Could really use some info....

[Crow]

Hey everyone....I'm hoping someone here can help me. I'm looking for information regarding any of the laws of shipping venomous snakes through the mail (permits, licenses, etc.). For example, shipping from one state to another. I'm also looking for info on what carriers are willing to do this and what they require in the way of documentation. If anyone could maybe recommend some websites to check I'll be happy to dig the info up myself....I'm just looking for a good place to start. Thanks!

[Adam_Wysocki]

You'll have to ship Air Cargo.

I think Delta is the only air carrier that will touch venomous.

-adam

[JLC]

Just a quick note: It's illegal to ship any live creature through the US mail system. You have to use one of the many shipping businesses to ship live...and I don't doubt Adam's word that Delta Dash may be the only way to legally ship venomous.

[Adam_Wysocki]

It's illegal to ship any live creature through the US mail system.

Actually Judy, the postal manual does detail a list of live animals that are allowable. Surprisingly, it's a bunch of stuff, including non-venomous lizards and tortises ... but no snakes ... and certainly nothing venomous.

-adam

[JLC]

Wow, that is surprising. I'd always heard otherwise, including from my mailman. ...of course, one shouldn't expect one's mailman to have actually read the manual!

[Adam_Wysocki]

This is from The USPS Domestic Mail Manual dated 1/8/06.

In section 601.9.3.3 which was updated on 2/2/06 it states:

9.3.3 Small Cold-Blooded Animals
Small, harmless, cold-blooded animals (except snakes and turtles) that do not require food or water or attention during handling in the mail and that do not create sanitary problems or obnoxious odors are mailable (e.g., baby alligators and caimans not more than 20 inches long, bloodworms, earthworms, mealworms, salamanders, leeches, lizards, snails, and tadpoles).

Hope this helps.

-adam

[Crow]

Thanks everyone! I had heard that Delta would ship venomous but I wasn't sure if anyone else would. I'm asking because I am currently 'snake sitting' some venomous snakes that some moron tried to ship through UPS. There were absolutely no markings on the box whatsoever to let anyone know there were live animals let alone anything venomous. Fortunatley the package was opened and inspected and the shipment was stopped before anyone (or the snakes for that matter) were hurt. It just aggrevates me because, although I don't ship reptiles, this kinda thing makes it harder on all the folks that do ship reptiles the right way. Sheesh....some people. Thanks again!

[cassandra]

Does it strike anyone else as odd that to USPS, shipping an alligator, albeit a baby one, is okay, but a sweet little snake like a young ball or even a corn is bad-bad?

[krackerJack]

Does it strike anyone else as odd that to USPS, shipping an alligator, albeit a baby one, is okay, but a sweet little snake like a young ball or even a corn is bad-bad?

not really companies rules and state laws are always backwards just like in NJ you need a permit for balls but not for boas imo neither are really harmfull snakes (I dont have any experiance with boas tho) its just that must people that make the rules have no idea about reptiles or most anything for that matter