Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know all these post get really annoying after a while but I know there are some folks out there that love to help. If I have a snake business with only internet sells I have a few questions. So shipping questions are who do I use to ship (DHL, UPS, FedEx), I don't have an airport around me to do stuff like Delta Dash or whatever that is. Also how do you pack your snakes for say real hot months or real cold months and stuff like that.

I am also curious as to what type of warranties folks have for their animals like if they arrive dead or sick. Any information that you think is important is great. I am just really curious and want to know as much as I can about this kinda stuff.

If it is easier to email me then just send me an email at msubigdawg@msn.com

Thanks a lot for any help you can give me.

Hi, I also saw your post below. You need to check your local laws on selling and keeping reptiles in your state for starters. As for sales tax you dont need to collect sales tax if you ship your product out of state. In state sales will need a sales tax certificate which you can get at your local state tax office. Then collect the appropriate sales tax and send it to your state. As for carriers I think alot of us are moving to Fed Ex now that you can get reptile certified. It is a process of talking to your local representative and telling them what you are breeding and shipping, the type of reptiles, and then sending your sample shipping box to the appropriate place for inspection and once approved they send you your notice of approval, get your account set up and activated, then you can ship with them without hiding the fact that you are shipping live reptiles. UPS DOES ship live harmless reptiles but states they will not ship live snakes. However if you talk with a local representative you can get approval for that if you are setting up a business account with them. The good thing about shipping with the airport is getting insurance on your animal. None of the ground carriers will guarantee live arrival and with fed ex you sign a waiver relieving them of dead on arrivals etc. So you need to guarantee the animal out of your own pocket if anything happens. As for guarantees I think most people definately carry a live arrival guarantee, if they dont theres no need to buy from them. Other guarantees vary with different businesses however if your looking to be in business any length of time you need to make people happy. And if that means paying for an item shipped back to you that someone didnt like upon opening the box then thats what you have to do, thats the price of doing business over the internet. But if you represent your animals well thats a rarity. I rarely get something sent back although I admit I have paid for a few returns myself. Thats about it. If you breed and sell healthy animals and back them up youll be alright. As for packing they need to be placed in an escape proof container either a bag or deli cup and secured in a styrofoam lined box. In the winter time heat packs are used they cost about 1-2 dollars. In the summer time you dont need anything really. Just dont ship in extreme weather. I try to stay away from anything over 95 degrees and under 32 degrees in the winter time. To avoid any disasters. Sometimes that means waiting to ship an animal but people are generally very tolerant of you waiting till appropriate weather arrives. Good Luck.