Shipping Standards

What you can ship with ShipYourReptiles

You cannot ship illegal drugs, batteries, liquor, aerosols, firearms and ammunition, fireworks, explosives, mammals (no dogs, no cats), birds, dry ice and absolutely no venomous reptiles.

ShipYourReptiles.com is approved for the shipping of live non venomous reptiles, including snakes, to business and residential addresses.

You must follow all ShipYourReptiles.com Shipping Standards.

You must also follow all FedEx rules and restrictions. For more details, see this section of the FedEx site:

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Choosing a FedEx shipping service

ShipYourReptiles offers the following FedEx shipping services:

  • Priority Overnight
  • 2Day
  • Express Saver (three day)
  • Ground (to business addresses)
  • Home Delivery (to residential addresses)

Live shipments must be sent via Priority Overnight. Failure to use Priority Overnight for live shipments will void insurance coverage.

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Why you must follow these shipping standards

Some people in the general public are afraid of reptiles. We at ShipYourReptiles.com and Pro Exotics have worked hard to prove that properly packaged non-venomous reptiles are safe and reliable to ship, and that reptile breeders and hobbyists are legitimate shipping customers. We are approved to ship live non-venomous reptiles—but you must follow safe reptile packaging standards.

Remember: What you do affects the entire reptile hobby and industry. The general public has a right to live their lives without encountering a reptile that’s escaped from improper packaging. Every time someone ships a reptile with substandard packaging, and that reptile escapes, dies, scares or harms someone, that reflects poorly on all reptile hobbyists. It also furthers legislative efforts to ban reptiles entirely.

Take responsibility. Do your part. Pack your reptile properly. Make sure it reaches its destination safely. It’s good for the reptile, it’s good for the recipient, and it’s good for you.

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Determining which shipping supplies you need

For help figuring out which supplies you need, click the Buy Shipping Supplies link at the top of any ShipYourReptiles.com page, and browse our Shipping Kits. They are organized by type and size of animal.

Each kit includes everything you need to ship that type and size of animal: deli cup and/or reptile bag, zip tie, heat pack, cold pack, and an insulated box.

Even if you don’t want to buy a kit, you can use our sizing charts and kit descriptions to determine what you need.

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Which shipping kit should I order?

Here are some guidelines based on species and age. If you have any questions, contact Andy at Andy@ShipYourReptiles.com or 303-730-2125 x1.

Animal Kit #
   
Lizard - small species baby 2
Lizard - small species juvenile 2
Lizard - small species adult 3
Lizard - medium species baby 2
Lizard - medium species juvenile 3
Lizard - medium species adult 5
Lizard - large species baby 3
Lizard - large species juvenile 5
   
Snake - small species baby 2
Snake - small species juvenile 2
Snake - small species adult 3
Snake - medium species baby 2
Snake - medium species juvenile 2
Snake - medium species adult 3
Snake - large species baby 2
Snake - large species juvenile 3
Snake - large species large juvenile 4
Snake - large species adult 5
   
Gecko - small species baby 2
Gecko - small species juvenile 2
Gecko - small species adult 2
Gecko - medium species baby 2
Gecko - medium species juvenile 2
Gecko - medium species adult 3
Gecko - large species baby 2
Gecko - large species juvenile 2
Gecko - large species adult 3

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Choosing a deli cup vs. cloth reptile bag

Use a deli cup for small, delicate animals. The more delicate the animal, the more it needs the structure of the deli cup. Use a deli cup for small reptiles including geckos and lizards (less than 1" x 16") as well as for frogs and other delicate creatures.

Use a cloth reptile bag for larger reptiles that have more size and weight.

For detailed recommendations, refer to our shipping kits.

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Regulating the temperature of the package

You might need to use a heat pack or cold pack inside your package. This decision depends on the type of animal you’re shipping and the daytime high temperature at your location and at the destination.

If you have questions about a specific species or weather condition, consult a reputable breeder of your species for more detailed guidelines and parameters.

Reptiles

Below 38°F: Don’t ship. Wait for warmer weather.

38-70°F: Use a heat pack per our directions.

70-92°F: No heat pack required.

92-100°F: Ship to a "Fedex staffed" facility (NOT a FedEx Office, Pak Mail, Mail Boxes Etc. or other satellite/franchise location). Your shipment will arrive early in the morning and be kept inside until the recepient picks it up. Search for a Fedex staffed facility near you. Read the IMPORTANT NOTE below.*

Over 100°F: Don’t ship. Wait for cooler weather.


Amphibians and other species from cooler moist climates.

