UPS shipping Boxes

Packages containing live animals must be prepared in accordance with the requirements as specifically stated herein. Packages containing live animals must provide for the basic humane care and safety of the animal during transportation. Any package containing a live animal shall be considered a perishable commodity and will be accepted for transportation solely at the shipper´s risk for any damage or loss arising from the perishable nature of the item. UPS shall not be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages.

In the event a package containing a prohibited item is found en route or in the UPS system, that package will be stopped at the location or UPS facility of the discovery. UPS reserves the right to dispose of the package.

Internal Packaging and Other Considerations: Internal packaging materials must be used based on the characteristics of the animal, taking into consideration the necessary humane care for the animal while in transportation. Lizards and geckos should be individually contained in bags constructed of breathable material, such as burlap. Insects should be contained in individual primary containers such as plastic jars with ventilation. Fish must be double bagged in strong plastic bags with a minimum thickness of 4 mils. Each primary bag should be approximately one third full of water with the remainder filled with oxygen.

Package Testing: Any packaging used or developed to transport animals should be submitted to an International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) certified package testing laboratory for pre-shipment testing in accordance with ISTA Procedure 3A before being offered for transportation.

Additional Considerations: Additional components such as food, moisture, and temperature controls should be added as necessary to provide a safe environment during transportation. Additional dunnage should be added to prevent movement of the primary containers or receptacles within the outer box.

Bees that are shipped within the traditional wooden crate with wire mesh must be enclosed in a corrugated sleeve. This sleeve must include a border of a minimum of 2 inches past each edge of the container (See diagram below). This is required to prevent safety hazards from protruding wires from the mesh. Any package other than described herein must be tested in accordance with the Package Testing standards described above.

The use of liquid food supplies is strictly prohibited (i.e.: sugar water and syrup solution). If a food supply is necessary it must be "hard candy" type substitute (i.e.: candy board or fondant) that will not leak or escape from the package.

This is a comprehensive list of live animals accepted for transportation. Shippers are prohibited from shipping any animal not listed here, and all other live animals will not be accepted for transportation. The following live animals are accepted for transportation unless poisonous, venomous, and/or a Threatened or Endangered Species.

• Amphibians (All): Examples: frogs, salamanders, toads
• Crustaceans (All): Examples: crabs, crawfish, lobsters, shrimp
• Fish (All)
• Insects (Limited to beneficial insects only): Examples: bees, butterflies, crickets, lady bugs
• Mollusks (All): Examples: clams, mussels, snails
• Reptiles (Limited to the following):
  - Lizards: Examples: chameleons, geckos, iguanas, monitors, flying dragons
  - Turtles: freshwater turtles (except: snapping turtles), land tortoises, sea turtles
• Worms (All)

Live Animals that are prohibited from being shipped and are not accepted for transportation include, but are not limited to:

• Any poisonous, venomous or threatening animal
• Any Threatened or Endangered species
• Arachnids (All): Examples: mites, scorpions, spiders, ticks
• Birds (All)
• Crocodiles (All): Examples: alligators, caimans, gavials
• Mammals (All)
• Obnoxious Insects: Examples: flies, locusts, mosquitoes, roaches, termites, weevils
• Snakes (All): venomous and non-venomous
  

Next Steps