SUBMISSIONS INSTRUCTIONS: NEXT STEPS!
We are honored to have your participation!
You have already submitted via our online form and we have sent you an important email - which will come to you via Submittable - with information about next steps. If you did not receive that email, or want to review the information, you can read on here for very important instructions about how to send in your sample.
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF SAMPLES: DECEMBER 4, 2026, BY END OF DAY
If you anticipate any issues, email us at hello@artandolfaction.com immediately so we can do our best to accommodate you.
Read on for instructions on how to prepare and where to send your sample.
NEXT STEPS: SEND US YOUR SAMPLE(S)
Now that your have submitted, please prepare a package that includes the following items for each scent submitted:
1. Download, print and fill out the Sample Packing Form (opens PDF in new window)
This is so our receiving team can clearly track which perfume has been submitted. If you are submitting multiple brands, please be sure to include one form per brand, listing the submitted perfumes.
2. A sample of the submitted perfume:
+ Please submit in a generic unbranded bottle.
+ Please do not send us spray bottles (unless the spray cap can be unscrewed).
+ Please make sure that your bottle is well-sealed. Test your bottles for leakage before shipping!
+ Label your bottle with the perfume name, company name, and submission category. If we cannot identify the submitted bottle due to missing, damaged, or insufficient labels, you will need to reship all samples.
Note: If hand-writing labels, we highly recommend using pencil to label your samples. If there is a leak, the ink from a pen will run.
WHERE to send your sample
All submissions should be sent to:
The Art and Olfaction Awards
3154 Glendale Blvd. Box 112
Los Angeles, CA. 90039
United States
Phone number (for your shipping forms): 323-661-1968
Email (for your shipping forms): hello@artandolfaction.com
Note: Do not send your package with "Signature Required". It is not necessary.
Remember to include the Sample Packing Form!
U.S. CUSTOMS: FORMS
We cannot help with US customs issues, unfortunately. We find them as confusing as you do! However, we have noticed that if you follow the instructions below, it is less likely to trigger any issues:
- List the contents as 'Non-commercial | Scent samples'
- List the total value at UNDER $15.00
PACKAGING YOUR SAMPLE
GREAT!
DISQUALIFIED
ACCEPTABLE
Easy to open bottles with twist off tops. We love these: They make our life easy!
ACCEPTABLE
DISQUALIFIED
ACCEPTABLE
Twist-off spray caps or "tamper proof" caps that hurt the hands to open, or require a tool.
DISQUALIFIED
DISQUALIFIED
DISQUALIFIED
Crimped spray tops. We literally cannot open them!
HOW MUCH TO SEND
Artisan, Independent Categories: We require a minimum of 25ml of each perfume. This amount ensures that we will have sufficient quantity to decant and send to the judges, who are located around the world.
Newcomer Award: If you are submitting to the Newcomers Award, we require an additional 20ml of the submitted perfume, above and beyond the 25ml required for artisan and independent. The total amount we need, then, is 45ml. This can be sent in the same bottle!
Experimental Award: We require a minimum of 25ml per scent submitted. However, we can make special accomodations when the scent component is not in perfume form, or where there was too small a quantity made. Email us (hello@artandolfaction.com) if this is the case, and we’ll find the right solution. Please note also that if the project contains multiple perfume components, we can only accept up to 3 samples, per project submitted.
WHat HAPPENS NEXT
Your submission is not complete until we receive your bottle of perfume. We will send you an email confirmation once it is received and processed at the IAO. Because mail pickup is sometimes delayed, this usually happens within 72 hours of the sample being delivered to our shipping hub.
Once your bottle is received and logged, we notify you and then decant the scent sample into generic vials, labeled only with a tracking number. Then, they are ready for judging!
THANK YOU!
On behalf of our judges and the awards production team, thank you for submitting. We are so thrilled that you chose to participate in this international celebration of excellence in independent and artisan perfumery, and in experimental work with scent.
Although the competition is hard, you are part of a global movement that is impacting creative access to the big beautiful field of perfumery and olfactory art. For that, we salute you!