shipping snakes

well since I am getting into bp breeding and might be producing some babies this time next year I figured that I would go ahead and start my research on shipping.

I read a previous thread and decide that since I will only be making 4-6 shipments a year that Fedex would be the best route. I do have a few questions: Is Fedex good to go with for such a small amount of snakes? Do they have any fees associated with becoming verified? How long does the verification process take?

Also, I was wondering how some of you all pack your snakes for shipping. I have the general idea but I was wondering if someone can elaborate on proper packaging a bit.

Thanks

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Is Fedex good to go with for such a small amount of snakes?

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Yes.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Do they have any fees associated with becoming verified?

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No.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

How long does the verification process take?

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Anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months depending on your rep and how good you are at making annoying phone calls.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Also, I was wondering how some of you all pack your snakes for shipping. I have the general idea but I was wondering if someone can elaborate on proper packaging a bit.

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I use a 3/4" - 1" Styrofoam inner box with a corrugated exterior box (dimensions depend on the number of snakes going out ... ~15x13x9 for a single animal). The inside of the box is filled with poly-fiber, which is a pillow/doll stuffing found at craft stores. Heat packs are added as needed and wrapped in a newspaper envelope to prevent direct contact with the animal. The snake is placed in a double seamed snake bag with 2 pieces of folded paper towel. The bag is goose necked and secured with 2 rubber bands. That's the basics at least.

For FedEx shipments, I drive to the FedEx station at my local airport so that I can drop off at the last possible minute (9pm for express delivery). That way the snake spends the least amount of time in the box as possible.

-adam

Adam, ever used DHL? Are they any good?

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Originally Posted by DRS

Adam, ever used DHL? Are they any good?

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No, DHL does not have a program for shipping snakes.

Not to mention the fact that DHL has a horrible delivery track record for just about everything. I don't think there is a place on the internet that has positive reviews of DHL for anything!

FedEx knowingly and openly ships snakes if you are under contract to do so with them and their customer service and delivery track record is outstanding! I couldn't imagine wanting to use anyone else!

-adam

Adam thanks for the warning. I have used UPS a lot but I have had a few problems with them on overnight shipments. I'll give FEDEX a try. I loved the fact that we had a UPS real close so I also would show up at the last minute so they weren't in transit too long.

I've worked at FedEx for five years and I remember just last summer that someone didn't package a snake right. It was a four foot long Boa (not sure what kind cause I wasn't there) and the driver came back to find it wrapped around his steering wheel--scared the crap outta him!!! It was in Bgm, ny that this happened. I'm not sure if we got rid of that deal or not. I'd double check if I were you. I'd also ship it FFO (first overnight) It's more expensive, but the snake is guaranteed to be there by 8:00am the next morning anywhere in the USA--costs 25 more than the standard priority rate. I'll check at work on Tuesday for any additional info, too bad you couldn't get my 75% off rate, but I'd get fired. Sorry.

Jim

Jim,

FedEx has an official program that was started over the summer of 2004 for live harmless snakes. All shippers must be approved by FedEx through Package Certification & Testing and sign a contract releasing FedEx of all liability. The contract also requires that all snakes must be shipped Priority Overnight as FFO is not available in all areas.

The program is almost identical to the program FedEx put in place for live fish shippers.

I speak with my rep a couple of times a month, and I assure you that the program is currently active and growing by leaps and bounds. It's a success for both FedEx and live snake shippers!

75% discount?? ... I may have to start moonlighting!!! :D

-adam

Are there any fees for registering with Fedex? I have a few snakes I'll need to ship in the coming months, and I need to do it right.

Adam,

I'll bet that what I was talking about is the reason for all the registration now. We have a TON of exotic animals that come through the ramp here at Syracuse, so I believe you. Can you imagine the look on that driver's face when he saw the Boa around his wheel? haha. I would've loved it!!! Anyways, I have no doubt that you are right. Fedex has more policies then I can keep up with. I started as a handler, then a courier, then a supervisor and there is still so much I don't know, so I have no doubt that there is a seperate division for exotic animals. We have seperate planes for some famous traveling Pandas from China. A whole plane dedicated to them. We once shipped Shamu the Whale for a while in his own private plane.

Jim

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Originally Posted by DRS

Adam, ever used DHL? Are they any good?

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DHL is typically a primary source for shipping inverts. From everything I've seen in arachnid posts, the service is absolutely horrible.

People are still getting animals in decent shape (there are shipping losses, with replacements happening by the proper invert dealers who sent the package in the first place), but everything else is a pain. Delivery people tossing the box, setttiing it down, not ringing or knocking, loosing items, etc.

I wouldn't use DHL unless I had to.