How to ship live animals
If your business specialty is animals that swim, crawl, or slither, they could also ride with FedEx. Get detailed information on how to safely pack and ship fish, harmless reptiles, and insects.
If your business specialty is animals that swim, crawl,
or slither, they could also ride with FedEx. Get detailed
information on how to safely pack and ship fish,
harmless reptiles, and insects.
Want to ship live animals?
Want to ship live animals?
Shipping live animals with FedEx
Are your customers looking for live animals? You’ve got options to ship them within the United States. But there are a couple of very important things you should know before you get started.
You can only ship certain animals with FedEx
Our top priority is keeping people and animals safe. That means you’re limited to shipping harmless animals that can handle normal shipping conditions: fish, non-venomous reptiles and amphibians, and insects that don’t sting or bite.
Moving animals safely means moving them quickly
All live-animal shipments must be shipped using FedEx First Overnight®, FedEx Priority Overnight®, or FedEx Standard Overnight service. This helps your recipients place the animals into a dedicated environment as quickly as possible.
Our live animal policies meet industry guidelines
The shipping of live animals is regulated both internationally and domestically. As a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), FedEx complies with these regulations. For more guidance on policy, download the latest FedEx Service Guide and search for “animals” under Terms and Conditions.
Other live animal shipping needs
FedEx does offer shipping services for other types of live animals other than live fish, harmless reptiles, and insects. For more information about shipping live animals, please see the FedEx Service guide.
Requirements for shipping live animals
Contact your FedEx representative before you ship
Your business cannot ship live animals without prior approval. All the packaging instructions you need (and tips on how to get your packaging approved) are on this page. But you’ll need your rep’s help to get started.
Contact your Sales representative to begin the approval process for live animal shipping. If you do not have a FedEx Sales representative, please call us.
While in transit, packages containing live animals may encounter movement, shifting, impact, extreme temperatures, as well as any condition faced by any package moving through the FedEx network. It’s your responsibility to make sure the packaging can withstand these conditions. Before you ship animals, you’ll need to submit a sample of your packaging to the FedEx Packaging Lab for approval. Here’s how:
- Complete, print, and sign a complimentary FedEx Packaging Test Application.
- Prepare a sample test package. You’ll want to pack it exactly as you would for transit—but without the animal. Use new packaging. Make sure any bags are properly closed, with no tears or creases that may leak. Any plastic or inner containers must remain sealed. Also, you need to include a dummy weight or like-weight substance to simulate the intended animal.
- Properly label the test package exterior as if it contains a live animal. Also label it with the words “Test This Package.”
- If you plan to use different sized packaging for different species or quantities of animals, ensure you submit each size for approval.
- Place your completed application, your sample test package, and any necessary cushioning material in a second sturdy outer container.
- Label the outer container “Overpacked/Test Pkg. Inside.”
- Seal each box, both the test and the shipping box, using the H-taping method. (Note: We can’t ensure compliance with markings such as arrows or “This End Up,” but proper placement of the shipping label increases those chances. Your shipping label should be on the top surface of the package.)
- Send your shipment to: FedEx Packaging Lab, 789 Progress Road, Collierville, TN 38017, Attn: Testing.
- You and your FedEx account representative should receive the testing results, via email, approximately five business days after the FedEx Packaging Lab receives your test package.
- Packaging approval is only valid for a three-year period.
- We do not recommend using or modifying FedEx-branded boxes for live-animal shipments. These boxes aren’t designed to accommodate live animals.
Once you’ve passed the packaging test, you must also sign a waiver of liability for your business. Your FedEx account representative will contact you to complete this additional paperwork.
Once your package is approved and your waiver is signed, you’re ready to start shipping to customers.
- FedEx Office and other authorized ship locations (e.g., Walgreens) cannot accept live animals. You must drop off any live animal shipment at a FedEx Ship Center® or arrange pickup by a FedEx courier.
- Live animals must be shipped in new packaging. You cannot reuse boxes, even if they are the approved boxes.
- Only U.S. domestic shipments are permitted.
- For the health and safety of the animals, you must use a FedEx® overnight shipping service.
- To minimize transit time, we recommend you avoid shipping over weekends and holidays.
- Communicate with your recipient. Make sure they’re available to receive the package to avoid extended delivery times.
Prepare your package for testing
-
Package testing for
live fish -
Package testing for
harmless reptiles -
Package testing for
live insects and worms
Package testing for live fish
Pack your test shipment. The package must include:
- A bag filled with the appropriate water type. Use as much as you would include in your shipment, but don't include the fish. Then add a second bag around that. (Minimum 2-mil plastic bags. Each bag must be individually sealed.)
