Hi! I need advice on how to correctly ship flat fondant cupcake topper that will be about 2 inches round and flat. I will be opening an etsy shop and I will be shipping these and need to know the correct way to package the toppers without them getting ruined. Thanks!

You must first obtain a FDA licence. Without it, you will be committing a federal offense. You can start the process at the Dept of Ag.

Your question was how to ship toppers.

Here is 1 link with shipping advice for fragile items. Just google it "How to ship fragile items" and you will get alot of good sites with advice.

http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-ship-glassware-and-other-fragile-items_W0QQugidZ10000000000057399

Good luck to you.

So my information was not valid? Or you just didn't want to hear it? Don't you think the OP has a right to know that she needs an FDA license to ship or do you think I should have just let her find out the hard way. The fines are stiff and it is federal. There is a good chance the OP had no idea that this is such a serious offense.

Also check YouTube I think I saw a video on how to ship them on there. just make sure you do a practice shipping first. Good luck

No, I'm not saying your information was invalid. I was just answering her question.

A

Even if its not to eat do i have to have the permit ? I mean... Its fondant but i tell the costumes that I don't recommend them to eat.

I will be making gum paste flowers on Etsy eventually and I will put  "non-toxic but for decorative purposes only.  Not to be consumed."

OP asked how to ship, and part of shipping is knowing about the FDA.  I must say, it is scary how much food is on there that appears to not have FDA clearance of any sort… 

A

No, if you are clear in writing on the packaging that says "non toxic but not to be consumed, for decorative purposes only" you are clear of needing any licensing, as it's not a food product.   You can specify it's safe to be put on cakes, as in if it were accidentally consumed by a small child the child would live to tell.   

I would also put "remove before serving" and can be kept in a dry place as a keepsake.

AYou make me so happy :)

Hi Nikki

Assuming you have all licenses etc, did you ever manage to find a way to pack your toppers and send safely?

There are FDA rules that apply specifically to home-based businesses and restrictions on what can be used to make the toppers, but you don't need a license. You still need to follow the guidelines, though.

As far as packaging, you need to figure out what works for you. Some flower wholesalers ship things in ways that don't work for me, but seem to work for them. It depends on what you're sending and where it's going. I had to do a lot of trial and error, and I eliminated a lot of flowers that wouldn't ship well, and countries that have difficult customs offices, when I started selling gumpaste.