Fedex Test Box question

Im getting my test box ready so I can get certified to ship reptiles and I have a couple questions about the box. I got the box from a frozen rodent order I got a while ago thinking I might need it someday. Its lined with styrafoam, I put the container the snake goes in on top of some shreded paper and then stuffed the paper around it, should I use packing peanuts or is the paper fine?
Also should I write the snake info on the outside of the box?

Paper inside is fine.

Info you write on the box is 'live harmless reptile' and make up a species name and common name to write on there as well as number contained.. such as '1 california kingsnake / lampropeltis getula californiae'

You're going to "re use" a box? ... I'd think about that one.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

You're going to "re use" a box? ... I'd think about that one.

-adam

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I agree with Adam, buy some new boxes. If they don't like it you will not pass the box test.

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

You're going to "re use" a box? ... I'd think about that one.

-adam

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Im probably going to use another box.

Plus, don't think you are going to get your contract right away. I received my results from my package test on the 6th and still don't have my contracts. :mad:

I don't know about packing peanuts, but they would probably be too loose in the box and not offer alot of cushion.....but I have used shredded paper or polyester pillow stuffing. The idea is to get the snake as secure as possible to prevent it from being bounced around inside the box during transit.

I label my boxes with "Live Harmless Reptiles" on all sides and the top and also have a common name/scientific name label that is printed a little smaller and stuck to the top of the box.

IMHO....Using a 'used' box is not a good idea for a test box. As part of the Fedex contract, you must have each different type/size of box that you plan on using to ship be tested and approved. If you send snakes in boxes that are not identical to those that have been tested and approved, you Fedex shipping agreement will be violated. Also, your box will be tested with weight loading just like it was new and photos will be taken of the used box by Fedex for you 'file'. So why not just spend a few bucks and get a quality REPTILE shipping box certified?

Yeah I'd recommend a new box too.

They were pretty quick getting me my contracts.

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Plus, don't think you are going to get your contract right away.

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I know, thats why im trying to get certified now instead of later when I need to ship a snake. No hurry:)

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

polyester pillow stuffing

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:sweeet:

-adam

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Plus, don't think you are going to get your contract right away. I received my results from my package test on the 6th and still don't have my contracts. :mad:

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Did you contact your Fedex representative to get the paperwork filed for your contracts? Fedex does not automatically submit the paperwork to the legal department upon completion of the package testing. They do however send the testing information to your rep. Your rep will only submit the application to the legal dept. upon your request.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

As part of the Fedex contract, you must have each different box that you plan on using tested. If you send snakes in boxes that are not identical to those that have been tested and approved, you Fedex shipping agreement will be violated.

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I just talked to David Arbeit in the Package Test section and he said it isn't necessary to have different size boxes tested. They basically just want to verify that you know how to pack the animals correctly.

I had this box laying around and thought earlier I would try to use it then decided not too, to many stickers on it:), Staples is just around the corner;)

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

I just talked to David Arbeit in the Package Test section and he said it isn't necessary to have different size boxes tested. They basically just want to verify that you know how to pack the animals correctly.

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Really? That's interesting. I hope that is true.. would save some trouble.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Did you contact your Fedex representative to get the paperwork filed for your contracts? Fedex does not automatically submit the paperwork to the legal department upon completion of the package testing. They do however send the testing information to your rep. Your rep will only submit the application to the legal dept. upon your request.

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Yep, the day I received the package test results. ;) I have been calling him regularly, there is only ONE person in legal that can do the paperwork I guess. He was on vacation last week. Not very good for a huge business to only have one person that knows how to do the job.

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

I just talked to David Arbeit in the Package Test section and he said it isn't necessary to have different size boxes tested. They basically just want to verify that you know how to pack the animals correctly.

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However in the Fedex contract, it will state that you must have each box type tested. So if you do not get each box tested, you will be in violation of your contract.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

However in the Fedex contract, it will state that you must have each box type tested. So if you do not get each box tested, you will be in violation of your contract.

