Frequently Asked Questions

Permitted: Non-venomous reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, fish, and corals within the United States. Dry goods such as food, bedding, cages, and housing materials are also allowed.

Prohibited: Illegal drugs, batteries, liquor, aerosols, firearms/ammunition, fireworks, explosives, mammals (dogs, cats, etc.), birds, dry ice, and venomous reptiles.

Pythons or boas larger than 4 inches in diameter or 8 feet in length cannot be shipped via standard service. Very large, heavy, or powerful animals require wooden crates and specialized freight services such as Delta Air Cargo.

If you're uncertain whether your animal meets the size requirements, contact customer service for guidance.

Available options:

• Next Day Air
• 2nd Day Air
• 3 Day Select
• Ground (business addresses only)

Critical requirement: All live shipments must be sent via Next Day Air. Failure to use Next Day Air for live animals voids all insurance coverage.

All live animals must be shipped UPS Next Day Air, Monday through Thursday only. Friday shipments would arrive on Monday, which violates live animal shipping regulations. Weekend shipments are not permitted.

All shipping boxes must meet these requirements:

• New or like-new cardboard with interior foam insulation
• Foam must be tight-fitting, minimum ¾ inch thick, covering all six interior surfaces
• No markings indicating dangerous or illegal contents
• Large enough to accommodate the deli cup or cloth bag, packing material, temperature regulation packs, and insulation

Approved boxes: White insulated boxes (with red or green lettering), or plain brown boxes rated at minimum 275 lb burst strength.

Prohibited: USPS Priority/Express Mail boxes, Amazon boxes, UPS-branded boxes, and FedEx-branded boxes are NOT allowed for live shipments. Using prohibited boxes may result in package refusal, endangering animals and your account status. Using non-approved boxes nullifies all insurance coverage.

Follow the daytime HIGH temperature at both origin and destination:

Important: If either the origin or destination temperature is 70°F or higher, do NOT use a heat pack. Shipping outside these guidelines voids insurance.

Amphibians and cooler/moist climate species require different temperature thresholds. Follow the daytime HIGH temperature:

If you use your own supplies, they must meet or exceed these standards:

• New or like-new cardboard box, minimum 275 lbs burst strength
• No markings indicating hazardous, dangerous, or illegal contents
• Tight-fitting insulation, minimum ¾ inch thick, covering all six interior surfaces
• “Triple container” system: deli cup or cloth bag, inside foam container, inside cardboard box
• Box sealed adequately with all labels fully legible
• Must include proper Lacey Act/IATA labeling

Not allowed: USPS Priority/Express Mail boxes are too thin and do not meet UPS box standards. Amazon boxes are also typically too thin. Using non-approved boxes nullifies all insurance coverage.

You may be breaking the law if you ship live species that are illegal, invasive, or restricted by state or local authorities. Species legality varies significantly by state, and penalties can be severe.

Before shipping, research your destination's regulations:

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service regional offices
• USDA service locator
• USDA Invasive Species Information Center
• Your destination state's Fish & Wildlife department

It is your responsibility to verify legality before shipping any live animal.

The general public has a right to live their lives without encountering a reptile that's escaped from improper packaging. Each incident with escaped or dead animals during shipping reflects poorly on all reptile hobbyists and furthers legislative efforts to ban reptile ownership entirely. Proper packaging protects the animal, the recipient, and the entire hobby.

As the shipper, you are responsible for packaging your animal adequately for all potential temperature extremes and handling conditions during transit.

DO NOT OVERUSE HEAT PACKS! Heat packs are designed to prevent the package from getting cold — they should not be used to actively warm the box.

6 critical heat pack rules:

1. Never allow direct contact between a heat pack and the animal container
2. Always place crumpled newspaper between the heat pack and the animal
3. Never place the heat pack under the animal container (high DOA likelihood)
4. Tape the heat pack securely to the underside of the styrofoam lid — do NOT cover the red stripe with tape
5. Non-compliance with these rules invalidates live arrival insurance
6. Recommended minimum box size when using heat packs: 12×9×6 inches

Use only 40-hour or 72-hour heat packs. Do not use 12–24 hour hand or foot warmers from retail stores — these peak at 180°F and will endanger your animal.

