Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How does one go about shipping snakes next day air through a shipper like UPS or FedEx?

The reason I ask is because these outfits say they do not allow shipping live animals yet I see breeders on Kingsnake classified and other sites listing this method of shipping all the time. As I understand it you can become a "qualified shipper" through one of these vendors but it's hard for me to believe everyone on Kingsnake classifieds, and other sites, is a "qualified shipper".

My buddy wants one of my baby snakes this year but I'm not sure how to go about getting it to him. Any thoughts/ideas?
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Ken
BlackSwampSerpents@toast.net

Have you ever shipped a snake?You can get insulated boxes or make your own.I ship Fed Ex and put fragile,and this side up on the boxes.I wont tell them there is a reptile in the box.I have to ship a 2 pound tortiose out next week and im sweating bullets.Im hoping he stays calm and doesnt thrash around much.I hate sneaking around but what else can you do?Ive read it's against the law to ship live animals/reptiles except livestock.Could you imagine fed ex pulling up with a clydsdale?

It's not against the law, just against the companies' policies. Now it is illegal to ship snakes through the USPS, and as far as I know it also is illegal to ship without writing on the box what is inside (quantity, scientific and common names)

And I'm talking cb corn snakes here, I am sure there are many laws pertaining to venomous, threatened/endangered animals, wild caught, etc)

Traci

put on the box very fragile glassware and do not open until christmas. It'll get there..

i don't think that'd be a good idea to give the carrier the idea that the package will not have to be opened for quite awhile. (when exactly the opposite is true!)

Traci

If you jump through enough hoops Fed Ex will allow you to ship reptiles.

Check this out for info:

http://arbreptiles.com/shipping/index.shtml

Within the text it also has a link on how to become FedEx certified. Should tell you most of what you need to know.

You will find that shipping is sometimes more difficult and more trouble than producing and selling your babies was to begin with!

Good luck!
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