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Shippers...advice needed, please.

LBoz

LBoz

Original Curmudgeon
As you know, I own a fish site and we have lots of shippers. Suddenly they're in a panic over some new USPS rules and regs, as well as new FedEx rules? How do you shippers get around this? I shipped a lot last year but hardly nothing this year so I've not been to the PO with shipments for a bit. I noticed today that Dean's box said "perishable, handle with care" only, but no mention of live animals inside. Is this the loophole around the rules?

Here's the statement via fedex that's causing the ruckus:

http://www.fedex.com/us/services/terms/us.html#liveanimals

and here's the thread if anyone can shed some light on the issue. Many thanks....

http://www.petfish.net/forum/index.php/topic,70212.new.html#new
 
If approved by FedEx, we may accept non-venomous reptiles, amphibians, live/tropical fish and beneficial insects on an exception basis under the following conditions:


Shipments must be from a business to a business (from a breeder to a pet store, for example).
The shipper must have its packaging tested and pre-approved by FedEx Packaging Design and Development for the type of animal being shipped. Call 1.800.633.7019 for assistance. It is the responsibility of the shipper to adequately package shipments for all temperature extremes and handling conditions.

I think most reptile people have gone through the process of becoming a Certified Reptile Shipper with Fed Ex. It is not difficult and only takes a week or two. I get the impression from the above statement that the same could be done for fish. I'd call the phone number above and explain the situation to them and see what they say.
 
USPS has never allowed snake shipping, it's flat out illegal.

The labeling contents issue is part of the Federal Lacey Act. Per the Lacey Act, live animal shipments must be labeled with the quantity, scientific and common names of the animals being shipped. This isn't new and applies to any courier.

The work around for the business to business shipping (which isn't new either) is simply labeling it with a made up home business name. Like "Lori's Happy Herps" or some other such thing, attention to the buyer. I've never actually had a package stopped because I haven't had a business listed (I don't usually worry about it unless the person actually has a business name). With how common home businesses are now a days, how can they prove that it's not actually a business at the residence?

On the link you provided, it tells you where to call to become certified to ship live animals. First step though is setting up an account and getting in contact with your rep.
 
I was wondering how long it took to become certified. Is there a fee? I mentioned that in the thread. Thanks, Wade. I didn't even see that part that you posted.

Does anyone happen to ship priority mail? Fishkeepers take advantage of the spring and fall months by shipping priority with breather bags. I have never once had an issue at the PO, but my neighbor gets hassled every single time he tries to ship. I doubt that it's possible to ship a snake priority, though.
 
From the Lacey Act:
It is unlawful for any person to import, export, or transport in interstate commerce any container or package containing any fish or wildlife unless the container or package has previously been plainly marked, labeled, or tagged in accordance with the regulations issued pursuant to paragraph (2) of section 3376(a) of this title.
Click to expand...

I put a small inconspicuous label on any box I ship that says "Pantheropsis guttatus" (corn snake) and then the amount of snakes. Better safe than sorry!
 
TripleMoonsExotic said:
USPS has never allowed snake shipping, it's flat out illegal.

The labeling contents issue is part of the Federal Lacey Act. Per the Lacey Act, live animal shipments must be labeled with the quantity, scientific and common names of the animals being shipped. This isn't new and applies to any courier.

The work around for the business to business shipping (which isn't new either) is simply labeling it with a made up home business name. Like "Lori's Happy Herps" or some other such thing, attention to the buyer. I've never actually had a package stopped because I haven't had a business listed (I don't usually worry about it unless the person actually has a business name). With how common home businesses are now a days, how can they prove that it's not actually a business at the residence?

On the link you provided, it tells you where to call to become certified to ship live animals. First step though is setting up an account and getting in contact with your rep.
Click to expand...
TME, thanks for your post. I didn't see it when I posted to Wade. Do you mind if I repost this to the OP on my site?
 
shed'n my skin said:
From the Lacey Act:


I put a small inconspicuous label on any box I ship that says "Pantheropsis guttatus" (corn snake) and then the amount of snakes. Better safe than sorry!
Click to expand...

Jen, I must be on a time delay as I missed this as well. That's a great idea. Does it need to be readable without the aid of a magnifying glass??
 
LOL I use the same labels you would put on a file folder.
If anybody can decipher my handwriting it's readable ;) While I don't want to break any laws, I don't want a box emblazanoed with "LIVE SNAKES' where it will catch just anybody's eye!
However I have gotten lots of shipments with no such label and to the best of my knowledge none of the shippers has ever gotten in trouble. I do remember the shipments from Serpenco had the label though.
 
Oh I know! I use those labels too, but I would write "LIVE FISH" all over the box in red on the labels and then I would use a yellow highligher on them. The only time I ever had a question was when it was over 90F and the girl said they'd be on the dock where it was hot. I had cold packs so I wasn't concerned so neither was she. Like I mentioned, I've only shipped once this summer and had no problems, but that was in early June. I'm shipping out this week, so I guess we'll see what happens.
 
You mentioned priority mail. You can send lots of stuff through the mail, but not snakes. That is against the law.
 
That's what I figured, Wade. I send fish priority all the time because people don't want to pay the express costs. Fortunately, I've only lost two catfish (both from the same shipment) out of the hundreds of boxes I've sent priority. At the same time, I only guarantee express delivery.
 
Can't you ship through Reptster now w/o being certified? And in my experience, two weeks to be certified is a pipe dream, it took two and a half months for me (though I had several incompetent reps along the way...)
 
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