shipping questions...first time shipping

[kamazza]

I have never shipped before. I have read some threads on this but still have a few questions. Where can I go locally for heat and/or gell packs and how many(1 or 2) will I need considering the temps (highs in the upper 60s with lows in the upper 40s at the origin and highs in the 50s with lows in the 30s or 40s at the destination)? Also can I use my own box and write "perishable" on it or do I have to buy a box that says it on it? If I use a heat pack, I was going to put it on each side or one side of the outside of the styrofoam box and then put that in a cardboard box which will have a few holes poked in it. There will be a slight space between the styro and cardboard boxes which will be cushioned so there is no sliding around. Does this sound okay? What do I need to write on the box so that it will be okay to ship with out getting in trouble? Species name & common name..? Any advice is appreciated. I just want to do this right! I'd feel horrible if the frog died!

[Rain_Frog]

Where can I go locally for heat and/or gell packs and how many(1 or 2) will I need considering the temps (highs in the upper 60s with lows in the upper 40s at the origin and highs in the 50s with lows in the 30s or 40s at the destination)?

If it's in the sixties daytime / low forties at night, no need for heat pack. I always use a gel pack now at room temperature in with the frogs to act as a buffer.

For the 50s / 40s-30s at night, use a heat pack. I have not shipped anything below like 38 degrees, so somebody can chime in here.

If I use a heat pack, I was going to put it on each side or one side of the outside of the styrofoam box and then put that in a cardboard box which will have a few holes poked in it. There will be a slight space between the styro and cardboard boxes which will be cushioned so there is no sliding around.

Why not wrap it loosely in a sheet of newspaper? You need to make sure the red line is exposed to the air so it works properly.

What do I need to write on the box so that it will be okay to ship with out getting in trouble? Species name & common name..?

Go into Word, and make some large headlines that say PERISHABLE FRAGILE, THIS SIDE UP. Also, have the arrow in the proper direction. The last part of your question is where it gets sticky. MOST people, including myself, have not labeled the box other than "live frogs" or "live harmless reptiles." But as my worry or curiosity has shown, this has proven to not be the best idea-- but realize the shipping companies can be a pain in the a$$ if you tell them live animals.

It's up to you. If you want to be completely "legal," ship USPS and label the box on the side with the common name, latin name, and quantity, like we talked about in "the Lacey act."

I think UPS can ship frogs too. Like Ed K. said, there's probably no need to write "poison dart frog," just "dart frog" would probably be okay.

The best you can, try to have the package held at the post office, but always plan on it possibly going out on the truck, as some locations do not hold packages.

And always double box-- that is key to having stable temperatures.

[Jason]

You may want to look at these forums:

A better gel for shipping...TESTED!

Phase 22 Panels

2nd day shipping for frogs?

Winter shipping

I hope this helps. I have never shipped any frogs in winter, but I have followed the different ideas floating around. The phase change panels are a little expensive, but you can always ask for a deposit and have the buyer ship them back to you as cheap as possible.

[moose12]

Quite helpful....