If you become individually certified with FedEx, you do need to submit packaging through the FedEx packaging lab for certification and approval.
If you are shipping with ShipYourReptiles you DON'T need to go through that step, as you are shipping under our SYR certification. But you DO need to still meet the FedEx packaging standard, which includes at least 3/4" insulation for your live packages (a number of packaging suppliers sell 1/2" packaging, which drives me nuts because it only saves a few cents, but does not meet the required packaging standards for thermal protection nor structural protection).
If you only have one or two shipments, you can use one of our shipping kits, which contain everything you need to make a shipment, no matter the season (but still weather permitting, according to our temperature guidelines).
If you buy your supplies in bulk, it is less expensive.
Some folks buy boxes from Uline, and thicker insulation foam from Home Depot. And then cut and assemble the boxes themselves. That's more work. As a reptile breeder for 20 years, we would always make our own boxes that way. I really like the 1.5" insulation for thermal and structural protection. You can use your own packaging, it just has to meet the SYR Shipping Standards, which in turn meet the FedEx TOS. It's all industry standard stuff, nothing weird, odd or difficult.
You can find all of the requirements, details and SYR Shipping Standards on our page.
As for rate, use coupon code APS40 and get 40% off your first shipment.
When you use that code our Director of Accounts Judy will contact you and follow up to get you set at a great permanent rate according to your volume and need. You can also reach her direct at
Judy@ShipYourReptiles.com
As for rates you see in the hobby/industry, as mentioned, some breeders/dealers ship hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in shipping, and they get really aggressive rates to achieve $50 per package, or $35 a package.
Most often though, as mentioned, a flat rate of $35, $50, or even $25 is a bit of a marketing tool, and a loss leader. It's an average shipping cost, or absorbable shipping cost, that appeals to buyers and sellers because it is "set" and means there is no extra quote/calculation time. It also appeals to the buyer's eye.
As a breeder, our average animal sale price was $200. I had flat rate shipping of $35 (in the 1990's) and eventually it climbed to $55. Sometimes it was right on. Sometimes shipping was more expensive, maybe even by $20 (shipping across the country, for example). Once in a great while, it was less (shipping within state, or one state over).
So we were subsidizing shipping cost, in order to best appeal to our customers and for marketing. It brought customers our way. Lots of folks still do that. I think LLL and/or ReptMart offer $25 flat shipping these days...
But ReptMart probably does a million dollars plus a year with FedEx/UPS, so they get a terrific discount to start with.
Keep in mind the LLL Reptiles of the world, with cheap shipping rates, have been banging away at it for 20+ years. They have long established and mature relationships with FedEx and UPS. It is indeed tough to start breeding geckos or snakes and compete with them on shipping rate, as well as the cost of breeding the animals themselves.
It is also going to be very difficult to subsidize your own shipping rates if your average sale is $25, or $50. You simply can't absorb a $20 subsidize hit to make shipping more appealing. It's a catch 22 for new breeders.
But you can contact Judy@SYR and discuss rates with her, she will do her best to help!
And one more "trick", use the smallest box you can safely use.
Dimensional Weight- Your shipping cost will be based on either actual weight or dimensional weight, whichever is higher. Actual weight is the weight on the scale. Most reptile packages are less than 2 pounds.
But the popular 12x9x6 box has a dimensional weight of 5 pounds. So even though it only weighs 2 pounds, you will be paying for a 5 pound box, which is a lot more expensive.
The popular 7x7x6 box, which is also usually under 2 pounds, has a dim weight of 4 pounds. So you will be paying for a 4 pound box.
Dim weight ratings let FedEx/UPS compensate for the SIZE of the box in their rate calculations. There is no way around it, it is an industry standard rating, and is the same with UPS and FedEx.
Read more about dimensional weight, and how to calculate it yourself (it's very easy) at our SYR Get Help section.
We have a terrific customer service team at SYR. We are always happy to answer questions or share tips and strategies on making shipping work for your situation. I hope this info is valuable for you, best of luck to you!