At Nor Cal Corals, we prioritize the safe arrival of our livestock, ensuring they reach your doorstep alive and healthy. Below, you’ll find details on our packaging, shipping methods, rates, and options. We ship to all U.S. states except Hawaii due to importation restrictions. Currently, we do not ship to Guam, Puerto Rico, other U.S. territories, or internationally.
Our Packing Process
We take great care in packing your order to maintain the health of your livestock during transit:
- Each animal is placed in fresh seawater with optimal pH and specific gravity.
- The livestock is sealed in multiple poly bags with thick liners to prevent punctures or leaks.
- Bags are placed in insulated coolers to maintain stable temperatures during transit.
- Seasonal adjustments, such as ice packs or warmers, ensure temperature stability.
- Finally, the cooler is placed in a sturdy corrugated box, labeled for next-day air delivery.
This process ensures your corals and other livestock arrive in excellent condition.
Shipping Costs
We recommend orders of $450 or more to qualify for free overnight shipping, allowing you to spend more on corals rather than shipping fees. For smaller orders, standard overnight shipping rates apply.
Shipping Schedule
Our shipping days are Monday through Friday:
- Orders placed on Monday ship on Tuesday and arrive on Wednesday.
- Orders placed on Thursday can ship on Friday with an additional $15 Saturday delivery fee, or will ship the following Monday for Tuesday delivery.
Pickup from UPS
For reduced transit stress, we recommend picking up your shipment at a UPS Customer Center. This minimizes temperature fluctuations and handling issues.
To opt for this, include the UPS location address in the comments during checkout.
Delivery Suggestions
To ensure the health of your shipment:
- Arrange for someone to be present at delivery to unpack the shipment promptly.
- Avoid leaving the package outside, especially during extreme weather conditions.
Leaving your package unattended may void our “Arrive Alive” guarantee.
Adding to Your Order
If you’ve forgotten something, no problem!
- Before shipment: Email us or place another order with a note to combine.
- After shipment: Unfortunately, we cannot add items to an order that has already shipped.