At Nor Cal Corals, we prioritize the well-being of our livestock during shipping to ensure they arrive alive and healthy at your doorstep. This page outlines our packaging, shipping methods, rates, and options. Please note we ship to all US states except Hawaii due to their livestock importation restrictions. Unfortunately, we do not ship to Guam, Puerto Rico, other US territories, or internationally.
Our Packing Process
After selecting the animals in your order for shipment, they are carefully placed in new seawater with optimal pH and specific gravity, inside multiple poly bags with thick liners to minimize the risk of punctures or leaks. The bags are filled and sealed airtight. They are then placed inside insulated coolers to maintain stable temperature during transit. Depending on the season, warmers or ice packs are used to counter extreme temperatures. This cooler is then placed in a corrugated cardboard box, properly labelled, and shipped via next day air to reach you the following day.
Shipping Costs
We understand that overnight shipping can be costly, and hence we suggest that your order reaches $450 to reach free shipping. This way, you can spend more on purchasing beautiful corals instead of shipping costs.
Shipping Schedule
We ship orders 5 times a week, from Monday through Friday. If you place an order on a Monday, it will be shipped on Tuesday, and you will receive it on Wednesday. However, if you place an order on Thursday, you will either have to pay for Saturday delivery, or your order will be shipped on Monday, to be received on Tuesday. An extra fee of $15.00 applies for Saturday delivery if available.
Pickup from UPS
We highly recommend that you pick up your shipment at your local UPS Customer Center, as this reduces stress on your livestock due to temperature variations and rough handling. If this suits your preference, mention it in the comments box during checkout and provide the address of your preferred pickup facility.
Delivery Suggestions
Please ensure that someone is at home to sign for and unpack your order promptly, especially during extreme weather conditions. Leaving the package outside for extended periods can be detrimental to the corals and may void the “Arrive Alive” guarantee.
Adding to your order
If you’ve forgotten to add something to your order, feel free to email us or place another order and mention your request to combine it with a previous one. However, note that we won’t be able to add items if your order has already shipped.