Vietnam supplied 53.7 percent of US candle imports by value in 2025, ahead of Canada (21.4 percent), Mexico (4.7 percent) and India (4.5 percent). China fell to 3.4 percent. Indonesia does not appear among the listed origins, so it is a small candle origin: a reason to verify a supplier carefully, and sometimes a reason to get more attention from one.
If you are choosing where to source candles, that is a more useful starting point than any “best country” ranking. Here is what the trade data shows, what it does not, and how to compare origins without relying on marketing.
Where US Candle Imports Came From in 2025
The figures below are US Census Bureau import data for HS 3406 (candles, tapers and the like), full-year 2025, as compiled by Eightx. Total US candle imports were about $1.16 billion, up 5.0 percent from 2024.
| Origin | Import value, 2025 | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $622.6M | 53.7% |
| Canada | $248.7M | 21.4% |
| Mexico | $54.7M | 4.7% |
| India | $52.5M | 4.5% |
| China | $39.7M (down 37.0% from 2024) | 3.4% |
| Dominican Republic | $37.1M | 3.2% |
| Thailand | $12.2M | 1.1% |
Three limits on this data. It covers the US only, so it says nothing about the EU, the Middle East or Australia. It is measured in dollars, not units, so a high-value origin and a high-volume origin can look alike. And HS 3406 does not separate paraffin, soy or beeswax candles, which matters for trade remedies (below).
Where Indonesia Fits
Honestly: it is small. Indonesia is not in the origin list above, and published export figures for candles are modest. Trading Economics lists Indonesian candle exports of about US$44 thousand to Israel in 2025, and about US$2 thousand to Malaysia.
Indonesian makers that publish their materials describe palm-based and coconut-blend waxes and a lot of hand finishing, for example the fair-trade producers profiled by Eco-Business. That is a different product profile from the glass-jar scented candle that dominates large-volume sourcing, which is worth knowing before you ask any Indonesian supplier to match a Vietnamese or Chinese spec.
A small origin cuts both ways. There is less track record to lean on and fewer suppliers to compare. On the other side, smaller factories tend to quote directly and are often more willing to talk about a first order that a large exporter would not prioritize. Neither is guaranteed, which is why verification matters more than country.
What About China?
China’s share of US candle imports was 3.4 percent in 2025, down 37 percent in a year. The data does not say why. Two factors buyers commonly cite are tariffs and the US antidumping order on petroleum wax candles from China (case A-570-504), whose scope covers tapers, pillars, votives and wax-filled containers. Candles molded into identifiable objects have been ruled outside it in some cases.
Treat the order’s current status and rates as something to verify, not assume. The scope rulings I found date from 1998 to 2004, and a current rate has to come from the US Commerce Department or your customs broker. Because HS 3406 does not separate wax types, scope is decided product by product.
How to Compare Candle Origins Without Guessing
Skip country rankings. Compare suppliers on the things that decide your landed cost and your risk:
- Wax and vessel supply. Can the factory source the wax, glass and wicks you specified, or will it substitute? Ask for the exact materials in writing.
- MOQ and what it counts. Per order, per SKU or per scent. See how private label MOQ works.
- Timeline, door to door. One Alibaba sourcing guide puts sea freight to the US at roughly 25 to 35 days and total time at 8 to 12 weeks including production, not the 15 days some listings advertise. Ask for production, sampling and freight separately.
- Compliance documents. Safety and labeling rules differ by market. Ask which documents the supplier can actually provide for your destination; see candle export certifications explained.
- Tariff exposure. Duties have changed repeatedly. Eightx notes the HS 3406 base rate is 0 percent, with country-specific layers on top, and that reciprocal tariffs were reported as not being implemented as of February 24, 2026. Confirm the current figure with a customs broker before you place a purchase order.
- Supplier verification. A manufacturer, or a trading company reselling someone else’s production? Ask for the business registration and a sample.
Where AsterCandle Fits
AsterCandle is a manufacturer in Surabaya, Indonesia, operated by PT Anugrah Rejeki Jaya, with the port of Tanjung Perak nearby. We are a small origin and a newer name, so do not take our word for it: ask for a sample, ask for our business registration, and start with a smaller order. Here is how to verify us before you commit.
Typical terms are on our order terms section: wholesale from about 100 units, private label from about 250, and production of 3 to 6 weeks plus sea freight, as typical ranges confirmed per order. For the import side, see how to import candles from Indonesia, or send us your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country supplies the most candles to the US?
Vietnam, with 53.7 percent of US candle imports by value in 2025 ($622.6M of about $1.16B), according to US Census data compiled by Eightx.
Is Indonesia a good country to source candles from?
It can be, for the right product. It is a small candle origin, strongest in handmade and natural-wax styles, with less published track record than larger origins. Judge the supplier, not the country: sample first, verify the company, and compare terms in writing.
Do candles from Indonesia pay different duties than candles from China?
Duty depends on origin, product and destination, and has changed often. China-origin petroleum wax candles may fall under a US antidumping order; that order is based on country of origin. Confirm the rate for your specific product with a customs broker.
Is China still a major candle supplier?
China’s share of US candle imports fell to 3.4 percent in 2025. The US data says nothing about other markets, so check your own destination’s import data before drawing conclusions.