# Everything you need to know about shipping ## Supplies: Boxes, Temperature Control, Vials, and more! ### Label - Labels should *only be purchased once a ship date & cost of the label has been confirmed with the receiver.* __Do NOT buy labels at FedEx Hubs.__ You will pay 2-4x the cost of a label, and they do not offer any type of live arrival insurance (if you intend to purchase). - __ALWAYS__ check with the person you are shipping to if you are shipping to a breeder/vendor, as they may have better shipping rates and prefer to purchase the label. - Some of the most popular US shipping vendors that accept invertebrates: [MorphMarket](https://www.morphmarket.com/ship/shipping/), [Redline](https://www.redlineshipping.com/), [Reptiles Express](https://www.reptilesexpress.com/), and [Reptiles2You](https://www.reptiles2you.com/). - Typically labels are good for about 30 days post purchase (if the ship date changes) so make sure to **review weather** and do a final confirmation with the receiver *before* packing your animal. ### Shipping box - We prefer 6x6x6 or 7x7x7 for affordability, depending on number of spiders, 12x9x6 is another common size - Box needs to be **white** (per FedEx live animal shipment rules. Some people do not follow this but we recommend following regulations to the letter to avoid issues. *(Ex: Morphmarket can and will ban you from their services if you do not use a box that matches these requirements if they find out.)* - Your box needs a Lacey Act label. If your box does not have one you can print [this](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ti8aFmERfjqvmLkeNPilXbGIuDdQCKZi/view) page and cut one out and tape it. - Label should have invertebrate checked and should list the number of each species. - Box needs to be insulated on all 6 sides with styrofoam (We buy ours in bulk, but for just one invert it would be easiest to just buy a single box, or visit a local vendor and ask to buy a box from them more affordably) > [!NOTE] Note: FedEx ToS says that you *cannot* reuse shipping boxes. Don't reuse boxes that are damaged. Remember to read the terms of service of your shipper. See Shipping Partner Details for more info! - If you are using a heat pack, smaller boxes will heat up WAY more, so be cognizant of that when packing, and consider a phase change pack. ### Container for your invert - Typically we will use one of a few different *vial* sizes, but a 16 ounce *deli-cup* packed with paper towel (or even an alternative sized/shaped cup as long as it is sturdy will work) for an adult T. - We will pad the container with *paper towel around all sides* for larger spiders, and for small vials we will use *soft, damp sphagnum moss* so the sling can hold onto something. Some folks will even use *boba straws* plugged with paper towel on either side. - We will typically mist at least one side of the paper towel, we do not ship **anything** in bone dry vials. - If you are using a deli cup, **PLEASE** tape the lid or use rubber bands (we do not want spiders in boxes especially not angy mature males that are fast as heck.) - **It is our belief that ventilation is vital, especially for boxes that will go through temperature shifts. Even just a single hole in a vial will allow for air exchange.** - Even with proper ventilation and packing, elevation and cabin pressure can still cause invertebrate deaths, so we want to do everything we can to assist by ensuring we have a ventilation hole in the box & any shipping containers used. - For most vials this can be done with a thumb tack, pin or small nail. Poke the holes from the inside to the outside when possible to reduce risk for sharp edges facing toward the invertebrate. # How to decide what temperature controls belong into the box? ### Temperature control: This is based on your temps and the receivers temps **ALWAYS CHECK TEMPS** - **Cold Pack** There are a lot of different options here for cold packs. - We like [these](https://amzn.to/3LnlV5a) because you can use them in different configurations and they can be rehydrated as needed. We like to rehydrate them and then when we ship, we will put them in a ziploc bag to reduce any sweating (because this can increase the humidity inside the box, and be unpleasant) - **Heat Pack** (if needed): We typically use [these UniHeat 40 hour ones](https://amzn.to/4i5Evu2) but when shipping isopods if we need a heat pack we go for [these 72 hours ones](https://amzn.to/4hRMTNv) Morphmarket currently has the most affordable UniHeat packs that we have found [here](https://shipping.morphmarket.com/products/dry-gel-ice-pack-8-oz). - *Reminder*: These packs have expiration dates- make sure to double check them & open the heat pack at least 1 hr before you pack the box to ensure the heat pack works and can start getting up to temp. - **Phase Change Packs** (if needed) These run about $5 each and you can get them from a variety of places including: [ShipYourInverts](https://shipyourreptiles.com/shipping-supplies/product/293) [MorphMarket](https://shipping.morphmarket.com/products/pcm-23-gel-phase-pack)and [Josh's Frogs](https://joshsfrogs.com/sp/josh-s-frogs-ecotherm-reusable-phase-change-shipping-pack-jfd58000?srsltid=AfmBOoqPGoZjLsi_Jsw9nYfuBMgcMhuMg0SOoIrJgG45fYLRvuT7GSZn) - these are reusable so if you get one in a package SAVE IT. Many vendors will absolutely take these