Below 38°F: Don’t ship. Wait for warmer weather.

38-70°F: Use a heat pack per our directions.

70-80°F: No cold or heat pack required.

80-92°F: Use a cold pack per our directions. 

92-100°F: Use a cold pack per our directions and ship to a "Fedex staffed" facility (NOT a FedEx Office, Pak Mail, Mail Boxes Etc. or other satellite/franchise location). Your shipment will arrive early in the morning and be kept inside until the recepient picks it up. Search for a Fedex staffed facility near you. Read the IMPORTANT NOTE below.*

Over 100°F: Don’t ship. Wait for cooler weather.

 

*IMPORTANT NOTE: When the daytime high temperature at your destination is between 92 and 100 degrees, you should not ship to typical residential or business locations. Any time spent on a delivery truck during the heat of the day can be detrimental to the health of your reptile. However, you can ship to a "Fedex staffed" facility (NOT a FedEx Office, Pak Mail, Mail Boxes Etc. or other satellite/franchise location). Your shipment will arrive early in the morning and be kept inside until the recepient picks it up.

If you want to have your package held for pickup at a FedEx facility, be sure to enter "FedEx World Service Center" in the Organization field and "HOLD AT FACILITY" in the second address field, like this:

When the daytime high temperature at your location is between 92 and 100 degrees, live shipments must be dropped off at a FedEx counter very late in the day, after 5 p.m. You will not beat the heat if you give your package to a FedEx driver at 1 p.m. and it spends the afternoon making the rounds in a hot truck. A hot weather shipment (over 92F) will be covered under our ShipYourReptiles Insurance policy only if the parameters mentioned here (post 5 p.m. drop off, shipping to FedEx staffed facility, hold for pickup) are followed.

Search for a Fedex staffed facility near you.

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Using a heat pack

ShipYourReptiles.com offers 40- and 72-hour heat packs. At Pro Exotics, we use 40-hour heat packs for reptile shipping. Reptiles must be shipped Priority Overnight, and the 40-hour heat pack is appropriate.

To ship live reptiles, do not use the 12- or 24-hour packs available at your local BigBox store or ski shop. Those packs are hand warmers, not shipping tools. The 12-24 hour packs don’t provide the necessary heat nor duration for a successful live shipment.

Heat packs work through a chemical reaction between the contents of the heat pack and oxygen in the surrounding air. Oxygen flow is regulated through the perforated red line. Never cover the red line with tape or anything else.

Pre-start your heat pack two hours before shipping. Shake it up well, and place it in a folded towel so it can generate a quick, solid heat. The heat pack will not heat up properly if you leave it in open air.

The heat pack must be well started before you tape it to the underside of the top insulation panel and seal your box. Remember not to tape over the perforated red line.

Note: Do not overuse heat packs! Use only one heat pack per box unless you are using our largest box, the 30"x16"x10", where two heat packs can be used if needed. Two heat packs in a box 16x16x8 or smaller will cause the box to get too hot and can kill the animal. 

If the temperatures are near the lower end of the SYR guidelines then doubling the insulation and/or having the shipment held at a FedEx facility will minimize the chances for a DOA.

DOAs are often caused by improper use of heat packs during the winter. Using too many heat packs in a box can cause the inside of the box to overheat. Be aware that heat packs use oxygen and using more than needed may consume all the oxygen in the box and have fatal consequences for the animal. Following these guidelines will increase your chances of having successful shipments.

Note: New heat packs are soft and feel like loose powder. Used heat packs are hard. If your heat pack is hard, it has been compromised. Use a different one.

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Using a cold pack

Put the cold pack in your freezer overnight. It should be fully frozen.

Pack your animal, but don’t place the cold pack until you’re ready for pickup or dropoff. This keeps the cold pack frozen longer.

When you’re ready to seal the package, wrap the cold pack in newspaper to absorb condensation. Tape the pack to the underside of the top insulation panel. Make sure there is packing material (usually crumpled newspaper) between the cold pack and the deli cup or cloth reptile bag.

Note: Using this site, you may not ship a package containing dry ice.

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Selecting the shipping box

You must use a new cardboard box with an interior of insulating foam. The foam insulation must be at least ¾ inch thick. The box should not bear markings that indicate a dangerous or illegal item.

The box must be large enough to contain the deli cup or reptile bag, adequate packing material to protect the animal, the heat or cold pack and the foam insulation.

For help selecting the right box size, click the Buy Shipping Supplies link at the top of any ShipYourReptiles.com page, and browse our Shipping Kits. They are organized by type and size of animal.

