Fed-Ex Test Package....

CaptBogart · 02-10-07, 02:57 AM

Ok, so I procrastinated long enough, and figure it's down to the wire for getting certified to ship Fed-Ex. I opened an account and contacted Rod Coffman. He sent me the forms needed, (Waiver of Liability Checklist and Packaging Services Application). Now on to the next step of getting my package approved.

So, my questions are, where do you get your boxes from? and what do you ship in it to the testing facility?

**Taceas** · 02-10-07, 04:32 AM

I used a brand new reptile shipping box from Superior Enterprise and shipped it in a spare large cardboard box I had on hand. Just large enough to ship it in really.

CaptBogart · 02-10-07, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Taceas

I used a brand new reptile shipping box from Superior Enterprise and shipped it in a spare large cardboard box I had on hand. Just large enough to ship it in really.

Thanks, I have quite a few used ones around and wondered how everyone had the same boxes...

What did you ship instead of the snake? sand, water?

**Carol** · 02-10-07, 11:12 AM

I also use superior's boxes. I shipped the box just as I would pack a snake, I didn't put it inside a second box. I actually shipped a little fake rubber snake. I put filler in the box and delicup and also placed in an unactivated heat pack and described that it would be used in cold temps. One thing they do require that you also tape the delicup lid shut, that one is easily missed. Good Luck!

**Taceas** · 02-10-07, 03:37 PM

I had a paper print out of a hatchling corn snake that fit inside a small deli-cup. I taped the rim of the cup, then put two heavy duty rubber bands around it in a + shape.

Then I wrapped a non-frozen cold pack and labeled that it would be used during warm weather. I also had a wrapped old heat pack, taped it to the inside top piece of foam, and labeled that it would be used during cold weather.

Then packed a lot of foam packing peanuts inside and sealed up the box.

**Hurley** · 02-10-07, 06:48 PM

I put kleenex in the deli cup with a note on top reading "hatchling goes in here". I then taped the lid of the deli cup, placed it in a snake bag and tied the bag closed with the neck doubled over, just like I ship. I then packed the bag centralized with crumpled newspaper all around. On the lid of the styrofoam box, I taped the heat pack (still in the package) with a note reading "if this were a live shipment, heat pack would be activated". I put in a fake invoice showing proper documentation (number and type of snakes, to and from addresses), and closed up the box. I labeled the outside with

"Live Harmless Reptiles
1.0 Juvenile Pantherophis guttatus"

and

"Perishable
Please Avoid Temperature Extremes"

on alternating sides, just like I ship.

I then put the box in an overbox marked "Overbox" (since they require that) and mailed it in.

I got the report back (with pics of my box, pertinent details, and a 2 page report telling me it passed and detailing the type of packing job I did) within 3 days of sending it in along with my box and all of its contents.

**Carol** · 02-10-07, 09:50 PM

Hmmm, I must have missed the memo about the over box! I guess they let me slide.

CaptBogart · 02-11-07, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by Carol

Hmmm, I must have missed the memo about the over box! I guess they let me slide.

Yeah, it just has a box to check if an over box is used, and states to mark it as such....

I was thinking about sending a gummy worm....

**Hurley** · 02-11-07, 09:19 AM

Yeah, I meant since they require that if you use an overbox that it is marked as an overbox. You don't have to use one.

**pgr8dnlvr** · 02-12-07, 02:46 AM

So what the heck is this thread about anyway? I guess when you guys ship fedex they make you jump through a few hoops first? What exactly do you have to do to be a "certified" fedex shipper? Do you just have to certify when you tell them it's live animals?

Couriers don't allow animal shipments up here. I know some who break the rules and just label it as fragile glass though... not me!

Rebecca