Part of our series on candle jars wholesale — read the overview first if the format is new to you.
There is no single FOB figure for a candle jar: the cost is quoted per project and follows glass weight first, then annealing quality, forming method, decoration and the lid. A jar is sold largely by the tonne of glass, so a 370ml jar at 320g will always cost more than the same outline at 260g, and that heavier wall is what gets it through a 6-hour burn. Compare quotes only once weight, annealing specification, case pack and port are the same on each.
The four things that set the cost of the glass
- Glass weight. The largest factor. More glass per jar means a higher cost and a wall better able to take sustained heat.
- Annealing. Annealing is the controlled cooling that removes stress from the glass. A candle-rated jar is annealed for a 42°C thermal-shock differential so it tolerates a wax pour at 55-70°C and the heat of the wick afterwards.
- Forming method. Press-and-blow machines cope with the thick bases of three-wick jars; blow-and-blow suits slim tumblers. It matters mostly at the two ends of the size range.
- Decoration. Amber melt colour, spray painting, frosting and screen printing are each added to the cost of the bare jar.
These sit inside the same cost model as any glass container, which our glass bottle cost guide explains in general terms.
Reference sizes and weights
The table gives the five common capacities with the wax each one holds, the neck finish and the glass weight. Use the weight column as your baseline when you ask for a quote.
| Model | Capacity | Wax fill | Finish | Glass weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CJ-200 | 200ml | ≈150g | 70-400 | 210g |
| CJ-270 | 270ml | ≈200g | 77-400 | 265g |
| CJ-370 (J63) | 370ml | ≈280g | 83-400 | 320g |
| CJ-500 3-wick | 500ml | ≈380g | 100-400 | 430g |
| CJ-700 3-wick | 700ml | ≈530g | 110-400 | 560g |
The basis assumed here is clear flint glass with candle-rated annealing, packed in divider cases, FOB a Chinese port. Shapes and available moulds are listed in our candle jar range. Food-jar buyers will recognise the finish family from the honey jar cost breakdown.
Lids and decoration
A lid has its own supply chain and is a separate buying decision. Sourcing jar and lid together as one kit usually works out better than splitting them, because a single supplier is then responsible for the fit tolerance and one freight leg disappears.
On colour, amber glass only has a functional role if the wax blend contains light-sensitive fragrance components, and most soy and paraffin blends do not. The case for amber or matte-black sprayed jars is commercial: they photograph well and support a higher shelf position.
Thermal specifications to put in the purchase order
A candle jar works as a heat appliance, which a food jar never has to. Three requirements belong in the order:
- Thermal-shock differential ≥42°C, tested to ASTM C149, covering both the pour and the first burn.
- Annealing verified for every lot. Under-annealed glass holds residual stress that can let go as a crack days after filling, often once the candle is with the customer.
- Base thickness ≥6mm on three-wick formats, where the flames sit closest to the glass.
Ask whether sample jars have been burn-tested with real wax and wicks before mass production. A supplier who has never done so is passing the failure risk to you, however low the quote. The related danger is decorative jars from non-candle suppliers that were never annealed for this use.
Case pack, pallet and container loading
Candle jars are heavy and ship mostly as empty space, so freight is a real part of landed cost. For a 370ml jar, plan on:
- 24-36 jars per divider case;
- roughly 2,800-3,400 jars per pallet;
- about 65,000-75,000 pieces in a 40-foot high-cube container before it reaches the weight ceiling.
List lids on their own line of the packing list so customs classifies them correctly. Order 2% extra glass to cover losses in transit and on the filling line.
Frequently asked questions
What does a lid add to the cost?
It depends on the lid system and quantity, and is quoted with the project. Buying it as a kit with the jar is normally the more economical route.
What is the minimum order for candle jars?
Minimums are set per project, according to the mould and the line the jar runs on.
How should quotes from different suppliers be compared?
Put them on one basis: identical capacity tolerance, glass weight, annealing specification and case pack, FOB the same port. Send those details with your closure type, quantity and destination through our quote form and we will match the project to a suitable plant.