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Well when/if I get my contract I will have to talk to Mr. Arbeit again. Why is it the left hand never knows what the right hand is doing? :confused:

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Well when/if I get my contract I will have to talk to Mr. Arbeit again. Why is it the left hand never knows what the right hand is doing? :confused:

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Because the guys in the field are in touch with reality and then the lawyers get a hold of things and screw it all up ... and that's just how the world turns. ;) :sweeet:

-adam

From my Fedex contract (one of the only sections in bold letters too):

"Company further agrees, prior to shipping any Reptiles and Amphibians, that it has submitted its proposed packaging to the FedEx Packaging Design and Development Department for review and approval and it will not ship any Reptiles and Amphbians in any type of packaging that has not been reviewed and approved by FedEx."

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

From my Fedex contract (one of the only sections in bold letters too):

"Company further agrees, prior to shipping any Reptiles and Amphibians, that it has submitted its proposed packaging to the FedEx Packaging Design and Development Department for review and approval and it will not ship any Reptiles and Amphbians in any type of packaging that has not been reviewed and approved by FedEx."

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Ahh yes, but it doesn't say each size needs to be tested. It just says your packaging has to be reviewed.

Size...type....same thing ;)

Do you really want to risk letting lawyers sort out what it actually means if something were to go wrong with the shipment? LOL.

It costs nothing but time to get a box tested. Fedex pays for shipping, and you get your box back. I just like to cover my bases :D

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

I just like to cover my bases :D

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LOL ... I like it! ;) :sweeet:

FWIW, I had all my box sizes/types certified ... It's not worth losing my FedEx contract over bad contract language.

-adam

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Size...type....same thing ;)

Do you really want to risk letting lawyers sort out what it actually means if something were to go wrong with the shipment? LOL.

It costs nothing but time to get a box tested. Fedex pays for shipping, and you get your box back. I just like to cover my bases.....thats just how I roll :D

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Well I think there is a point where you can read into things too much. ;) That is why I contacted Mr. Arbeit directly and asked him. To me "size" and "type" are 2 different things. I can have 3 different "size" packages that are all the same "type" of packaging.

It really doesn't matter, because they don't insure live animal shipments. If it shows up live or dead they won't reimburse you.

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

It really doesn't matter, because they don't insure live animal shipments. If it shows up live or dead they won't reimburse you.

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.....but if a Fedex employee accidentally busts up the box and a 'killer' snake gets loose, scares some customers, and puts negative PR on the news concerning Fedex....

....the lawyers will have a field day :D

To each his own....However, I would contact the Fedex Legal Dept instead of the Package Testing Dept. for interpretation of the contract.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

To each his own....However, I would contact the Fedex Legal Dept instead of the Package Testing Dept. for interpretation of the contract.

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First they have to get off their butt and get my contract done. :mad: This has to be a pretty standard form by now, what takes so long to send it out?

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

First they have to get off their butt and get my contract done. :mad: This has to be a pretty standard form by now, what takes so long to send it out?

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I really don't know Bill. I had mine sent a week later ;) Must be a busy time of the year.....there are alot of new people with baby snakes right now :D

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

It really doesn't matter, because they don't insure live animal shipments. If it shows up live or dead they won't reimburse you.

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I don't care about that, but if next week when I walk into my FedEx distribution center to drop of my boxes for the week and they tell me "sorry Adam, your account has been closed because some distribution center manager in osh bum nevada doesn't want to deal with snakes and convinced legal that you weren't technically certified to ship the size/type box he had got from your account last week ... that would be a big problem for the future of my business ... and for what? ... because I didn't send a couple of extra boxes that took 2 minutes to assemble and didn't cost me a dime? ... no thanks ... I'll go the extra mile and make sure that I read into EVERYTHING and cover myself 120% ... well worth it to me. ;)

-adam

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

First they have to get off their butt and get my contract done. :mad: This has to be a pretty standard form by now, what takes so long to send it out?

