FAQs

Dimensional weight. This might seem tricky, but it’s actually pretty simple. FedEx multiplies the package length x width x height, then divides by 139. That number is your package’s dimensional weight. (UPS uses the exact same calculation)

Example: Length 12" x Width 12" x Height 9" / 139 = 9.32 lbs.

FedEx looks at your package’s actual weight and dimensional weight then uses the heavier of the two, rounded up to the nearest whole number. So your package bills as 10 pounds.

If you could ship that same animal/item in a 12" x 9" x6" box, one of our most popular box sizes, dimensional weight is only 5 pounds. A 5-pound box will be MUCH less expensive to ship than a 10-pound box. Always use the smallest box you can safely and responsibly use. The larger the box, the more expensive it will be to ship!

Note: They measure packages with lasers. If they determine your package is bigger than you said it was, they will charge shipyouraquatics.com an adjustment fee and we pass that charge on to you, so measure twice.

If you have already booked your Priority Overnight label, the guaranteed time of arrival (GTA) will be displayed in the lower right quadrant of the label. For most addresses, Priority Overnight packages will arrive by 10:30 a.m for business addresses and 12:00 pm noon for residential addresses.

NOTES:

You may only ship Monday - Thursday for delivery on Tuesday - Friday.

NO DELIVERY on Saturday or Sunday.

DO NOT send a live aquatics package on Friday.

In some outlying areas, Priority Overnight packages are delivered by noon for business addresses and 4:30 pm for residential addresses. In remote rural areas, Priority Overnight packages are delivered by 4:30 pm or end of day.

Use the Quick Quote feature on our home page to check the GTA before you book.

You will also find the GTA listed during the booking process for your label. And it will be printed on the label itself.

Businesses often have morning drop-offs. If morning delivery is essential, consider sending your package to a business address.

When you are shipping live aquatics, it is important that your recipient be available to receive your package in person, no matter when it arrives.

If you require delivery confirmation, the recipient must be alert, ready and waiting for the FedEx driver. You do not want the package going back onto the truck for delivery the next day.

If you do not require delivery confirmation, tell your recipient to check all around the house to make sure the package does not sit outside.

Do not ship live animals to Hawaii.

Special note for Alaska

Due to limited FedEx services, certain zip codes in Alaska require one or more additional days for pickup and delivery of Priority Overnight shipments.

Go to FedEx Rates & Transit Tool and entering the ZIP code you intend to ship to. Select “Get quick quote” to know if additional time will be required to deliver your package.

You may also contact our customer service department at 303-730-2125 or info@shipyouraquatics.com for any help you may need.

You can always book your label in advance. That is a very common practice.

Our system assumes the day you create your label is the day you will ship. The label becomes "active" when it is scanned by FedEx. Once you put the package into the system, all tracking and delivery information will update accordingly.

Notes

If you book your label before the day you will be shipping, please be sure to check the top of the shipyouraquatics.com home page on the day of shipping (before you ship) for any warnings or restrictions.

If you do not use your label within 30 days of creating it, contact us at info@shipyouraquatics.com or 303-730-2125. We will issue a full refund for the unused label. You can then create a new one as needed. You must contact us within 30 days of booking to receive a refund on an unused label.

You must use your label in 30 days.

If you do not use your label within 30 days of ordering it, contact us at info@shipyouraquatics.com or 303-730-2125. We will issue a full refund for the unused label. You can then create a new one as needed. You must contact us within 30 days to receive a refund on an unused label.

You can email a shipping label quickly and easily.

Once your shipment has been booked, you may print and/or e-mail the label at any time up to 30 days after the booking date.

Sign into your shipyouraquatics.com account and click “My Account” then “Order history.”

This will open a page with list of all booked shipments under your account. Select the Booked Shipment you wish to e-mail the associated label from by clicking on the “View order details” link.

From your Booking Overview page click on the “Print / Download 4x6 Shipping Label” box. This will bring you to your label.

PC USERS: If you are using Firefox or Internet Explorer simply right click on the shipping label image and select “E-mail Picture” from the drop-down list and then send to the recipient. If a window appears asking to resize the attachment, select “Keep the original size”. If you are using Chrome, you will right click on the label and select "Save Image As..." and give the image a name and select where you want the file saved. Then locate the file and right click on it and click "Send to > Mail Recipient" and send your email.

MAC USERS: Go to “Print” and then click on the “PDF” button from the print screen (lower left corner) and select “Mail PDF” then send to recipient. Alternatively, "Save as PDF" to your desktop, and attach it to your email at will.

You may be breaking the law if you ship live species that are considered illegal, invasive, or are otherwise restricted by state or local authorities.

Penalties can be steep, and there is no legal protection for not knowing you are shipping something that falls into these categories, so take some time to look at the following resources.

First, call the destination's local U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service or United States Department of Agriculture office. These links will help you reach the correct office:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service office directory

United States Department of Agriculture service center locator

For information about invasive species, check out United States Department of Agriculture National Invasive Species Information Center.

FedEx does not offer shipping refunds for late arrival for live shipments. In fact, refunds for live shipments are specifically exempted in the Live Aquatics Certification agreement:

"Company agrees to waive any right to receive adjustments, refunds or credits under the Money Back Guarantee Policy as defined in the FedEx Service Guide in effect at the time of shipment."

If you are FedEx certified to ship live animals, you will find similar wording in your FedEx contract. It is against FedEx policy to issue a credit or refund for a shipment containing any live animal.

No, they do not. This is a common misconception among shippers of aquatics, reptiles and other high-value animals.

When you ship with Delta Cargo (aka Delta DASH), you can enter a declared value for which you pay extra. This declared value is only useful when you have to file a claim with your own insurance company. Delta Cargo does not provide live arrival insurance. Delta Cargo does not cover any loss for a DOA shipment.

No.

Shipyouraquatics.com provides an approved way to ship live animals to and from residences through FedEx. Typical FedEx-certified animal shippers are operating under the standard FedEx Live Aquatics Certification. This standard agreement says the following:

"Company acknowledges that all shipments tendered to FedEx under this Agreement are for Business to Business delivery only. No residential deliveries are allowed under this agreement."

The unique agreement between Ship Your Aquatics and FedEx specifically allows shipments of live animals to and from residential addresses.