back, and some might even give you a bit of store credit for them because they are expensive. These can be paired with a heat or cold pack OR be used on it's own for closer to optimal temperatures. > [!warning] > - DO NOT use hot hands/non animal rated heat packs. ## Shipping services do not recommend heat pack usage for a box smaller than 12x9x6 Here are the temperature guidelines from: [Morphmarket](https://support.morphmarket.com/article/184-shipping-temperatures) & [ShipYourInverts](https://shipyourinverts.com/faqs/category/temperature-guidelines#top) - **Sub 35°F:** **DO NOT SHIP,** and wait for warmer weather. - **35°F -70°F:** Use a 40 hour+ heat pack. - **70-85°F:** No Heat Pack or Cold Pack Required. A solid-state Phase22, Cryopak, or other branded packs can be used to hold even temps through transit. - **85-95°F:** HOLD AT FACILITY. - Use a solid-state Phase22, Cryopak, or other branded pack, or use a cold pack. - **95°F and Above:** **DO NOT SHIP,** and wait for cooler weather. Note: We recommend **ALWAYS** doing hold for pickup at the hub ### **Insulation Inside the Box** - Our preference is **crumpled paper,** because packing peanuts can shift (*this can be newsprint or paper towel, or packing paper*). - If using a *deli cup,* the deli cup should be right side up in the box, and should fit **SNUGLY** in the insulation (*make sure not to crush the deli-cup sides*). [HERE](https://shipyourinverts.com/shipping-supplies/product/309 ) is an example of a shipping PACK that includes a phase change pack. These are cool because they help dissipate heat/cold if you have to put a hot or cold pack in, and they are safe when a heat pack might not be. > [!NOTE] NOTE: If you are using this box and shipping with Morphmarket, cover the ShipYourInverts Lacey Act Label with a Morphmarket one and cover any other branding on the box. > [!NOTE] TLDR; > - Box, insulated, check temperatures > - If heat pack, consider the box size, and determine if you need to include phase pack > - If cool pack, again consider the size of the cool pack, and determine if phase change pack should be used. > - Vial/container for tarantula should not allow them to get jostled around INSIDE the container, and the container should fit snugly within the insulation outside so the container cant get jostled. Container **AND** Shipping Box should have some kind of ventilation that allows for air exchange as the temperature in the box changes. > - Follow regulations from your shipping partner to ensure that they do not action your account if something goes wrong. This is ESPECIALLY important if you are purchasing LAG insurance through that vendor. | Shipping - small vials | | ---------------------- | | ![[shipping1.png]] | add blurb about breeding loans, LAG, expectations for due diligence around temps/fedex hubs, home delivery, fedex shipping times, ups, etc ## Important Information & Hobby Terms ### Communication expectations > [!warning] Good communication is MANDATORY for both sides (shipper and receiver). *What does this mean?* > - Do *not* ship unless the receiver has confirmed the delivery date > - Do *not* buy your label until the receiver has verified their info AND has approved the cost. > - *DO* use a shipping service that is rated for invertebrates (In the US: ShipYourInverts, MorphMarket, Redline, etc.) ### LAG *Live Arrival Guarantee* - this is a standard in the hobby. Different vendors have different policies. *Live Arrival insurance* - some shipping vendors (Like MorphMarket) allow you to purchase this insurance. Read the TOS. ### FedEx Hub / UPS / Home Delivery ### Breeding Loans (Split, 50/50) - Understand the terms of the loan before you ship a mature male. If the mature male is yours. Most common would be a split (50% of any sacs produced go to the owner of the male). Next most common would be "outright" where the owner of the male sells the male for a price determined. If you want a split, you can opt for up to 50% of the slings produced. If you want less, just confirm that beforehand. - Trading males at expos is also common- check with vendors at expos to see if they want you to bring the male and trade for some sling(s) or get a split without the shipping cost - The owner of the FEMALE pays to ship the mature male - the owner of the mature male ships any produced slings back. *This is to ensure that the owner of the mature male does not pay to ship a male that doesn't produce* ### Products we use for shipping Click HERE for the full product list we use when we ship. If you have any others you want to share, reach out to @anabelle on discord and we can add them! ### Shipping Partner Details - Morphmarket has SPECIFIC guidelines. Full details [here](https://support.morphmarket.com/article/58-how-to-ship-live-reptiles) - Highlights include: - Boxes must be NEW - Boxes must have no business label (except MorphMarket) - Boxes must follow all FedEx regulations (white, lacey label, etc) - The box should have ventilation holes through both the box and the insulation. - Shipments should not occur when temperatures rise above 95°F or fall below 35°F. ### Weather/Temperature Due Diligence It is BOTH parties responsibility to look at the weather (Where the package starts, where the package is going, and a general understanding of where the package might travel). Be weather aware. Storms can cause delays.