how do i express ship?

allaboutfish

allaboutfish

AC Members
Jul 12, 2011
5,654
0
0
memphis, tn
Real Name
johnathon dunn
i plan on shipping a largeish cichlid and i need to know how to express ship. i need like a step by step guide and a way to calculate. id rather go through usps. also is there a place i can buy like 2 large fish bags and 2 heat packs without having to buy alot of them? oh and lastly if where im shipping it is in freezing temps how many heat packs will i need, and what kind? ive shipped fish before just not large fish and not express or during the cold.
 
Well it's the same way actually. Make sure you thick bags (3 mil) double bag or even triple just in case. Go to USPS: http://postcalc.usps.gov/
Put in your zipcode and the other person's. Send the fish in a box that is either 12x12x12 or smaller. If over that size, they will charge you more. Scroll down to the end of the page and click "package" if the box is smaller than 12x12x12. Estimate the weight. Express usually runs around $30-45 if the person is out of your state. Some pet stores may have bags and heat packs but that's usually LFS and not big box stores. If a big box, two should be fine. I usually only use one for a medium flat rate box or if I know it's going to be cold on both sides, I use two. Remember to not let the bag touch the heat packs. Use insulation (styrofoam) as it helps keep in heat and stuff. Don't let the bag roll around in the box so pack the box so the bag stays still. Don't overly pack it though as you don't want it to squeeze the bag.
 
will newspaper work for insulation? could i ship in a medium flat rate priority box but ship express? anywhere online that will let me buy 2 or 3 large bags about 3ml and 2 heat packs?
 
Newspaper is not adequate for cold temperatures. I would use styrofoam, or typical insulation like you find in your home. Water is not as important as air. Have just enough water to comfortably cover the fish. Also, use thick bags for big fish, don't use a breather bag. Heat packs also absorb oxygen so they would remove all the oxygen from the water in a breather bag. A regular bag is fine though. Assuming your big cichlid is around 9-12 inches, I would ship it in a 18" x 18" box. If it's smaller a 12"x12"x6" box could work. Where are you shipping the fish? UPS ground overnight shipping could be cheaper. Also, you may have to go to more than one USPS to ship the fish. One USPS near me refuses to ship any liquid by air (priority or express). The rest will ship fish by air. Some people coat the whole box in tape, I do not. I leave little areas open for oxygen to get into the box. Fish bags tend to slowly leak air/CO2, and your heat packs also need fresh O2.

You can get small amounts of bags and heatpacks from aquabid, or you can see if your LFS may sell some.
 
allaboutfish said:
he's like 4 inches(blood parrot) where can i get styro foam?
Click to expand...

Lowes or Home depot is where I get mine. Always use styrofoam when shipping fish. I'm not sure if you can use a priority box. I have received boxes like that with eoxress tape all over the box but you may want to ask the post office first.
 
Industrial said:
Newspaper is not adequate for cold temperatures. I would use styrofoam, or typical insulation like you find in your home. Water is not as important as air. Have just enough water to comfortably cover the fish. Also, use thick bags for big fish, don't use a breather bag. Heat packs also absorb oxygen so they would remove all the oxygen from the water in a breather bag. A regular bag is fine though. Assuming your big cichlid is around 9-12 inches, I would ship it in a 18" x 18" box. If it's smaller a 12"x12"x6" box could work. Where are you shipping the fish? UPS ground overnight shipping could be cheaper. Also, you may have to go to more than one USPS to ship the fish. One USPS near me refuses to ship any liquid by air (priority or express). The rest will ship fish by air. Some people coat the whole box in tape, I do not. I leave little areas open for oxygen to get into the box. Fish bags tend to slowly leak air/CO2, and your heat packs also need fresh O2.

You can get small amounts of bags and heatpacks from aquabid, or you can see if your LFS may sell some.
Click to expand...

Not too hijack the thread, but they are shipping to Greeley, CO 80631 ;)
 
Make sure to take it to the post office before 12 as that is when the first truck leaves. Anything dropped off afterwards will be sent later on in the day, around 3 I think and may take longer than overnight to receive it. Try to use a box that is around or smaller than 12x12x12 if you can. If the fish won't fit, don't make it and use a bigger box. Make sure all sides are padded (you should have 6 styrofoam pieces in total).
 
sora1600 said:
Lowes or Home depot is where I get mine. Always use styrofoam when shipping fish. I'm not sure if you can use a priority box. I have received boxes like that with eoxress tape all over the box but you may want to ask the post office first.
Click to expand...

they have the same size express boxes.......at least at my PO........check online........they have the same sizes, just blue with express logo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom