Fedex's official Live Harmless Reptile Packaging Guidelines

[Adam Chandler]

I've been talking with Fedex's packaging test lab in order to get some sort of guidelines for proper packaging for the test package in the certification process and I today they emailed me these instructions on exactly how they want live harmless reptiles packaged which I thought may be helpful for anyone else in looking to get certified.




If you are having trouble reading them on here you can email me at Adam@ShowcaseSerpents.com and I can email you the PDF version.

[LizardPants]

Hey nice post! Thanks!

[AGoldReptiles]

I got all this info from my Fedex Rep. I highly suggest using them if you have questions or needs instructions. It is much faster and smoother than calling various depts. at Fedex that usually have NO clue as to what your talking/asking about. Good Luck

[Twisted Reptiles]

FYI, I asked Fedex if I could publish these here for Fedex last year and they consulted with their legal department and the request was denied. Might want to stick to e-mailing them. Fedex is not ok with these being posted here.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Great info but I'd add that using a plastic zip tie to secure the bag is much more secure than a rubber band. These can be purchased at any Walmart or home depot for a large bag at a couple dollars in the tool section.

Also, using polyester pillow fill as packing material provides a much more soft and comfortable ride, as well as being able to better insulate during cold weather shipping. It can be packed rather tightly with the snake in between the bottom and top layers so that the snake doesn't move around in the box if it's jarred or dropped.

This can be purchased at Walmart or craft stores in large bags for a couple dollars.

[Jerhart]

Good to see...

[mpkeelee]

this was very helpful. pretty cool how they even pay for the shipping. i think im gonna send a package in for testing.

does your shipping certification expire??
what do you guys recommend for heating??
do you pack the heating pad the way they recommend on Page 2 ??

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

For heating you should only use the 40 hour heat packs which are designed for animals. They can be ordered online from SYR, pro exotics I believe, and a number of other places.

The cheap hand warmers you can buy at the store are very dangerous. They get hot enough to cook the snake to death in a short amount if time and then cool down quickly.

Instructions are on the package of the 40 hour heat packs. Red stripe up. Shake to activate. Make sure it's getting warm before putting it in the box. I start them at least 30 minutes prior to packing. If it's being adhered to the underside of the top piece of styrofoam, be sure it's only taped along the edges so you don't block oxygen flow or it will stop working.

I often put mine on the bottom and position the snake closer to the top with extra packing material but if done the right way, location in the box doesn't matter.

More than one can be used if it's very cold out (under 35 degrees) and the box is large enough to accommodate 2 with an inch or more around each one. In this case, the box should also be tall enough so a few inches of packing material separates the animal from the heat source.