UPS shuts down SYR and ReptilesExpress

[Tony]

You have to open an account (free), contact the representative for your region and let them know you wish to become certified to ship reptiles, fill out some paperwork and ship a test package to fedex for evaluation (set up just like you are shipping an animal, but no animal inside of course), then do some more paperwork for their legal department. From what I have heard it can take anywhere from two to six weeks to complete the process.

[poison beauties]

I guess I willgo ahead and get certified. This is just one part of a larger etup geared at sending our hobby. With the proposed laws through F&W with the chytrid issues we need to all get certified and make it know we wish to use this. Perhaps then they will fight to keep it around and maybe setup some better rates.

Michael

[onedge30]

Currently, what are the options for a once in a blue moon personal shipper? Do you have to have a business to open a shipping account with UPS or FedEx? And aren't there a certain number of shipments a year to maintain an account?

It feels like the little independent hobbyist is just being completely cut off from any type of shipping reptiles.

[Jeff Kennedy]

You can still go through UPS, however there are no price breaks and no real way to figure shipping. I have got burnt every time. They will even tell you themselves that their online shipping calculator is wrong and of little use. I have actually been checking in to the USPS. It is about half the cost and the packages are guaranteed by 12 PM as opposed to UPS's 10:30AM. Also, FedEx is contracted through USPS to handle their overnight packages so you get the same service at half the cost. They also do offer discounts I believe for business's.

[Pop Alexandra]

What's the current favorite courier service platform for reptile shipment?