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Using ShipYourReptiles.com shipping supplies

All shipping supplies and shipping kits sold on ShipYourReptiles.com meet the reptile-shipping standards developed by ShipYourReptiles.com. If you use a ShipYourReptiles.com shipping kit according to our directions, you can feel secure that you’re shipping your reptile as safely and reliably as possible.

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Using your own shipping supplies

You may use your own shipping supplies, but they must meet or exceed the standards developed by ShipYourReptiles.com:

  • Cardboard box is new, with no markings that indicate a dangerous or illegal item (no alcohol boxes). Box must not have any kind of warning or hazardous material markings or stickers. Box should be labeled in accordance with the Lacey Act. See more on that here.
  • Insulation lining must be at least ¾ inch thick. The insulating lining must cover all four sides of the inside of the cardboard box, as well as the top and bottom.
  • Heat or cold packs must be used according to ShipYourReptiles.com Shipping Standards.
  • You must use a “triple container.”
    1. The deli cup or cloth reptile bag.
    2. The insulating foam container.
    3. The cardboard box.
  • You must seal the box adequately. All shipping labels must be fully legible.

If you have any doubts, use the supplies available on ShipYourReptiles.com.

Remember: What you do affects the entire reptile hobby and industry. The general public has a right to live their lives without encountering a reptile that’s escaped from improper packaging. Every time someone ships a reptile with substandard packaging, and that reptile escapes, dies, scares or harms someone, that reflects poorly on all reptile hobbyists. It also furthers legislative efforts to ban reptiles entirely.

Take responsibility. Do your part. Pack your reptile properly. Make sure it reaches its destination safely. It’s good for the reptile, it’s good for the recipient, and it’s good for you.

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Shipping service restrictions

All live animals must be shipped FedEx Priority Overnight, Monday through Thursday only. An overnight Friday shipment won't arrive until Monday- that is not acceptable and not permitted.

Absolutely no venomous or dangerous reptiles are to be shipped through FedEx or ShipYourReptiles.com. Absolutely no mammals.

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Reptile size restrictions

Snakes larger than 4 inches in diameter or 8 feet in length cannot be shipped with ShipYourReptiles.com.

To ship a larger reptile, you must build or buy a strong wooden crate and ship it using a freight service such as Delta Air Cargo.

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The right way to pack a reptile

  1. Gather your shipping supplies.

    ShipYourReptiles.com shipping kits contain everything you need:

    • Insulated box of the appropriate size
    • Zip tie
    • Deli cup and/or cloth reptile bag, matched to type and size of animal
    • Heat pack
    • Cold pack
    • Self adhering label envelope
    • ShipYourReptiles.com Shipping Tips and Quick Referral sheet Download it now
    • Harmless LIVE REPTILE label for the interior of your box Download it now

    You provide the packing material (usually crumpled newspaper).

    You may use your own supplies, but they must meet or exceed ShipYourReptiles.com Shipping Standards.

    Start your heat pack two hours before shipping. More info

    Freeze your cold pack overnight. More info

  2. Prepare the shipping box

    Insert the insulating foam panels on the bottom and sides of your box if necessary.

    Ventilate the box by punching 4-6 holes with a Philips screwdriver. Punch them from the outside in, going through the box and the insulating foam. Do this before you put anything else (especially your reptile) in the box.

  3. Create a nest with packing material

    Crumpled newspaper works well. Line the bottom and sides of the box so the deli cup or reptile bag will rest securely in the nest.

    Tape the heat pack to the underside of your lid, red line visible. Do not tape over the red line. Don’t use a heat pack that feels hard or stiff.

  4. Prepare the deli cup or cloth bag

    Inspect the cup or bag to make sure there are no cracks, holes or weak spots.

    Using a Sharpie pen, label the cup or bag with species and sex.

  5. Inspect the animal

    Absolutely NO VENOMOUS or DANGEROUS REPTILES are to be shipped through FedEx or ShipYourReptiles.com. Absolutely no mammals.

    Only ship a healthy animal, with good weight. We prefer not to ship when an animal is in shed. We prefer not to feed a reptile the week before shipping, to prevent regurgitation during shipping.

    Be 100% confident in the animal you’re shipping. Go over it in detail, so you know exactly what your customer will see when opening the package.

  6. Put the animal into the container

    Leave the animal room to move. Use packing material as a cushion, and to absorb any waste.

    Bag—Inspect the bag to be sure there are no holes or broken seams. We prefer to use a zip tie to seal the bag for total security (one is included with each shipping kit). Some shippers tie their bags, others use tape and some use a combination of methods. The main thing is you want the bag to be closed securely.

