Quick answer
ASEAN candle makers in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia supply soy, coconut and paraffin blends plus reed diffusers for retail and private label. Typical MOQ is 1,000-3,000 units per SKU, FOB USD 1.10-6.50 per unit, and lead time is 40-60 days. Glass vessel sourcing, not wax, usually drives the schedule.
Country fit
| Country | Best for | MOQ | FOB (220 g glass jar) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Premium soy/coconut blends, spa and hotel lines | 1,000 pcs | USD 2.60-6.50 |
| Vietnam | Value paraffin and soy, ceramic vessels | 2,000 pcs | USD 1.10-3.20 |
| Indonesia | Natural aromatics, rattan-wrapped and diffusers | 2,000 pcs | USD 1.40-4.00 |
Specs to lock before quoting
- Wax: soy, coconut, paraffin or blend ratio; melt point and cold-throw expectation.
- Fragrance: oil supplier, load percentage (6-10%), IFRA category and documentation.
- Wick: cotton, wood or paper core; diameter matched to vessel width.
- Vessel: glass thickness, ceramic glaze, lid material, print or decal method.
- Packing: gift box board GSM, insert type, drop-test requirement.
Compliance
- EU: CLP labelling, allergen list, IFRA conformity certificate per fragrance.
- US: ASTM F2417 fire safety, F2058 labelling, California Prop 65 review.
- MSDS/SDS for each fragrance oil for air or sea documentation.
- Origin documents for ATIGA, EVFTA, UKVFTA or CPTPP duty preference.
Quality control plan
- Approve a sealed sample with recorded scent throw, colour and vessel dimensions.
- Full burn test: 4-hour cycles to base, checking flame height, sooting and glass temperature.
- Pre-shipment AQL 2.5/4.0 focused on wax sink holes, wick centring and label alignment.
- Carton drop test at 1 m on six faces for glass vessels.
Landed cost example
| Line | USD / 6,000 jars |
|---|---|
| FOB at USD 2.60 | 15,600 |
| Ocean freight (1x40HQ) + insurance | 2,700 |
| Duty and destination charges | 900-2,300 |
| Landed cost per jar | USD 3.20-3.44 |
FAQ
Can I supply my own fragrance oils?
Yes. Ship them with SDS and IFRA papers, and allow one extra sampling round for wick re-matching.
Why do candles tunnel in production samples?
Wick diameter is too small for the vessel or the pour temperature is too high. Both are fixed at sample stage.
Is sea freight safe for wax in hot lanes?
Use higher melt-point blends or reefer for tropical transhipment when the melt point is under 50 C.
Work with TUSKO
We handle supplier selection, sampling, burn testing, inspection and consolidated shipping under one purchase order and one price, with our fee already built into the landed cost. Send your SKU list or target specification to contact@tuskoconsulting.com or WhatsApp Business @tuskoconsulting and we reply within 12-24 hours.