🐠 Shipping & Delivery Policy

At Tropicflow Aquatic, our priority is helping your live fish, shrimp, snails, and aquatic plants arrive safely and in good condition.

Because live aquatic animals are sensitive to temperature and long transit times, we strongly recommend choosing Weather Protection Shipping or UPS Next Day Air whenever possible.

📦 When We Ship

We normally ship live orders Monday through Wednesday, excluding federal holidays. This helps reduce the chance of your package being held by a carrier over the weekend.

Orders may also require a short quarantine, health check, and preparation period before shipment.

🚚 Choose Your Shipping Method

🥇 UPS Next Day Air — Safest Option

• Our #1 recommended shipping option.
• Fastest transit time after your order leaves Tropicflow Aquatic.
• Reduces the amount of time livestock remains inside the shipping box.
• Highly recommended during very hot or cold weather.
• Recommended for rare, high-value, or sensitive fish.
• May be required for larger or particularly sensitive livestock.
• Receives our highest processing priority during limited safe-shipping windows.

🛡️ Weather Protection Shipping — Recommended

• Recommended for most live aquatic orders.
• Provides faster shipping than our Standard option when applicable.
• Includes additional insulation and weather protection when needed.
• Heat or cooling protection may be added depending on conditions.
• Recommended when temperatures are below 50°F or above 90°F.
• Recommended for high-value or weather-sensitive livestock.
• Receives processing priority over Standard Shipping.

📦 Standard Shipping

Standard Shipping is available for customers who prefer a lower-cost shipping option, but it may involve longer transit times and longer weather-related holds.

• Typically used during moderate weather conditions.
• Best when temperatures are approximately 50°F–90°F.
• May be held during extreme heat or cold.
• Processed after Next Day Air and Weather Protection orders during limited safe-weather windows.
• Transit times may vary depending on the destination and carrier.

❄️🔥 Shipping Priority During Extreme Weather

Safe shipping windows can become very short during extreme summer or winter temperatures. When this happens, orders are processed according to shipping priority:

1. 🥇 UPS Next Day Air
2. 🛡️ Weather Protection Shipping
3. 📦 Standard Shipping

If you are located in an area experiencing extreme temperatures and want to reduce the chance of an extended shipping hold, we strongly recommend selecting Weather Protection Shipping or UPS Next Day Air.

Standard Shipping orders may remain on hold until weather conditions are considered safe enough for the longer transit time.

If we determine that your order cannot safely ship using the selected service, we may offer:

• An upgrade to the recommended shipping service, or
• A refund if you prefer not to proceed with the required shipping upgrade.

🌦️ Weather-Related Delays

Your livestock's safety comes first. We may temporarily delay shipments because of:

• 🔥 Extreme heat
• ❄️ Extreme cold
• ⛈️ Severe storms
• 🚚 Carrier disruptions
• 🌪️ Natural disasters or unsafe transit conditions

If your order is affected by a significant shipping delay, we will provide an update by email.

🧾 Order Confirmation & Tracking

• You will receive an order confirmation email after completing checkout.
• Once your order ships, you will receive a tracking number by email.
• Carrier tracking may occasionally update slowly even while your package is already moving through the network.

❤️ How We Protect Your Order

Each live shipment is prepared based on the livestock, destination, shipping method, and weather conditions.

• 💨 Oxygenated fish bags
• 📦 Protective packaging
• 🌡️ Thermal insulation when needed
• 🔥 Heat packs when appropriate
• ❄️ Cooling protection when appropriate

⏱️ Important: Shipping Speed vs. Processing Time

Next Day Air, 2-Day, Express, and other expedited shipping names refer to carrier transit time after your order ships.

They do not mean your order will leave Tropicflow Aquatic on the same day it is placed. Live animals may require quarantine, health checks, preparation, and scheduling before shipment.

💬 Need Help Choosing?

If you are unsure which shipping option is best for your location, our team is happy to help.

For most customers, we recommend Weather Protection Shipping. For the safest and fastest option, choose UPS Next Day Air.

📩 Email: tropicflow@tropicflow.com
🌐 Website: www.Tropicflow.com

*Historical successful-delivery percentages reflect Tropicflow Aquatic shipping data and past results. Individual shipment results may vary and are not guaranteed due to weather, carrier delays, customer availability, delivery conditions, and other circumstances outside of Tropicflow Aquatic's control.