

Use HDPE bottles with secure caps and bag individually. Products with alcohol may trigger hazmat rules.

Smart packaging not only protects the product, it reinforces your brand’s reliability.

Note: For more detailed packing tips, check out:

Choosing the Right Shipping Carriers

The right carrier ensures your pet supplements arrive safely, on time, and in compliance with regulations. Here’s how major carriers compare:

1. UPS

UPS – Reliable for both domestic and international shipping.

Great for liquids, glass bottles, and sensitive items
Strong tracking and handling
Offers Worldwide Saver for fast global delivery

Stores shipping fragile or regulated supplements.

2. FedEx

FedEx – Versatile and fast, with strong international support.

Handles hazmat grooming items better than most
Good for urgent or temperature-sensitive products
Services like FedEx Express and International Priority offer speed and tracking

Best for: High-value or time-sensitive shipments.

3. USPS

USPS – Cost-effective for small, lightweight items.

Limited tracking and slower international delivery
Not ideal for fragile or spill-prone supplements

Best for: Sample packs or low-cost domestic orders.

4. DHL Express

DHL – Specializing in international shipping.

Fast delivery and strong customs clearance
Some restrictions on ingredients like CBD

Best for: Fast, compliant global shipping.

Top Pick?

For most WooCommerce pet stores:
→ Use UPS for core shipping (domestic + international)
→ Use FedEx for express or sensitive shipments

Combine with a WooCommerce shipping plugin like the FedEx Shipping Plugin and the UPS Shipping Plugin to streamline the process. Let’s see how.

How to Ship Pet Care Products & Supplements in WooCommerce

Let’s say you run a WooCommerce store selling premium pet supplements, such as CBD/CBDA oils, calming chews, soft gels, or joint support pastes. These wellness products need careful packaging, clear labeling, and fast, reliable shipping. Handling everything manually can lead to delays, leaks, or compliance issues.

Shipping pet supplements doesn’t have to be complicated when you automate the process using tools like:

Note: If you’re new to the plugin, start with these setup guides for a quick integration:

Mark the product as its requirements

If you’re shipping frozen oils, CBD chews, or temperature-sensitive supplements, enable dry ice in FedEx and refrigeration in UPS.

For sprays or liquid cleaners, enable alcohol in both FedEx and UPS (make sure you’ve enabled it in the plugin’s special service settings to activate it at the product level).

For soft chews or natural treats that may spoil, enable perishables in UPS.

Note:To learn more about alcohol shipping with FedEx and UPS, check out:

Choosing the Right Shipping Services

Standard domestic (e.g., bulk chews, bottle orders): FedEx Home Delivery or UPS Ground.
Heat‑ or time‑sensitive (e.g., salmon oil, CBD chews): FedEx 2 Day or UPS 2nd Day Air.
International (e.g., exporting oils, chews): UPS Worldwide Saver or FedEx International Priority.

Display Accurate Rates at Checkout

Customers see real-time FedEx and UPS shipping rates at checkout, including all applicable surcharges based on product type and handling needs.

Generate Labels with Necessary Indicators

Once an order is placed, the plugin generates a shipping label that includes handling instructions. For example, FedEx labels show “Alcohol” when applicable, and UPS labels may display codes like “ISC” for restricted articles.

shipping label - Shipping Pet Care Products

Once the label is generated, tracking is shared with the customer, and you can schedule UPS or FedEx pickups right from WooCommerce.

For details, refer to the WooCommerce FedEx Shipment Tracking & Pickup Guide and Track UPS Orders in WooCommerce.

This automation ensures your pet supplements ship safely, with minimal manual effort.

Note:

USPS is suitable for non-sensitive items like soft chews or powders and offers budget-friendly rates, but it’s not ideal for oils, sprays, or urgent shipments. You can automate it using the PH USPS Shipping Plugin for WooCommerce .
DHL Express is reliable for international shipping with fast delivery and customs support, but it may restrict CBD products based on destination rules. Use the PH DHL Shipping Plugin for WooCommerce to automate DHL shipments.

Final Thoughts

Shipping pet care products and supplements from WooCommerce doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right packaging, carrier settings, and automation tools like PluginHive’s shipping plugins for UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL, you can ensure safe, compliant, and efficient delivery, whether you’re shipping locally or worldwide.

Need help setting it up? Reach out to PluginHive Support for personalized assistance.

FAQs

Can I display multiple carrier shipping rates at checkout in WooCommerce?

Yes, you can show shipping rates from multiple carriers (like UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL) at checkout using the PH Multiple Carrier Shipping Plugin for WooCommerce. This helps customers choose their preferred shipping option based on cost and speed.

How do I handle returns for pet supplements?

Use shipping plugins that support return label generation, such as PluginHive’s FedEx and UPS plugins. Communicate your return policy. For a complete guide, check out: WooCommerce Returns with FedEx Overnight.

Is insurance available for high-value pet supplements?

Yes. UPS and FedEx both offer declared value coverage. In PluginHive’s shipping plugins, you can enable this at checkout or during label generation to protect shipments against loss or damage.

Can I use flat-rate boxes for shipping supplements?

Yes, USPS Flat Rate boxes are ideal for small, dense items like jars or pouches. They offer predictable pricing and are easy to integrate using the PluginHive USPS Flat Rate Shipping Plugin for WooCommerce.

WooCommerce Shipping