Identify if your animal is on the shipping company's approved or prohibited list of animals for shipping. According to United Parcel Service's (UPS) rules, some of the accepted animals they will ship are all amphibians, crustaceans, fish, worms and mollusks. Limited insects and reptiles can be shipped by UPS. Some animals on UPS's prohibited list are any poisonous, venomous or threatening animals. All mammals, birds and crocodiles are also prohibited.
Create the outer package with a brand-new corrugated box. The box, according to UPS, should be a minimum bursting strength of 275#. Animals living in or requiring liquid while traveling should be in a box made of plastic corrugated material or wax-coated material. The package should be ventilated with air holes.
Choose the interior packaging by the needs of the specific type of animal being shipped. UPS recommends individual burlap-type bags for lizards. Plastic ventilated jars are appropriate for the insects that are acceptable for shipping. Fish need to be double-bagged with one-third of the bag containing water and the other two-thirds containing oxygen. The thickness of the bags for fish should be a minimum of 4 milliliters.
Fill the outer box with packing material to keep the internal bags, jars or other types of containers from shifting any more than necessary for the animal's comfort. Also include food, moisture or even a temperature control, if necessary, to help the animal have a healthy and safe trip.
Address the package correctly for speedy delivery and take the package to the service center of the shipping company you selected. UPS requires animals to be shipped overnight air service.
