Hi everyone! I’m looking to sell and ship some of my bearded dragons. However, I have never shipped bearded dragons before. I have shipped hundreds of tarantulas but never reptiles. I’m worried and I, of course want to make sure that my beardies make it safe to their destination. I did some research but I’m still left with some questions, so I thought I’d ask the here to make sure I get my info right. Hoping some of you guys can give me some tips on shipping.
What shipping company do you use? I’ve seen redline, ship your reptiles, and MorphMarket. I went to their websites and asked for a quote to see the difference in rates. Seems like MorphMarket is the cheapest, then redline and ship your reptiles seems to be the most expensive one. Yet, I keep reading that people are using SYR? In your opinion, which one is the best? And why?
Pricing I got online for overnight shipping from CA to FL. 7x7x6 3lbs (from my research this seems reasonable size and weight for a baby dragon)
MM $43
Redline $76.79
SYR $107.50
How do you pack your little dragon? I’ve seen youtube videos of some people packing them in a deli cup with a snake bag, I’ve seen some that has a paper towel rolled up in a long delicious and the dragons in the middle of the paper towels etc. What’s your preferred method of packing? (If you don’t mind sharing)
How would you go about multiple dragons in 1 package?
Where do you get your materials from?
Am I required to have some sort of documents when sending reptiles? When I was checking out redline, I saw that they require some sort of documents and labels to ship out reptiles. Is that the case with any reptiles you ship? Do we need those types of documents whenever we ship reptiles?
I apologize if it’s a lot of questions. I just want to make sure I get this right. The internet is full of info but every one of them seems to differ a bit from another. I’d rather hear it directly from the experts.
So if I were you I would also post this on CB. There are several beardie breeders there that can help you and will answer any and all questions you have…
Just click on the red figure 8 at the top of this page and you will be directed there……
There is a breeder named Greg S who will hopefully see your post there. He is a wealth of information!
I shipped a bearded to a rescue group in NY early last month but I would rather you get advice from breeders, not keepers like me. But it’s pretty straightforward. If packaged properly, the weather is the main thing to be concerned with….
Hello, @jesterreptiles. Good for you for asking questions! It is great that you want to do things safely for the animals. We never mind questions here, though I’m sure you’ll get good info on CB as well. I work with corn snakes rather than bearded dragons, but the answers to your questions apply pretty much across reptile species. I’m actually Fedex Certified to ship myself, which is a process involving test packages and assorted paperwork. I did that back before the discount companies existed. I don’t use my own account any more because it’s so much cheaper to use the other options. One note, I only ship for hub pickup these days. That’s what I recommend to everybody. There have been too many issues for too many people, and it’s simply the safest choice for the animals.
Actually, whether one but a label through MorphMarket, Redline, SYR or Reptiles 2 You, the actual shipment is done through/by FedEx. What you’re purchasing through these companies is a discounted shipping label, which they’re able to get from Fedex because of huge volume discounts. I’ve used all of these services. They all do a good job. If there’s a delay or issue, you contact the company from whom you bought the label, NOT Fedex. I totally love Redline’s customer service, nothing but good things to say about them. There’s a human available and willing to help when problems happen, and they will happen at some point. I love their “on time arrival” insurance, which refunds the cost of your label if the shipment is not available when promised. It also covers live arrival. MorphMarket’s shipping service is new and I’ve only used it a couple of times. The price is unbeatable, but there’s no “on time arrival” insurance. There is “on time live arrival,” so if it arrives both late and DOA, you’re covered if you chose the insurance. It’s really up to personal choice.
I pack my little serpents in deli cups with lots of snuggly aspen breeding from their home bin. The familiar scent can help them feel less stressed in transit, and even in their new home. This deli is sealed with tape and cushioned by shredded paper. This deli is labeled with the animal’s morph, gender, hatch date, and ID from BrightHope Snakes. Heat packs, cool packs, phase packs as needed.
Note: it’s legally required that your animal be sealed in an escape-proof container, then contained within a box with specific insulation and burst-strength, which is sealed again on the outside. You need specific air holes, which you will punch. If you purchase your shipping materials from one of the approved companies, you’ll be fine. Don’t try and build your own shipping container using other boxes and insulation.
Multiple animals usually go in multiple, individual delis. Bigger boxes as needed. I’ve seen people put two corn snake hatchlings in a single deli by putting one in a little snake bag, which worked fine. Don’t know it’s that’s feasible for dragons. Bigger snakes go in snake bags.
All the shipping companies sell them, as do a few other reptile supply companies. I’ve gotten them from various places, just depends on who is having a sale. Some places offer points or other things on your account, which may or may not be something you want to do.
Yes. You must comply with the Lacey Act labeling. If you put all of the following info on your box, you’re covered for all requirements. You’re legally required to state on the outside of the box the following information for each animal inside: identification as reptile, species common name, scientific name, quantity of each species, number of each sex, age of animal(s). If you buy boxes meant for this, there’s a place for you to fill this out and a box to check for “reptile.” So for me, if I were shipping a male and female hatchling I’d check the “Reptile” box and write “1.1 Pantherophis guttatus, corn snakes, hatchlings.” You can also indicate gender by writing it out male, female, M,F or the symbols. You could write it all out, like “one (1) male corn snake Pantherophis guttatus, two year old.” As long as is all there, you’re golden.
You’re also required to label the box as “Live harmless reptile” or “Live harmless wildlife,” identified as reptile (by checking a box or writing it). Again, this is preprinted on most boxes.
It’s a good idea to write the tracking number and the recipient’s phone number on the outside of your box. Labels can be damaged, and this can help your babies get safely where they’re going.
Inside the box, you are required to include a bill of sale or receipt showing the receipient, the species, quantity, sex, age. You must also include the “Live harmless reptile” wording. This should be taped on top of the insulation, directly beneath the flaps of the box so that if someone were to open it, this would be the first thing they’d see.
The shipping companies have good info about temperatures, and what you may need as far as heat packs, cold packs, phase packs. Others who work with your species can advise you better there, but I can attest that I ship safely in lots of conditions, but when it’s truly unsafe to ship I hold and keep caring for animals until it’s safe, whether this is due to weather or holidays or a Fedex system crash. The animals’ safety always comes first.