- Absorbent materials. (For example, absorbent pads, newspaper, or towels.) You must include 1.5 lb. of materials for every gallon of water.
- A third sealed plastic bag liner. (Minimum 2-mil. No zip-lock bags.)
- Sturdy outer container sealed with minimum 2"-wide pressure-sensitive plastic tape. (275-lb. burst strength or ECT equivalent recommended. Heavier or larger packages may need a higher board grade.)
Make sure your shipment (including packaging) does not weigh more than 40 lbs.
Label your test package for live fish.
- Write “Live Fish” on two sides of the outer box.
- List the quantity and species, using both the common and scientific names.
- Place the shipping label on the top surface of the box.
Required packaging for live fish test shipments
Packages must be under 40 lbs.
Proper fold-over bag closure
- 1A: Twist end of bag lightly
- 1B: Fold over
- 1C: Wrap rubber band securely around fold-over to ensure closure
Water to simulate the environment;
do not include the actual fish
Water to simulate the environment; do not include the actual fish
Two individually sealed plastic bags (2-mil
minimum), double-bagged
Two individually sealed plastic bags (2-mil minimum), double-bagged
Absorbent material
2-mil (minimum) sealed plastic bag
Fiberboard container
Package testing for harmless reptiles
Pack your test shipment. The package must include:
- Weight to simulate the animal inside an inner container such as a two-piece deli-style cup, screw-top container, or solid fiberboard tube. (Do not include an actual reptile.) The container must have a perforated or vented lid. Friction-fitting lids (not screw tops) must be secured to the body by either taping, using shrink film bands, or another secure method. The lid must not be able to pop or twist off. If a single strip of tape is applied, it must span the entire lid.
- Mesh, cloth, or muslin bags may also be used, with the following guidelines:
- The opening must be securely closed either by knotting, or by twisting and looping the bag while applying a rubber band, a commercial bag tie (twisted by machine), or other secure closure method (such as crimping or sewing the bag together).
- Drawstring bags must be securely closed using a similar method. It’s not acceptable to simply pull the drawstrings closed.
- Void fill such as loose-fill peanuts, newspaper, or shredded paper on all sides, top, and bottom of the inner container.
- Sturdy outer container sealed with minimum 2"-wide pressure-sensitive plastic tape. (200-lb. burst strength or ECT equivalent recommended. Heavier or larger packages may need a higher board grade.)
Note: Although not required, you may also include a heat or cold gel pack for protection from outside temperature and humidity changes. You can place foam panels inside all six faces of the box to strengthen the package and improve insulation. Use an appropriate thickness of foam for the box size.
Label your test package for live reptiles.
- Write “Live Harmless Reptile” on two sides of the outer box.
- List the quantity and species, using both the common and scientific names.
- Place the shipping label on the top surface of the box.
Required packaging for harmless reptile test shipments
Use void material to cushion and secure the primary container from shifting inside the package while in transit
Sealed inner container
Alternative inner container: cloth bag with fold-over closure
- 3A: Twist end of bag lightly
- 3B: Fold over
- 3C: Wrap rubber band securely around fold-over to ensure closure
Fiberboard outer container
Note: For ventilation purposes, you may create holes of 1/4" diameter or smaller in the outer box. However, this may affect the insulation performance of the foam panels, if used, altering the internal temperature of the package. Please use at your discretion.
Package testing for live insects and worms
- Weight to simulate the animal(s) inside an inner container, such as a two-piece deli-style cup, screw-top container, or solid fiberboard tube. Do not include actual insects or worms.
- Friction-fitting lids (not screw tops) must be secured to the body by either taping, using shrink film bands, or another secure method. The lid must not be able to pop or twist off. If a single strip of tape is applied, it must span the entire lid.
- Mesh, cloth, or muslin bags may also be used, with the following guidelines:
- The opening must be securely closed either by knotting, or by twisting and looping the bag while applying a rubber band, a commercial bag tie (twisted by machine), or other secure closure method (such as crimping or sewing the bag together).
- Drawstring bags must be securely closed using a similar method. It’s not acceptable to simply pull the drawstrings closed.
- Void fill or cushioning materials should be added to the shipping box interior to prevent internal movement. Common materials are molded pulp inserts, corrugated sheets, and crumpled paper.
- Some insects require specialty holders, while others are required to be free range within the packaging. Check IATA Live Animal Regulations for more information on additional requirements. The items listed above cover most insect requirements.
Prepare the outer package.
- Use a rigid outer container made of corrugated fiberboard, solid fiberboard, rigid plastic, or wood.
- Corrugated fiberboard boxes must be a sturdy outer container. (200-lb. burst strength or ECT equivalent recommended. Heavier or larger packages may need a higher board grade.)
