Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How do sellers protect themselves when shipping BPs (or any other live animals)? I know Delta Dash will insure up to $750 but what happens when shipping high end morphs that cost significantly more than that? Also, I know a lot of sellers will use FedEx, UPS, or DHL (I've had snakes sent to me this way since I live 3 hours from a Delta Dash hub) but I'm pretty certain that these companies cannot promise a live delivery. Do the sellers just have to eat the losses if something goes wrong? Finally, when shipping FedEx, for example, how can sellers protect them from dishonest buyers who claim the snake is DOA?

I ask all of this because I am new to the business (it's more of a hobby for me) and want to know the best way to ship for future reference. Thanks in advance!

There are only two ways that you can properly ship a snake - thru Delta or thru Fedex. UPS, DHL don't ship animals, and it's illegal to ship thru the post office.

If you ship thru Fedex - you have no insurance - they don't cover perishable items. but if you ship thru Delta - you are about 50/50 at getting any compensation from them in case of accident and that will only occur after you jump thru plenty of hoops.

As far as someone claiming DOA - have them take photos of the snake and either have them 1. return it to you or 2. have a necropsy done on it and send you a vet report.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

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