Process:

1. Pre-start the heat pack two hours before shipping
2. Shake well and wrap in a folded towel
3. Allow it to generate solid heat before sealing in the box
4. Tape to the underside of the top insulation panel
5. Never cover the perforated red line — it must face the box interior

Usage guidelines:

• Use only one pack per box (except the largest 30×16×10 size, which may use two if needed)
• Two packs in smaller boxes cause dangerous overheating
• Multiple packs consume oxygen, which can be fatal
• New packs feel soft and powdery; hard or stiff packs are compromised and should not be used

Insurance-voiding violations:

• Using hand/foot warmers or packs under 40 hours
• Using multiple packs in boxes smaller than the #5 size
• Lack of ventilation (four ¼-inch holes required, two per end)
• Placing heat pack at box bottom or in direct contact with the animal
• Covering the red stripe with tape

Process:

1. Soak in water for a minimum of 15 minutes until fully saturated
2. Freeze overnight with the plastic side down (must be fully frozen)
3. Do not place in box until ready for pickup/drop-off to preserve the freeze
4. Wrap in newspaper to absorb condensation
5. Tape to the underside of the top insulation panel
6. Ensure crumpled newspaper separates the pack from the animal container

Note: Dry ice shipping is prohibited.

Phase packs save animals' lives by maintaining consistent internal temperatures throughout transit. They are recommended for use with every shipment.

Advantages:

• Safe for all shipments — reptiles and amphibians alike
• Maintain steady, stable temperatures
• No shelf life or expiration date
• Fully reusable
• Enable shipping during difficult temperature conditions
• Extremely difficult to misuse

How they work: Phase packs maintain a specific temperature range (Phase 24 = 75°F, Phase 22 = 72°F). When box air rises above the phase temperature, the pack absorbs heat (transitions from solid to liquid). When box air drops below, the pack releases heat (transitions from liquid to solid), keeping the temperature stable.

Applications:

• Safe temperature ranges: Place one or more phase packs to stabilize any fluctuations
• Warm-to-cold shipping: Pre-cool the phase pack in a refrigerator until solid/opaque. Place between heat pack and animal to absorb excess beginning heat and release it at the cooler destination
• Cold-to-warm shipping: Warm the phase pack in warm (not boiling) water until liquid/clear. Place between cold pack and animal to shield from cold initially and help cool at the warm destination

Tips: Once the pack is fully solid or fully liquid, stop conditioning. Seal hard-edged solid packs in a ziplock bag to prevent leaks. Multiple packs are effective in larger boxes.

Yes — a step-by-step video walkthrough of the packing process is available. Note that the video includes the use of a heat pack in the demonstration. Many packages do not need a heat pack — always check the temperature guidelines for your origin and destination before deciding whether to include one.

Step 1: Gather supplies. You'll need an insulated box, zip tie, deli cup or cloth bag, heat/cold pack (if needed), label envelope, and interior LIVE REPTILE label.

Step 2: Prepare temperature packs. Start your heat pack two hours before shipping, or freeze cold packs overnight. All supplies must meet approved shipping standards.

Step 3: Prepare the box. Insert foam panels on bottom and sides. Punch four ¼-inch ventilation holes with a Phillips screwdriver on opposing sides — go through both the cardboard and foam before adding any contents.

Step 4: Create a nest. Line the bottom and sides with crumpled newspaper so the deli cup or bag rests securely. Check temperature guidelines — most shipments don't need a heat pack.

Step 5: Prepare the container. Inspect the cup or bag for cracks or holes. Label with species and sex using a permanent marker.

Step 6: Inspect the animal. Ship only healthy animals with good body weight. Do not ship during a shed cycle or within one week of feeding (to prevent regurgitation). No venomous reptiles or mammals are allowed.

