Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HI all,

I keep hearing that people can ship overnight for $35 - but whenever I do it by UPS it seems to cost $70. Is that because I'm having them pick it up at my door? Is it cheaper if I take it to a store?

Also - what about FedEx - someone said they get a flat rate. If so, how can I get that?

Thanks, Christy

It's all illegal, unless you are a verified shipper and ship thru an airline.
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CB

"I'm a truckin bassmole, and proud of it"

I use UPS all the time, and it works fine. I've shipped a couple of thousand animals with them, and only lost 2 geckos due to a freak snow storm. (I didn't use heat packs with that one because the weather prediction was for it to be in the 70s, not in the teens!)

Here's a tip, have your paypal account and your UPS account linked. This way you can preprint a label on you computer. It makes shipping a lot faster, and with less hassles.---The shipping will be paid by your paypal account, and you don't get a lot of questions from the UPS guys when you have a prepaid label--very professional looking.

The only problem is that they won't insure live animals. If it dies, is lost, etc., you take the loss. I have never had them loose a package however, and their tracking is great.

It is illegal to ship snakes via USPS, it is legal with UPS, as far as I know.

It generally cost me about $35-$50 depending on the weight/size of the package. Make sure your insulated box is under one square foot, or the price goes way up. I am guessing that the box size you are using is just over one square foot, so the price is double. (add the box's length, width, height in inches, and it must be less than 36 inches total to get the better price.)

Rodney

None of them would let me ship anything, but worms. Do they know what you are shipping, and if so, can I call them to find out how to ship a Ball python legally? Give me a # please.

Thankyou
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CB

"I'm a truckin bassmole, and proud of it"

First, it depends a lot on who you talk to at the local UPS depot. The first time I shipped, it was a little tough, but after the first time, they then knew me, and it was very easy after that. With pre-printed labels, they would have never even known what I was shipping! The first time you go in, look professional! Have a nice insulated box, nicely taped, and you should have no problem.

Yes, they know what I am shipping.

In fact, everytime I come in, all the women in the place come over to me and ask what kinds of critters I am shipping this time! They love leopard geckos, and have learned to like the colors of my snakes, though they still don't like snakes! I have started taking pictures to show them what is in the box, and occasionally, a live animal in a deli cup to show them.

I originally set up an account with UPS, and they mailed me a large package with forms (with pre printed account info), rules, rates, etc. I used it a couple of times, but then when I got my paypal account, and had it linked to that, I quit using the preprinted forms material they sent me. It's a lot easier letting paypal and UPS do all the work--printing shipping labels, taking payment for shipping, etc. Also, with a paypal/UPS preprinted label, all I have to do is drop off the box. No standing in a long line at the UPS cashier since it is already paid for, etc.

I don't know why everyone thinks it is illegal to ship snakes. It is illegal with the USPS because they have rules and they are a government agency, UPS is not run by the govt., so as long as you are not breaking any other laws (like shipping endangered species without a permit) it should be fine. Violating a government rule, that applies to a govt. agency, is a lot different than violating a rule of a private corporation. You could possible get into trouble breaking a rule of a corporation, but do you really think they would bother going after you unless there was big $$$$$ involved? But remember, if there is a loss, you may not be covered. (I have talked to many of the pet shops I deal with, and they regularly get UPS shipments of live snakes, and they do cover any losses, but the UPS rules state that they will not. I have shipped lizards, insects of various types with USPS, but won't ever ship anything live (except insects) with them again. In fact, you used to be able to ship live chickens with the postal service! I think you still can. They loose a lot of packages though, and they can never find them (at least not for a week or so).

Go to UPS.com and send an e-mail to them (to corporate I assume) if you want to check it out more, or ask for a new account package. If insurance on the animal is a big deal to you, then you may not want to go this way.

Rodney

Do you know if there is a cost difference between having them pick it up at your door or taking it to one of their locations?

Thanks, Christy

If they have to make a special trip, then yes, there is an additional charge. If the UPS driver is there to deliver a package, I believe they will take yours at no additional charge.

Go to UPS.com and set up your own account. You can pay on-line with a credit card and print your own labels. Then you will see exactly what the charges are.

>>In fact, you used to be able to ship live chickens with the postal service! I think you still can.

My post (above) disappeared....

Anyway, we just received a shipment of live chicks last weeks. The post office will usually call us to come and get them so the carrier doesn't have to listen to "peep peep peep" all day.

Day-old poultry are mailable, as are bees and baby alligators! I wonder what the reasoning is behind the snake ban?

Look up the lacey law for usps it looks like snakes are about the only thing you can't send thruogh the post office.
You can also use airbourn express (dhl)to ship snakes.
Bryan

I've only shipped snakes once~ but I did it legally~ with Fed-Ex knowing what I was shipping. It cost me $48 to ship from California to Texas. Will be cheaper next time~ Fed_ex give discounts for ~ making your label on-line (Free of charge to you) for using your credit card to pay~ and after I used the service to ship my first snakes last month I spoke with my service rep who sent me an agreement to get an addtional 35% off overnight shipping anytime I print my own label.

Hear is how:

1. Open a Fed-Ex account. Wait at least 24 hours for account to activate
https://www.fedex.com/signup/oes?enrollmentid=f037262224
2. Prepare a shipping box. Just like one to ship a reptile. In deli cup, or whatever you would put the snake in, put a post it note that says something like “Live harmless reptile goes here” Seal up the box just like you would to send it.
3. Fill out this form
http://fedex.com/us/services/pdf/PKG_Services_Application.pdf?link=4
4. Put the form and the packing box into a larger box to ship them to the address on the bottom of the form.
5. NOW call an account Rep. You'll have to call Fed-Ex main # (on the web site) and ask who YOUR local rep is. Mine just connected me to package testing, so you may be able to call them direct package testing directly~ but it would be a good idea to begin building a freindly exchange with your rep now (for those discounts later). Either way~ you need to speak to the package testing facility and tell them you need the acct # you should use to send a package to the testing lab so that THEY pay for shipping.
6. Ship them the box. Wait. About a week.
7. Get box back ~Approved I hope, mine was first time. My box and materials were from “Scales”:
http://www.exoticlizards.com/miscellaneous-reptile-supplies.html
8. Call account rep, explain that you need the Waiver to ship reptiles. If he/she seems confused, request that they contact James Brown in Legal. Fax the account rep a copy of your approval notice. (He/she needs to send it to James Brown)
9. Wait some more. Couple days, not long. Account Rep SHOULD FAX or E-mail you a copy of a Waiver letter to your BUSINESS name. (If not, call your Rep and inquire about the Waiver) Sign and FAX back. Try not to worry about the Business to Business part. Most of us have decided to interpret that as “Home Based Business” and my account Rep knows I live in a residential neighborhood and am a Home Based Business. When you ship something, just ask the receiver for a name of a “Business” if they should ever choose to become a home based business and send the package to the business name “C/O” whomever is purchasing the animal.
10. Wait a couple more days, you should get your signed and completed waiver back from Fed-Ex very shortly.
11. You should call your rep before you ship your first box so he can set you up for discounts for using a MasterCard and printing labels on your PC (You don’t get the discounts unless you ask specifically.)

I got my cert to ship back in Feb. Shipped snakes for the first time last month. My account rep had changed in the 5 months between~ but they were still super helpfull.

Good Luck! Hope that helps!
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Cheryl Marchek
AKA JM
Check out my website at:
The Red Dragons Den

Thanks that was incredibly helpful!!!

nice walkthrough !

Very much appreciated .
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3.9 Ball Pythons
1.1 Thayeri Kings
0.0.1 Viper Boa
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