Safe Packing & Shipping Guide for Live Organisms

Shipping live animals is a critical task—entrusting lives. Proper packaging and shipping earns high reviews and ensures safe delivery. This manual covers packaging and shipping best practices by animal type.

Basic Packaging Principles

Universal packaging principles for all live animals:

1. Immobilize — Prevent containers from shifting inside the box during transit
2. Temperature stability — Use styrofoam boxes or insulation to minimize temperature change
3. Oxygen supply — Fill with oxygen for aquatics; ensure ventilation for reptiles
4. Redundant safety — Use double or more containers to prevent leaks and escape
5. "Live Animal Inside" label — Never forget to alert carriers

Aquatic Animal (Coral/Fish) Packaging

Required Materials

• Heavy-duty plastic bags (double)
• Oxygen cylinder or air pump
• Rubber bands or heat sealer
• Newspaper or cushioning
• Styrofoam box
• Ice packs (summer) or heat packs (winter)

Packaging Procedure

1. Add tank water — About 1/3 of the bag. Too much adds weight; too little destabilizes temperature
2. Add the animal — Gently net and transfer to the bag
3. Fill with oxygen — Fill remaining 2/3 with pure oxygen and seal tightly
4. Double-bag — Always double-bag for leak prevention
5. Wrap in newspaper — For both shock absorption and insulation
6. Place in styrofoam box — Secure with cushioning to prevent movement

Coral-Specific Notes

• Place frag plugs in small containers (deli cups) before bagging
• Package each coral individually to prevent contact
• Completely separate toxic corals from other livestock

Reptile Packaging

Required Materials

• Cloth bags or deli cups
• Kitchen paper or newspaper
• Ventilated cardboard box
• Heat packs (winter) or ice packs (summer)

Packaging Procedure

1. Place in cloth bag — Bags for snakes, deli cups for lizards and geckos
2. Line with kitchen paper — As cushioning and for absorbing waste
3. Secure in box — Fix bags/cups in place with crumpled newspaper
4. Position temperature control items — Wrap heat packs in newspaper before including
5. Ensure ventilation — Make small holes in the cardboard box sides

Seasonal Temperature Management

Summer (June-September)

• Wrap ice packs in towels before including (direct contact causes over-cooling)
• Morning delivery specification is essential
• Be prepared to postpone shipping on days above 35°C

Winter (November-March)

• Use 40-hour heat packs
• Styrofoam boxes are mandatory (cardboard alone provides insufficient insulation)
• For extreme cold regions, consult the buyer and choose warmer days

Spring/Autumn (April-May, October-November)

• Relatively stable seasons, but watch for morning/evening temperature swings
• Including insulation as a precaution provides peace of mind

Shipping Best Practices

• Ship on weekdays — Weekend deliveries may be delayed
• Ship in the morning — Increases probability of next-day morning arrival
• Always share tracking numbers — Inform buyers via Bri-Choku messaging
• Communicate expected arrival time — Ensure the buyer can receive the package
• Check weather — Postpone during typhoons or heavy snow

Safe packaging and shipping directly impacts your credibility as a breeder. For more shipping fundamentals, see our Safe Shipping Methods for Live Animals.