Step 7: Place the animal in the container. Leave room for movement. Use packing material as cushion and waste absorbent. For bags, seal with a zip tie for total security. For cups, tape completely around the rim without covering the air holes.

Step 8: Place the container in the box. Nestle into the nesting material without room for jostling. Add the top foam panel with heat/cold pack (if needed) taped face-down. Place paperwork on the foam — a sales receipt or packing list should be the first thing visible when the box is opened.

Step 9: Label per Lacey Act. Mark the outside of the package with a complete list of animals inside, including quantities, common names, and scientific names. An IATA label must also be included.

Step 10: Seal and ship. Enter package info, purchase a label, and print. Drop off at a UPS Store (recommended) or arrange a pickup. Track using your UPS tracking number.

Use a deli cup for small, delicate animals. The more delicate the animal, the more it needs the structural protection of a deli cup. Suitable for geckos, small lizards (under 1″ × 16″), frogs, and other delicate creatures.

Use a cloth bag for larger reptiles with more size and weight.

Mixed shipments: When shipping a large and small animal in the same box, place the smaller animal in a deli cup — the structural support helps prevent accidental crushing by the larger animal.

All kits include ¾-inch foam panels on all six sides. To determine interior space, subtract approximately 1.5 inches from each box dimension. For example, a 12×9×6 box has roughly 10.5 × 7.5 × 4.5 inches of interior space.

Allow padding space on all sides of the animal container. Choose the smallest box that fits your animal safely — larger boxes cost more to ship. Consider “test packing” in a box or tub at home to get an idea of how much space you actually need.

Beyond the UPS shipping label, you must mark the package contents per the Federal Lacey Act and state regulations:

• Include “Wildlife — Live Harmless Animals” clearly visible
• List all species by both scientific and common names
• Include quantities of each species
• Attach an IATA label with the appropriate Live Animal Indicator checked

Interior paperwork: Place a sales receipt or packing list on top of the foam insulation inside the box — it should be the first thing visible when the box is opened. Include the species and quantities of harmless reptiles.

Failure to label your live shipments accurately and completely may result in delay, inspection, confiscation, and/or monetary fines. Florida and California are especially vigilant. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure compliance.

For paper labels, cover with clear tape to prevent tears and weather damage. Do not use PO Boxes in the address — UPS does not deliver to PO Boxes. Contact individual state Fish & Wildlife offices for any additional requirements regarding labeling, health certificates, permits, or restrictions.

All supplies sold through approved reptile shipping services are specifically certified by the UPS Packaging Lab and meet established reptile-shipping standards. Using these kits and supplies per their included directions ensures safe, reliable shipping and maintains your insurance eligibility.

If you use your own supplies, they must meet or exceed these standards:

• Cardboard box: New or like-new condition, minimum 275 lbs burst strength
• No markings: Cannot indicate dangerous or illegal contents — no alcohol boxes, no warning or hazardous material markings/stickers
• Insulation lining: Tight-fitting, minimum ¾ inch thick, covering all six interior surfaces (including top and bottom)
• Triple container system: Deli cup or cloth bag, inside insulating foam container, inside cardboard box
• Sealing: Box must be sealed adequately with all labels fully legible
• Lacey Act labeling: Required on every live shipment
• Heat/cold packs: Must follow approved temperature regulation standards

Prohibited: USPS Priority/Express Mail boxes and many Amazon boxes are too thin and do not meet standards. Using a thin cardboard box or any of these prohibited boxes nullifies all insurance coverage. If you have any doubts, use approved shipping supplies.

Accurate label information prevents unexpected UPS fees from being passed to you after shipment.

Address accuracy: Don't use PO Boxes — UPS won't deliver to them. Double-check every address detail: “3911 Norwood Drive” is not the same as “391 Norwood Drive,” “3913 Norwood Drive,” or “3911 Norwood Avenue.” Zip codes matter too — 80123 is not the same as 80128. Each incorrect variation incurs address correction fees. If you discover a wrong address after UPS handoff, contact support immediately — you may still incur a fee, but early notification allows a label change.

