Shipping reptiles

[reptilez]

I was just wondering if any one has every shipped reptiles to a costomer. Is there anything special i would have to do; like special currior company so they dont just 'toss' my box in the truck? Any info will help about shipping reptiles!

[Lisa]

To the best of my knowledge you can only ship via live air cargo in Canada. All the regular courier companies will refuse your shipment.

Packing is also an issue.

[reptilez]

What do you put your reptiles in when your sending them? I called and they said something about a specail lizard cenal??

[Mardy]

Foam fish boxes from almost any pet store are the best. Heat packs and a pillow case and your off.

Mardy

[reptilez]

What do u mean as a heat pack?? And do i *NEED* one? Also i was tailing to someone and they said something about me giving them me credit card number if want to send the package collect(he pays the charges when he gets the package). whats up with that??

Also how much does that foam fish box cost?

[Lisa]

A heat pack is one of those heat packets that give off heat for about 8 hours or so. You may or may not need one depending on what you are shipping. As for shipping collect if you ship with air canada you can only ship prepaid. I don't know about west jet.
I don't know what a foam box will cost you.

also if you ship internationally you are subject to other rules and regulation such as construction of the box (wood), handles, etc.

[reptilez]

What do u mean i can only ship pre-paid??.....Like i can only ship it if i pay upfront??

I'm shipping beardies.

[Steeve B]

This is what you need to ship reptiles in winter, summer I often just ship in plastic bin without any problems.
Other then this it’s the transport company’s responsibility, just don’t believe about the heated room, theirs no such thing at air Canada.


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[reptilez]

why...Do they say that they have a heated room? What is a good way of keeping the BDs worm till they arive at there destination??

[Steeve B]

I don’t know why they say they have a heated room, but last winter when I received my lace monitors from Germany, I insisted on seeing where my monitors where kept, and believe me its not a heated room, they where on a pallet on concrete flood in a corner of the warehouse. When I insisted to see, before I sign any release document, I was told by the guy, if aim not happy with this next time he won’t take my reptiles.
So my advice to anyone is not to ship when it’s to cold or too hot, and use proper packing, like on my prior post.
And what ever you do, don’t use UPS they don’t care about animals. They never even called me when my lace monitors arrived, 4 extra hours on the floor because of them.

[reptilez]

how much does that heat pack cost??? Can i get something like that at any petstore? Does it have airholes, I cant seem to see any? Also what is the average price for shipping packages? How much was your monitor?

[damzookeeper]

When I ship I use a regular box but I cut styrophoam to fit the box all around the sides, bottom, and top. I put four corner holes for air flow in the top piece of styrophoam. I pack the beardie in a nice deli cup with lots of air holes and put paper towel scrumpled up for different hights in the deli cup incase the baby wants to get away from the heat. The heat pack goes under the deli and then I used newspaper to pack everything in place in the box so the deli cup will not move around in transport. Cut 4 small holes in each corner of the box same possitions of the ones in the styrophoam. I then tape up the box. Oh and make sure to put arrows so they know which side is up. I put fragile stickers on the sides and the top of the box and also mark on the box "Live Baby Lizard". I use west jet for shipping. I have never used c.o.d. I always get the money for shipping and box fee (cost of heat pack and styrophoam) with the purchase of the animals. West jet will give you an estimate with box size and weight. Or if it is small they will give you a flat rate. It is pretty simple. You go to cargo about a half hour before the flight leaves and sign a couple papers to make sure you aren't sending a bomb or something and then your beardies will be on their way. ;)
Hope I covered everything for you.

[Steeve B]

I just want to add, I still do business with both of the above companies, I just don’t ship when to cold, and never relay on UPS for animals.
I think knowing there weakness’ make us stronger.

Theirs no air hole in these box, not needed to ship world wide 24h max. As for heat packs I think your pet store can help you with this.
As for shipping charges only your transporters can give you accurate information.
One box will go from Montreal to Toronto via air Canada for about $85 apr

[reptilez]

Do you get the heater back?? What does apr stand for??

