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Whats The Truth About Shipping!?!?

O

Ophis

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For all of you snake shippers out there. What carriers other than delta (if any) allow non-venomous snakes to be shipped as a matter of policy? What were the reqiruments for doing so?
 
Fed-ex recently started allowing it as a matter of official policy. there is a thread here that shows you the steps to take to become an official shipper. The other shippers it seems to be against policy (not actually illegal as is USPS) but, they have been known to allow it officially, on a case by case basis. Usually the larger breeders who can ship a large amount of packages.
 
This might help~ it's a shortened step by step version that I put together for some people. As I understand it from some others~ step 6 where you can get them to pay for you to ship your test package to them is no longer accurate. I think the rest is still accurate.

Good luck!


It's now possible to get certified to ship snakes legally through Fed-Ex. Credit for the instructions really needs to go the www.faunaclassifieds.com where there is a long thread (24 pages) detailing how to become certified to ship Fed-Ex. All I did was condense that long thread down into a series of step by step instructions.
1. Open a Fed-Ex account. Wait at least 24 hours for account to activate before going on to step 2.
https://www.fedex.com/signup/oes?enrollmentid=f037262224
2. Prepare a shipping box. Just like one to ship a reptile. In deli cup, or whatever you would put the snake in, put a post it note that says something like “Live harmless reptile goes here” Seal up the box just like you would to send it. Don't forget to use insulation and a heat or cool pack. (I did not activate the heat pack~ I just put a note on it indicating it would be activated if an actual snake where enclosed)
3. Fill out this form
http://fedex.com/us/services/pdf/PKG_Services_Application.pdf?link=4
4. Put the form and the packing box into a larger box to ship them to the address on the bottom of the form.
5. NOW call your account Rep. Call 1-800-463-3339, give them your account # (From step one) and ask who your local Rep is and how to contact him/her. Mostly at this point you just want to know who your Rep is and let them know that you're working on getting certified to ship live snakes. I've had 3 different account Reps in just 9 months~ but it seems to me they are very nice to you if you are very nice to them~ and you want to be nice to them because they will hopefully hook you up with shipping discounts later.
6. Have your Rep connect you with "package testing." Tell them you need the acct # you should use to send a package to the testing lab so that THEY pay for shipping (as in Fed_ex pays to get your box and inspect and to return it to you).
7. Ship them the box. Wait. About a week.
8. Get box back ~Approved I hope, mine was first time. My box and materials were from “Scales”:
http://www.exoticlizards.com/miscellaneous-reptile-supplies.html
9. Call your account Rep, explain that you need the Waiver to ship reptiles. If he/she seems confused, request that they contact James Brown in Legal. Fax the account rep a copy of your approval notice. (He/she needs to send it to James Brown)
10. Wait some more. Couple days, not long. Account Rep SHOULD FAX or E-mail you a copy of a Waiver letter to your BUSINESS name. (If not, call your Rep and inquire about the Waiver~ Remember ALWAYS a professional and friendly manner) Sign and FAX back. Try not to worry about the Business to Business part. Most of us have decided to interpret that as “Home Based Business” and my account Rep knows I live in a residential neighborhood and am a Home Based Business. When you ship something, just ask the receiver for a name of a “Business” if they should ever choose to become a home based business and send the package to the business name “C/O” whoever is purchasing the animal.
11. Wait a couple more days; you should get your signed and completed waiver back from Fed-Ex very shortly.
12. Call your account Rep before you ship your first box so he can set you up for discounts for using a MasterCard and printing labels on your PC (You don’t get the discounts unless you ask specifically).

Good Luck!
 
Cheryl, thanks for the accurate step by step! It's bound to help lots of people!

Just an FYI, Ophis, we used to ship UPS until we were notified one day that they would no longer accept our packages. We went through the process with FedEx and have had no problems whatsoever with them since we became authorized. They're a bit more expensive than UPS was, but we haven't had a single late or mishandled delivery with them.
 
Thanks, Cheryl

for posting a MUCH shortened thread with tips to help out. I've read the actual Fedex certification thread and its soooo confusing. :bow01:
 
Just a ( probably) stupid question: Do you sign up for a business acount (even tho it says you need to be listed in the yellow pages to qualify) or do you sign up for a personal account? I signed up for the business account, even though I havent even done that part of it...LOL.
 
Ravenspirit said:
Just a ( probably) stupid question: Do you sign up for a business acount (even tho it says you need to be listed in the yellow pages to qualify) or do you sign up for a personal account? I signed up for the business account, even though I havent even done that part of it...LOL.
Click to expand...

I never heard that one about being listed in the yellow pages to qualify for a business account. Sounds kind of odd to me. Yellow page listings in the phone book are really only of benefit to local service where the phone book is used. If you are doing only local business within range of the phone book delivery area, what the heck do you need FedEx for? Just about ALL of your customers will be local.
 
Well, I'm trying to get certified thru Fed-Ex but I can't even get my Local Rep to call me to get the process going. I called and left a msg on Monday and still have not heard from him. This is very frustrating.

Jeannie Cumbo
 
Try calling their headquarters (1.800.463.3339)

That's how I set up my account.
 
I actually did on Monday. They said they would send a msg to the rep to call me. Still nothing. I finally got the name and number of the rep and call him yesterday and left a msg. Still nothing!
 
WebSlave said:
Try calling their headquarters (1.800.463.3339)

That's how I set up my account.
Click to expand...

Is a local rep really needed?? I've tried unsuccessfully for two weeks to get ahold of mine and still nothing!!
 
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