Shipping and packing herps...

[Nikki Gervais]

Hey everyone, here I go again with my complicated, never ending questions LOL...

I wanted to know how to ship herps, snakes for the most part but lizards too.

First about shipping...
I have heard many diff things and well my mind is boggled right bout now. Some say you can ship courier but don't guaruntee live delivery and some say don't because it's illegal. But noone has told me whether or not it is really safe. :( Which is all I really care about LOL. Others say only ship via air canada because it is legal and the herps are guarunteed to arive alive. But it costs so much and is not worth it when you are only buying a 20$ animal. So could anyone please give me the pros and the cons and opinions are very much so appreciated. :)

Also, how do you pack these guys? I had hoped someone would discus it but noone has so I'm bringing it up. How do you properly and safely packup the herp to be shipped? I have no idea how because I have never had to yet but since I should have numerous hatchlings and neonates next year I need to find out how to ASAP. I have heard you are supposed to put the snakes in a snake bag or a pillow case but what do you put in the box to keep them from smashing around? And where do I pick up that material?

Thanks everyone, looking forward to hearing your advice and opinions. :D

[reverendsterlin]

the legal aspect I have no clue. containers can be bought, a box with styrofoam insert, cool weather shipping adds a heat pack, hot weather a cool pack, both available at stores here in the US at stores like Walmart ect. best I can do.

[Bryan Self]

First shipping courier would not be illegal unless they are a goverment entity. Now it could be against there company policy. For example it is against UPS policy to ship snakes, but it is against the law to ship them with USPS. Now as far a guarentees I am a firm believer in air cargo shipments. There is less stress on the animal and are at sub optimal condition for a shorter period.
Good Luck

[Kurzix]

I purchased my snake from Bob Clark online, and it was shipped to me UPS so its not against UPS policy.. they even knew it was a snake. Now they will not ship venomous snakes, and they might have a problem with say an adult retic, but for a neonate BRB they no qualms.

[Bryan Self]

Here is UPS rules from there web site.
(n) UPS does not regularly provide service for packages containing live animals. UPS will only accept live animal shipments on an exception basis. Transportation for packages containing live animals is limited, must be prearranged, and as with all other packages, will be provided only according to the terms and conditions contained in the UPS Tariff.

So unless prior arangements are made they do not except live animals. So some of the bigger sellers can use it, but most smaller breeders are out of luck.