    Cup—Tape completely around the rim. Be sure not cover the air holes. Re-punch air holes if necessary.

  7. Put the container in the box

    Nestle the cup or bag into the nesting material. The container should not have room to jostle inside the box.

    Put on the top insulating foam panel/lid, with the heat pack or cold pack (if needed) facing down.

    Put your receipt, caresheet and other paperwork on top of the insulating foam lid. Place your harmless LIVE REPTILE label—the one that comes with your shipping kit—on top, with the duplicate shipping address in the space provided. This harmless LIVE REPTILE note should be the first thing a person sees when opening the box. If your harmless LIVE REPTILE label has been lost or damaged, you can download another here. 

  8. Label your package in accordance with the federal Lacey Act

    You are required to mark the outside of the package as "wildlife" and have itemized paperwork (i.e. customer receipt) inside the top flap with more species information and quantities available for easy reference. More info on the Lacey Act here.

  9. Fasten the label and ship

    If you haven’t already done so, enter your package and shipping info into ShipYourReptiles.com and purchase your shipping label. You can schedule a FedEx driver pickup during this process.

    You can print your shipping label from the ShipYourReptiles.com site or from your confirmation email.

    If you are using a thermal label printer, the label will be self-adhesive. If you print your label on regular paper, place your label inside the provided label pouch and affix the self adhesive pouch to the top of your shipping box.

    Print your FedEx FedEx reference note and tape it next to your FedEx shipping label.

    We recommend dropping your package off at an Office Max, FedEx Staffed location or FedEx Authorized Ship Center. There are plenty of these locations, and they are generally convenient to where you live. They will accept packages at their FedEx counters for end-of-day pickup by FedEx drivers. This makes them perfect for afternoon drop offs.

    Find a FedEx drop off location here.

    You can track your package progress using your FedEx tracking number on the home page of ShipYourReptiles.com.

    If you have any questions or issues with your shipment, please contact us directly. You are a ShipYourReptiles.com client, not a direct FedEx client, and we will help you answer questions, clarify tracking or process claims. You can call us at 303 730-2125 or email us at service@ShipYourReptiles.com.

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What is the Lacey Act and how does it apply to live reptile shipments?

The Lacey Act is a federal rule that addresses package labeling for interstate transport of live reptiles.

According to the Lacey Act, you are required to mark the outside of the package as "wildlife" and have itemized paperwork* easily available inside the top flap with detailed species and quantity information.

Super duper official federal government guideline docs here and here.

Our suggestion:

Different states have different rules. To meet both federal and state regulations, mark the outside of the package:

"WILDLIFE - LIVE HARMLESS REPTILE"

Be sure to include your paperwork* inside the top flap of the box, on top of the foam insulation.

 

*Sales receipt, as well as the species and quantities of live harmless reptiles contained in the package.

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Remember: What you do affects the entire reptile hobby and industry

The general public has a right to live their lives without encountering a reptile that’s escaped from improper packaging. Every time someone ships a reptile with substandard packaging, and that reptile escapes, dies, scares or harms someone, that reflects poorly on ALL reptile hobbyists. It also furthers legislative efforts to ban reptiles entirely.
  
Take responsibility. Do your part. Pack your reptile properly. Make sure it reaches its destination safely. It’s good for the reptile, it’s good for the recipient, and it’s good for you.

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Provide accurate information

Be sure to enter a complete, accurate destination address, as well as accurate package dimensions and weight.

  • FedEx charges an extra fee for an incomplete or inaccurate address. This "address correction" fee is currently $11.
  • FedEx measures every package and charges for the greater of the dimensional weight (L x W x H / 166, rounded up to the nearest pound) or actual weight. If you enter 1 pound when you book your shipment, but FedEx measures your package at 10 pounds, FedEx charges us the difference -- and we will charge you the difference.

All additional fees charged by FedEx will be charged to the credit card you used to book the shipment. If your credit card company declines the charge, we will charge the additional fees to another card we have on file. We reserve the right to charge for the time spent processing these fees.

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How should I label the outside of the box?

In addition to your FedEx shipping label and the FedEx reference note (we provide it when you book a shipment), it's important you mark your package to indicate its contents.

The federal Lacey Act and various state regulations require different labelling. To meet federal and state rules, mark the outside of your box with:

"WILDLIFE - LIVE HARMLESS REPTILE"

Be sure to include your paperwork* inside the top flap of the box, on top of the foam insulation.

*Sales receipt, as well as the species and quantities of live harmless reptiles contained in the package.

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