Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just wanted to here some different thoughts and experiences concerning the shipping of reptiles.

Who knows how to ship legaly overnight other than Delta Dash?

We need a currier that will allow nonvenomous reptiles and amphibians to be shipped inside the US for a resonable price. It is my understanding that none of these curriers will do that (knowingly) Fed Ex, UPS, US Post Office, and DHL
What happened to the good ole days (about 4 years ago) when you could easily ship through Airborne Express and you were legal as long as you put the genus name on the side and listed it as harmless- and the animal being nonvenomous ofcourse.

I can see the herpetoculture society having some real problems in the future- prices are going to get higher and higher cutting our profits even more. You can also bet that if you are just not listing the name or telling the currier what is in the package that will end soon also- I can see a future where they will visually inspect the boxes, it just takes one terrorist or too many people getting caught shipping things they shouldn't (like reptiles) through the mail.
We need a legal currier that will knowingly transport our harmless herps. If we keep cheating the system this will only hurt us- shipping is becoming more and more common and as it does I am sure people will be caught- making herpetoculture look bad, and fueling PETA and the Humane Societie's crusade against herps.
Thanks for reading and posting
Jered
JnEReptiles@sbcglobal.net

You must be verified by them, in order to ship llive non-venomous reptiles.
The fisrt thing you have to do is set up an account with FedEx, this is free and can be completed through their website. Once you have an account, you will be assigned an account representative. Contact your representative and let them know what you are attempting to do. Your representive will forward you the paperwork and request that you forward the type of box and contents you will be using to ship live reptiles for testing. when you send the box, include the cushioning and bag or deli cup you plan to use and pack it just as you would should you have sent them a reptile.
Once your packaging meets approval, you will be sent a finalized copy of your paperwork and a waiver allowing you to ship live non-venomous reptiles.
Remember, the first step is to create your account and contact your account representative, as most of the staff at local offices will be unaware of the wiaver process...

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Thanks Jeff,

Isn't there some other requirements about marking the box a certain way to avoid a Lacey violation? Seems I sort of remember reading about some kind of package marking requirement.

I agree. Doing it right is in our best interests.

Bob.

To be in compliance with the Lacey act, you must label the exterior of the box indicating the number of specimens, preferably by sex ratio, along with the common and scientific name/s..

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

The staff at local offices definately do not know about FedEx shipping reptiles. One time when I went to pick up a shipment of two ratsnake hatchlings,the lady behind the counter looked at me funny and stepped into a back room. There was a flurry, then, the "head of security for the facility" came out to inform me that FedEx will ship, dogs, horses, even pandas, but they do not ship reptiles, and my box was not verified, whatever that meant.

I wasn't about to argue with the guy, so I asked him if he'd like me to open the box so that he could check the contents? (By now the three ladies who work the counter were peeking out of the back room while making squealing sounds). I was immediately on my way with my closed box.

The breeder explained about how to get a FedEx account to ship reptiles. From what he said, it takes about six months to get approval from your representative. Now when I am having a snake shipped FedEx, I ask the person shipping it to email me proof of a reptile account. Should I be challenged again, I'll be able to educate the FedEx employee.

rgds,
althea

As far awy as you can. Its the WORST place to ship animals. I've known MANY employees that say straight up that boxes are thrown around regularly.
I had a tortoise shipped to me once. The box BLATANTLY said "This side up" but of course it was ignored and the tort was shipped on its side. Luckily, he burrowed down to right himself again...

Another part of the problem is that many "thinking outside the box" solutions would violate some law or regulation. I'd bet that there are animal-loving retirees who travel a great deal who would be willing to work some reptile transportation into their schedule if they could be reimbursed and given enough extra to have a little extra spending money. They wouldn't necessarily be in it for profit as much as they'd just enjoy having someone else offset some of their costs for vacations that they'd like to take anyway.

Unfortunately, if someone tried to do that, they'd be swamped under regulations. Undoubtedly, one reason that the regular transportation companies are less willing to transport reptiles is due to ever-increasing regulations. In addition to the regulations that the government imposes, there are legal liabilities that would make any kind of animal transportation more risk than it's worth. Some of the licensing and regulating would even come from people who claim that they'd like to see a solution to the problem. We all want solutions, but we all want control as well. The bureaucracy that we build to give the illusion of control ends up stifling the development of solutions.

Bill

Thanks for all the good input
It is my understanding that as long as you put the genus and number of species on the outside of the box you are covered (given it is not endangered, threatened, or venomous)

You would also want to include the species and sub-species, if applicable, while adding the common name will help as well..

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947