Step 9 – Ship’err Out!

Now that the corals are packed, the box has been prepped; heat and cold packs are added as need, its time to seal the box and ship.

Place the top lid you cut earlier on top of the box. As noted earlier, I cut mine just a tad smaller so they fit just a little better. Place the box cover on and seal with tape. You not only want to do a couple strips of tape in the middle to hold the lid together, seal the sides of the box also, remember we want to keep the box insides a constant temperature, seal any possible leaks.

Now you want to mark an arrow pointing to the UP position of the box (you won’t believe how much this small step makes). Additionally, I add FRAGILE on all my boxes. I used to put live fish then I heard that most shippers can choose not to send live animals through the mail without a ton of paper work. If they ask you what is in the box, I always say snails.

Now you have another option; you can take the box as is to the local FedEx, UPS or USPS for shipping and pay them and your done or you can go a step further and save some cash.

Step 10 – DIY Shipping

The advantages of signing up for a FedEx, UPS and USPS account are far too beneficial to pass up. Not only do you save money by getting an online discounts, all three major shippers will allow you to order boxes, labels and miscellaneous other supplies on line for free! And they will ship them too you, again for free!

Additionally, it is so nice when there is a long line at the post office or FedEx station and just move to the front of the line to drop off your package, because you don’t need them for anything!

If you ship allot order a digital scale, if you have an old baby scale (or other small weight scale) lying around it is best to weight your own boxes. By doing your own weighing and labels from any of the major shippers, FedEx, UPS or USPS you are going to get a better rate.

When you weight your box, always round UP to the closest full pound, that’s what they do and that’s what they will charge you for. Additionally, it is always a good idea to figure out how each shipper charges, it is usually by box size (dimensions) and weight, whichever is greater. That is why you want the smallest box size possible, with the lightest weight possible without compromising the amount of water and insulation in the box… it can get a little tricky.

This one came in at just under 4 pounds so my label weight will be 4 pounds.

Once you have signed up with FedEx, UPS or USPS (it’s also free), you can get and estimate of your package cost and then printout labels yourself.

The best deal is using the “hold for pick-up” option. You can order your shipping label at the “Standard Next Day” rate and it will usually arrive in at the same time as if you ordered the “Priority Next Day” rate but much cheaper. However, the buyer has to be willing to drive to the location to pick up the pack.

Once printed, cut out your label and affix them to the top of the box. Use clear shipping tape and make sure all the paper is covered by the tape.

The final step is taking your ready to go package to the shipper for shipping. I really like FedEx the best; they are very reliable and usually have the latest drop-off times (8:00pm). I usually start packing my corals around 6:30 pm and have the package up to the FedEx station by 7:30. This limits the amount of time the frags are out of a controlled aquarium system, which increases the chances of survival… and having to reship a pack.

Well that’s about it. Once shipped you have a tracking number to track the shipment, when it arrives and when it was delivered. It may take a couple shipments to get the hang of it but once you do, it gets pretty easy.

Question and Answers

Q: What do I do if the shipment arrive DOA (Dead on Arrival)?
A: The general common practice held by most sellers and vendors is to reship the package with the buyer paying the shipping charge. However, most sellers have conditions (I do) as to if they will re-ship; typically the buyer must report the problem with photographs within two hour of delivery. This stops those who order packs to their work during the day and the box sits for the next 8 hours in their office before seeing water or those who left the box sit at their door while at work all day.

Q: Who is the best shipping company?
A: Hands down FedEx. All of them have their problems but FedEx has been my favorite. I have not lost a package with them yet. I have also used USPS; however 3 out of 10 packages either get lost or are a day late. However, USPS has the best refund policy. If its late you can just print off the tracking information and take it too them, they will reimburse your shipping on the spot with a cashiers check. You will have to file with the main office to get reimbursed for the package.

Q: Should I order the insurance?
A: Typically you automatically get $100.00 if something bad happens to the package that is the shipping companies fault. For additional insurance I don’t carry it unless I am shipping an extremely rare item.

Q: Can I use those Uline perishable boxes instead of cutting my own?
A: Absolutely, however they cost between 6 and 8 dollars a box.

Q: Can I use zip-lock sandwich bags and wire ties for shipping the corals?
A: I wouldn’t.

Q: Should I mount my corals before shipping or just bag up fresh cuttings?
A: Either or is fine, however you run a greater risk of breaking off mounted frags.

Q: I hear that some people double bag each individual frag, is this good idea.
A: Absolutely, the more insulation the better. Double bagging is especially good for corals which have sharp tips on them like some bird nest corals.

Q: I have seen those heat pack that have a sticky side too them, can I use those?
A: Since you don’t know how many times the box will be flipped, thrown, tossed, etc., there is a change that the sticky part can come undone and land directly one a coral bag frying the frag.

Q: What about dry shipping is that a good idea?
A: Dry shipping has been discussed for the last 20 years that I know of, it saves a lot of money and in theory is a good idea. The thinking is that on the reef coral are exposed to air all the time and sometimes for long periods of the day. In actuality no one is really willing to do it. Once problem was wrapping frags in a tank soaked paper towel, however this has been found to just smother the corals. Some have even shipping with a very little bit of water and some plastic cutting in a bag as to not smoother the coral and say it works well. Until I receive a package first hand using this method, I am not going to ship this way.

Other information:

Register for FedEx account: http://www.fedex.com/us/oadr/en/landing_page.html

Register for USPS account: https://ecap-ws-prod.usps.com/entreg/login.do

Register for UPS account: https://www.ups.com/one-to-one/register?sysid=myups&lang=en&langc=US&loc=en_US

Shipping bags and heat packs: http://www.tbaquatics.com/shop/

Other shipping articles:

The Holding, Shipping and Transport of Corals, Part 1:
Shipping and Transport by Eric Borneman: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/eb/index.php

Hot Tips: Shipping Coral, Fish, and Inverts: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/11/tips

How to Properly Ship Corals: http://blogs.frags.org/member.php?uid=3130

Reef Central; Best Shipping Procedures: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1239871