This is from CA authorities so policies and procedures are likely to vary from state to state.

I recently received a single ball python on Tuesday of this week. It was shipped thru FedEx via Priority Overnight. Normally, these are delivered before 10:30AM. However, this package was delayed and did not arrive until about 4 hours later. During those 4 hours, I called FedEx twice to see what the hold-up was. No one knew why and since the snake finally showed up alive, I didnt bother pursuing the reason further.

Yesterday, I recieved a letter in the mail from the CA State Department of Food & Agriculture. I was shocked to finally know the reason for my snakes delay because I have not heard of this happening before to another fellow snake keeper. However, I was grateful that the snake was not held any longer or returned to the shipper. Apparently the Quarantine Officer decided to release the package for delivery, even though it was in violation of CA Fish & Game Code, Section 2272.

They ultimately, issued the vioation because: "this shipment consisted of one (1) box containing 1 -unidentified snake. There was no statement of origin and no description of the contents on the outside of the box.".

Please see a copy of this letter. Hopefully this will help us wildlife shippers stay out of trouble. For me, I will now be writing the scientific name, common name, and animal quantity on the outside of each box. I probably won't make this very large though, in an attempt to not draw any attention from a snake-fearing carrier employee. This, along with the shipping label, should satisify the authorities.