Perfume Bottle Neck Finishes Explained: FEA 15 Crimp vs Screw Neck
Short answer: Most fine-fragrance bottles use a crimp neck, most often 15 mm (FEA 15). The pump is crimped permanently onto the glass, which gives a clean look and a reliable seal. Screw necks (for example 18/415) let you close bottles by hand and allow refilling, which suits small batches, samples and refillable concepts.
The main options
| Neck type | How the pump is fixed | Pros | Cons | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimp (e.g. FEA 13, 15, 18, 20) | Metal ferrule of the pump is crimped around the glass neck | Slim, premium look; strong seal; collar hides the joint | Needs a crimping tool; not refillable | Eau de parfum, eau de toilette |
| Screw neck (e.g. 18/415, 20/410) | Pump screws onto a threaded neck | No machine needed; refillable; easy for small runs | Visible thread or bulkier collar | Samples, body mists, refillable lines |
| Snap-on (no-crimp) | Pump presses onto the neck | Fast filling without crimping | Fewer pump choices; check seal carefully | Mid-range and gift sets |
FEA is the code system used by the European perfume packaging industry for crimp neck sizes. The number refers to the neck diameter in millimetres.
How to avoid fit problems
- Pick the pump and bottle together. Ask the supplier to test the exact pump on the exact bottle.
- Check the dip tube length. It must reach the bottom corner of the bottle. Heavy-base bottles have a raised inner bottom, so the tube is often shorter than you expect.
- Test the collar. Decorative collars must sit flush on the shoulder and leave room for the cap.
- Approve a full set. Approve bottle + pump + collar + cap together, then keep one set as the golden sample.
Crimping in practice
Small brands can use a manual crimping tool for a few hundred bottles. For larger volumes, filling companies use pneumatic crimpers. Tell us how you plan to fill, and we will suggest the right neck.
Most bottles in our perfume bottle range use a 15 mm crimp neck, for example the clear heavy-base 100 ml bottle. Screw-neck versions are available on request. Ask for a fitted sample set.