- All seams of the outer packaging must be securely closed using a minimum of 2"-wide paper or plastic packaging tape (3" recommended). The closure must not allow the container to be opened and re-sealed without cutting or removing the original closure. If staples are used, they must be a minimum of 1"-wide crown staples.
- All ventilation holes must be smaller than the insect or worm being tested for shipping. This will prevent animals from escaping in actual shipments—do not include animals in the test shipment. If ventilation holes are larger than the insect or worm, they must be covered by mesh or screen material. The screen or mesh size must prevent the insects from exiting and must be secured to the inside of the container.
- If you use a second layer of containment, between the primary containers and the inner wall of the outer container, mesh is not required.
Note: Although not required, you may also include a heat or cold gel pack for protection from outside temperature and humidity changes. You may use expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels or molded coolers inside the outer box.
Label your test package for live insects or worms.
- Write “Live Insects,” “Live Worms,” or “Live Animals” on two sides of the outer container.
- List the quantity and species, using both the common and scientific names.
- Place the shipping label on the top surface of the box.
Pack your test shipment. The package must include:
- Weight to simulate the animal(s) inside an inner container, such as a two-piece deli-style cup, screw-top container, or solid fiberboard tube. Do not include actual insects or worms.
- Friction-fitting lids (not screw tops) must be secured to the body by either taping, using shrink film bands, or another secure method. The lid must not be able to pop or twist off. If a single strip of tape is applied, it must span the entire lid.
- Mesh, cloth, or muslin bags may also be used, with the following guidelines:
- The opening must be securely closed either by knotting, or by twisting and looping the bag while applying a rubber band, a commercial bag tie (twisted by machine), or other secure closure method (such as crimping or sewing the bag together).
- Drawstring bags must be securely closed using a similar method. It’s not acceptable to simply pull the drawstrings closed.
- Void fill or cushioning materials should be added to the shipping box interior to prevent internal movement. Common materials are molded pulp inserts, corrugated sheets, and crumpled paper.
- Some insects require specialty holders, while others are required to be free range within the packaging. Check IATA Live Animal Regulations for more information on additional requirements. The items listed above cover most insect requirements.
Prepare the outer package.
- Use a rigid outer container made of corrugated fiberboard, solid fiberboard, rigid plastic, or wood.
- Corrugated fiberboard boxes must be a sturdy outer container. (200-lb. burst strength or ECT equivalent recommended. Heavier or larger packages may need a higher board grade.)
- All seams of the outer packaging must be securely closed using a minimum of 2"-wide paper or plastic packaging tape (3" recommended). The closure must not allow the container to be opened and re-sealed without cutting or removing the original closure. If staples are used, they must be a minimum of 1"-wide crown staples.
- All ventilation holes must be smaller than the insect or worm being tested for shipping. This will prevent animals from escaping in actual shipments—do not include animals in the test shipment. If ventilation holes are larger than the insect or worm, they must be covered by mesh or screen material. The screen or mesh size must prevent the insects from exiting and must be secured to the inside of the container.
- If you use a second layer of containment, between the primary containers and the inner wall of the outer container, mesh is not required.
Note: Although not required, you may also include a heat or cold gel pack for protection from outside temperature and humidity changes. You may use expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels or molded coolers inside the outer box.
Label your test package for live insects or worms.
- Write “Live Insects,” “Live Worms,” or “Live Animals” on two sides of the outer container.
- List the quantity and species, using both the common and scientific names.
- Place the shipping label on the top surface of the box.
Ready to ship?
Reach out to your account rep.
FAQs
What types of live animals can I ship with FedEx?
You can ship live fish, harmless (non-venomous) reptiles and amphibians, and live insects or worms that don’t bite or sting. Traditional pets such as dogs, cats, birds, or hamsters cannot be shipped with FedEx.
Do I need packaging approval before shipping live animals with FedEx?
Yes. You’ll need to submit your packaging for approval to the FedEx Packaging Lab. Contact your FedEx representative to get started.
Are there specific days I should avoid shipping live animals?
Weekends and holidays may delay deliveries. You must ship live animals with overnight services Monday through Thursday for a weekday arrival so that shipments do not fall on a weekend.
Notice: FedEx does not have a special handling service, or a controlled temperature shipping environment, nor can we guarantee preferred package orientation. This information is provided to FedEx customers to help reduce loss or damage due to improper packaging. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide for packaging items we accept for transit. We make no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding this information. Proper packaging is the sole responsibility of the shipper. For more information refer to the Contacts and Resources section. Refer to the current FedEx Service Guide for terms, conditions and limitations applicable to FedEx® delivery services.