[damzookeeper]

I found west jet cheaper for shipping and since Air canada doesn't really have a heated room like they say, why pay more for it. lol. I was refered to west jet over air canada from a couple great breeders so that is what I use. Cost varries where you want to send. When you call you will need the air port it will be leaving from and the one it will be arriving at. You will also need the persons full address and phone number for the way bill.

[damzookeeper]

the heat pack only lasts 8-24 hours. It's no good after. They are only a couple bucks usually.

[reptilez]

Is there such thing as sending the package Collaect(he pays for it when it gets to him). If so, how does it work??

[damzookeeper]

I think it is possible with west jet. They did ask me if it was c.o.d or if I was going to pay at the airline when I shipped out. I didn't use the c.o.d. They may want your credit card incase the other guys doesn't pay. You can always ask about this. Personally I wouldn't go this way. I would ask they guy to send the shipping money and pay for shipping that way. But it is up to you.

[Steeve B]

APPROXIMATLY sorry I try to cut corners, doesn’t help when you can’t spell Wright!

[Mardy]

The heat packs can be gotten at Canadian Tire in there hunting/fishing section and sell a couple kinds. As for c.o.d. with air canada they do require you to give a credit card incase no body shows up. And they send the animals back to you at your expence. Now what they would do if the client shows up but no money???

MArdy

Mardy

[reptilez]

Where would i get styrofaom to help insulate the box? and how would i get the styrofoam to stay in place so it doesnt move around?

[damzookeeper]

I get it from a hardware store and cut it so that it fits in tight, it doesn't move around if it goes in tight. If you are worried you can glue it in. But if you do that I would wait 24 hours before puting a herp inside because of the smell. But I have never had to glue the styrophoam. :D

[reptilez]

Thanx for all your help guys....Its my first time doing it and i dont want my beardies to be hurt while being shipped.
thanx agian,
-Reptilez

[Linds]

In milder weather you may not want to use heat packs... if it is in between you can use a hot water bottle insulated in several layers of newspaper so the heat lasts longer. I know we've had several days here at 30 degrees (C) so far... definitely too hot for heat packs :firestart Both WestJet and AC will ship collect. WestJet has a flat rate of $56 for anywhere in Canada, AC prices vary depending on location and weight. As everyone's already mentioned, one of the most important packaging details is that your box is well insulated, in both hot and cold weather. This way there are no sudden temperature changes for the animals to undergo... and your animals will have an easier time dealing with excessively warm or cool temps outside of their box. To make sure everything doesn't get jumbled around, pack any empty space in the shipping box with crumpled up newspaper. This will keep everything in its proper place. Make sure the exterior of your box is well marked with the person's contact information, contents of box (ie- LIVE <u>HARMLESS</u> LIZARD), and handling instructions (ie- this side up, fragile, temperature it should be kept at, etc). Hope this helped :)

[reptilez]

Where my Lizards are being kept.....Will it be hot or cold?? or does it all depend on what the temp is outside?? How cold should it be when i use a heat pad??

[damzookeeper]

The temp. where the beardies are will depend on the temp outside, yes. If you are planing on shipping in the next week, with the weather we are having right now I would say use a heat pack. Beardies like it quite warm anyway. But you can, and should, always check the weather network to be sertain of the temp. on the day you will be sending for your area and the recievers. This will also help you decide weather you need one or not.

[Steve]

Hey
The beardies are coming to me in Ottawa. They are coming from TO. They won't be shipped till mid march I beleive but this has to be negotiated between me and the shipper. I have done this before but the shipper hasn't. SOrry, I tried to explain it to him but I'm bad at giving directions. Thanks alot for your help guys in explaineng it to him.

[reptilez]

I was just checking out how other ppl do it and keep there lizards worm. I understand now.
Thanx everyone,
-Reptilez