Dimensional weight: UPS measures packages with lasers. Measurements larger than what you stated will incur additional fees. Measure the outside of your sealed box, round up to the nearest inch, and enter accurately. Measure twice, double-check, then ship.

Weight accuracy: Use a standard scale and round up fractions to the next pound. Overestimating won't incur penalties but will cost slightly more — accurate measurements optimize your pricing.

Contact info: Provide accurate email and phone so critical tracking updates reach you if issues arise.

Lacey Act/IATA labels are available as pre-printed stickers or as a downloadable PDF during checkout. Print and fasten the label to the shipping box in a clearly visible location without obstructing the UPS shipping label.

The label includes a UPS reference note that will answer UPS employees' questions about your live shipment. This helps ensure smooth acceptance at drop-off locations.

The Lacey Act is a federal law enacted in 1900 by President McKinley to protect wildlife. In 1969, it was expanded to include mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians, and reptiles.

Key protections:

• Protects wildlife and plants from illegal trade
• Works in conjunction with federal, state, and foreign wildlife laws
• Prohibits falsification of shipping documents (criminal offense)
• Prohibits improper marking of shipments (civil penalties)
• Administered by the Departments of Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture

Example: If you ship snakes to Hawaii, you are not only breaking Hawaiian state law — you will also violate the Lacey Act at the federal level, and will be subject to penalties from both jurisdictions.

Violations can result in confiscation of animals, significant fines, and jail time.

Yes, a Lacey Act/IATA label is required on every live shipment.

IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards mandate that labels with an image representing reptiles or aquatic animals must be included on every live animal shipment. You must check or circle the appropriate Live Animal Indicator on the label.

To meet the Lacey Act labeling requirement, you must also list your species by quantity in both scientific and common names.

Labels are available as pre-printed stickers or as downloadable PDFs during checkout.

Take responsibility. Do your part. Pack your reptile properly. Make sure it reaches its destination safely. It's good for the reptile, the recipient, and you. Every improperly packaged shipment that results in an escaped or deceased animal reflects poorly on all reptile hobbyists and fuels efforts to ban reptile ownership entirely.

No. UPS does not offer insurance specifically for live animals. Specialized live arrival insurance is available through reptile shipping services when all shipping standards, temperature guidelines, packaging requirements, and labeling protocols are followed exactly. Non-compliance with any standard voids coverage entirely.

To maintain valid live arrival insurance coverage, you must comply with all of the following:

• Ship via Next Day Air only
• Ship Monday through Thursday only
• Follow all temperature guidelines for your species type
• Use approved shipping boxes that meet all box standards
• Follow all heat pack and cold pack protocols exactly
• Include proper Lacey Act/IATA labeling
• Provide accurate weight, dimensions, and address information

Failure to comply with any of these requirements voids coverage entirely.

Provide accurate package weight and dimensions at the time of label purchase. Measure the outside of your sealed box, round up to the nearest inch, and weigh accurately rounding up to the next full pound. Inaccurate information results in post-shipment charges billed to your credit card when UPS measures the actual package.

Weight or dimension discrepancies between your booking information and the actual shipment measurements trigger additional charges. These are billed after dispatch when UPS verifies the package. Always measure and weigh your sealed package accurately before purchasing a label.

• Next Day Air: Delivery next business day (Monday–Thursday shipments)
• 2nd Day Air: Two business days
• 3 Day Select: Three business days

Remember: live animals must always be sent via Next Day Air, shipped Monday through Thursday only.

Accurate specifications ensure proper label generation, correct pricing, and appropriate UPS handling. Discrepancies between stated and actual measurements trigger post-shipment charges. Measure the outside of your sealed box and round up to the nearest inch. Weigh the complete package and round up to the next full pound.