Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'd like to sell my lizards through out the US, but I dont know how to ship them, I need all the advice I can get,
thanks,
mike

Well, to do it properly your going to need an insulated shipping box, deli cups with punched holes, or small boxes with holes in them, and cold/heat packs if needed.

I use deli cups myself and place crumpled, ripped up, and folded paper towels in the deli where the lizard will be contained. I use two strips of tape to make sure the lid is secure and the dragon cannot get out in transit. Just make sure you don't cover the air holes with the tape, only a strips are needed. You want it to be soft and cushiony inside the deli, but also you want it pretty packed to so if the box is dropped or tossed he will not be tossed around much, and has paper towels for some grip to hold on too. You want to give him enough room in the deli cup so if the box is set wrong side up he can flip himself over and not be stuck on his back for very long... The deli with the lizard inside goes into an insulated perishable shipping box, and I use craft paper, newspaper, or packing peanuts to secure the deli in the middle of the insulated box. Make sure the deli is nice and secure so if again the package is handled roughly, dropped he wont be shook up to much. After that you just check on line the temps where you are, and where the package will be heading to see if you will need cold, or heat packs. Personally I'd rather a dragon be cooler in shipping then hot, awake, and stressed. To cold will put them to sleep, but to hot will kill. I use cold packs if the temps on delivery are above 85-90 degrees because in the back of a delivery truck or in direct sunlight the temps will be much hotter. I use 1/2 pound cold packs that I wrap in paper towels then newspaper and tape to the insulated lid. With heat packs I place them in a corner with some room around them as they need oxygen to work properly, and if taped up oxygen reaching the pack is cut. I have bee using UPS overnight air for delivery before 10:30am, and so far so good Knock on WOOD!! Most get delivered between 8:30am-10:45am. I bring them in right before they close so the dragon is in the box as least as possible. I'll also share some URLs that might come in handy and show pics of how to pack too.

Superior enterprise is where I buy all my boxes, delis, and cold packs. They have good customer service, and packages are shipped out pretty fast. They also have tips on how to package.
http://www.superiorenterprise.com/tips.htm

This page will give some advice and show pics on how to pack
http://www.tncbeardies.com/Packing.htm

Scales has good prices, but for some reason their boxes come with their business logo them. Personally IMO I want my logo on the box and not another companies. They still offer good prices, and the staff is great
www.exoticlizards.com

aaa reptile also sells shipping supplies
http://www.aaareptilesupply.com/graphics/00000001/packagingNOCLICK_BTN.jpg

Be aware some places advertise lower prices, but they will nail you with shipping, as these boxes come in sets of 5 so if you need 25 boxes that is 5 large boxes they have to ship. Superior enterprise offers free shipping if your order is over $50. It's quite a savings if you have or need a lot of boxes to ship a clutch or two of babies. If you just need one box, and deli your best off going to Scales or aaa suppliy for an order under $50. Hope this helps you some. Goodluck.
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Webshots photos
www.Mystical-Dragons.com