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It's all your account rep ... I've had 3 in the 2 years since I've been certified with FedEx ... one was terrible, one was ok, and my current rep and I talk about every other week ... he's awesome! ... be a pain in his ace, he'll get r done just to make you go away ... tell him that you think you might have 30 priority overnights to ship as soon as the paper work goes through and see how fast it gets done. ;)

-adam

When i first started the process of getting certified i had to make several calls.I finaly found someone who knew the proper info of what i needed to do to become certified.When i sent my test box to them they told me to use the proper type of box identical to the ones i would ship reptiles in.I bought some boxes from SuperiorEnterprises the 12x9x6,and shipped one to fedex testing dept.They sent it back to me bacause i was not told i needed to place my shipping deli cups or bags packed inside.I packed the box just like i was sending a snake inside.I even taped the lids on the delicups(i received a good comment by doing this) and placed papers around the delicups.From start to finish i was certified in about 5 weeks total.It is true that only one person in the legal dept handles all certifications and his name is James Brown.Real nice guy to boot.As long as you do not ship anything illegal thru them they will never bother you.The only complaint i have ever had with them is i am still waiting for my sales rep to contact me :mad: .Gee its only been a year and a couple months,maybe someday she will contact me:rolleyes: .

Joe...I would call and ask for a new rep (or get someone local if she is not). My local rep is a great guy.....and he has an office nearby if I have problems or need to speak to him in person.

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

It's all your account rep ... I've had 3 in the 2 years since I've been certified with FedEx ... one was terrible, one was ok, and my current rep and I talk about every other week ... he's awesome! ... be a pain in his ace, he'll get r done just to make you go away ... tell him that you think you might have 30 priority overnights to ship as soon as the paper work goes through and see how fast it gets done. ;)

-adam

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Well, my rep seemed great. He called me right away, said he had already helped another person get their stuff setup. The last week he said the legal guy was on vacation and would be back monday, I called my rep monday (no answer), emailed him yesterday and still nothing back today. I will call him tomorrow and email to tell him that if I don't hear back I will email his boss and ask him to "put this on the fast track". Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since my package was approved.

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Originally Posted by joepythons

When i first started the process of getting certified i had to make several calls.I finaly found someone who knew the proper info of what i needed to do to become certified.When i sent my test box to them they told me to use the proper type of box identical to the ones i would ship reptiles in.I bought some boxes from SuperiorEnterprises the 12x9x6,and shipped one to fedex testing dept.They sent it back to me bacause i was not told i needed to place my shipping deli cups or bags packed inside.I packed the box just like i was sending a snake inside.I even taped the lids on the delicups(i received a good comment by doing this) and placed papers around the delicups.From start to finish i was certified in about 5 weeks total.It is true that only one person in the legal dept handles all certifications and his name is James Brown.Real nice guy to boot.As long as you do not ship anything illegal thru them they will never bother you.The only complaint i have ever had with them is i am still waiting for my sales rep to contact me :mad: .Gee its only been a year and a couple months,maybe someday she will contact me:rolleyes: .

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This is the guy that helped me find my account rep. Just email him and say you are having a hard time finding your rep and make sure you put your FedEx account number in your email (helps track your rep).

Lenny Evansek

FedEx Account Executive

leonard.evansek@fedex.com

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Joe...I would call and ask for a new rep (or get someone local if she is not). My local rep is a great guy.....and he has an office nearby if I have problems or need to speak to him in person.

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I have talked to so many people they know my voice :P .My reps boss calls me and has told me several times she will make sure my rep will get ahold of me.If i ever need anything i just call the big boss over the reps :D .Like Adam said they do change reps alot for some reason.

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

This is the guy that helped me find my account rep. Just email him and say you are having a hard time finding your rep and make sure you put your FedEx account number in your email (helps track your rep).

Lenny Evansek


FedEx Account Executive


leonard.evansek@fedex.com

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Bill i think i have spoken to him as the name sounds familiar.I will give him a email and see what happens anyway.Thanks

Well, I got ahold of my rep yesterday and he faxed me the contracts. I signed them and faxed them back. I then received a signed copy back last night. Finally!!!!! :)

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Well, I got ahold of my rep yesterday and he faxed me the contracts. I signed them and faxed them back. I then received a signed copy back last night. Finally!!!!! :)

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Thats crazy....I had to drop mine off to the rep...actually 6 copies I think. He said that the legal documents must have 'original' signitures on them.....no copys or faxes.

Guess it works for you though....ha ha....funny how the process varies from person to person.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Thats crazy....I had to drop mine off to the rep...actually 6 copies I think. He said that the legal documents must have 'original' signitures on them.....no copys or faxes.

Guess it works for you though....ha ha....funny how the process varies from person to person.

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:confused: Oh well, I am not complaining. That would have added another 2 weeks of mail delivery.