Shipping mantis

Connor · Dec 7, 2017

So I’ve shipped multiple shipments now but every so often that I hand over the package someone asks about what I am shipping. How do I respond to this? I’ve said before I was shipping like materials or food but that always leaves the USPS guy confused. Am I able to tell them live insects or will they not accept it?

Aristalochia · Dec 7, 2017

No one needs to know whats inside. Its not even legal to send seeds in the mail, let alone live bugs, especially not foreign species. When I was younger I made the mistake of being too honest with a curious/nosey mail employee and was informed that my shipment wouldnt be allowed. I'd recommend you dont share too much information with anyone who doesn't need to know. I also know of some people who do write things like 'live bugs' on packages, some even being called bugman by their shippers. I guess it depends where you are but discretion is safest.

Connor · Dec 7, 2017

@Aristalochia Well I looked up USPS laws and live non-venomous insects are allowed. Though I’m not sure about non-native species laws so im going to try and not tell them. Just sent a shipment out and told them it was “fragile materials” then she was confused and asked again so I just said it was something that could not get too cold. I guess she was satisfied by that. Need a better system though.

Aristalochia · Dec 7, 2017

Oh, okay cool. Yeah, I just say I'm sending toys or something generic.

Aquaticcreature · Dec 7, 2017

You could also say that you are shipping plants. I used to ship carnivorous plants a lot and never had a problem. Sometimes they would ask if I wanted to write "live plants" on the box. I usually didn't. You only really have to disclose if it has dangerous or restricted items.