Advice on posting tarantulas

[Gizalba]

Hi,

I am preparing my mature male A. avic to go on a date, however I have never posted a tarantula before and I am very nervous. I get scared even posting letters, so posting a live animal is possibly bringing out my OCD. He is going to ilovebrachys who has given me awesome detailed instructions on creating the core of the packaging and getting him into the moist padded vial, so that is sorted. However I wondered if anyone had any general advice about posting, how many boxes within a box to use and what to write on the package?

I have received all of my 60 tarantulas through the post and touch wood all have arrived fine, so I guess with next day special delivery it should be okay, but I am particularly worried about the parcel being thrown about/falling. Some packages have had 'live invertebrates, handle with care' written on, or 'live animals'. I wondered if it is best to write this on or not? I worry that 'invertebrates' might make people assume insects and then if they are scared of them at all, more likely to throw it. Or if they have knowledge of feeders they could think it is just some roaches or something and be more careless. I have also ordered some 'fragile tape' and wondered whether to just put that on and 'please handle with care', in order to not cause any alarm?

 

[Lawrence b]

All I put on there is the address to send to , my post code and the number I live at on the underside just incase . I sent a few thing through post I get worried too but RMSD gets tracked you should be safe .

 

[Gizalba]

Okay, Royal Mail says the following under 'prohibited and restricted items', so I guess technically I need to write 'URGENT - LIVING CREATURE - HANDLE WITH CARE'.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know which spiders are included in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act and banned by royal mail? Is it things like black widows and funnel webs? I can't seem to find a list.


'Live creatures, insects and invertebrates

Including bees, caterpillars, cockroaches, crickets, destroyers of noxious pests, earthworms, leeches and other parasites, lugworms, maggots, mealworms, pupae and chrysalides, rag worms, silkworms, spiders and stick insects. Dead insects, sent as collectables, are allowed.

UK & International destinations - Allowed in the mail, with restrictions and packaging guidelines below:​

• Inner packaging
• • Any internal packaging materials must be based on the requirements of the live creatures, insects and invertebrates, taking into consideration the necessary humane care they require while in transportation
• Outer Packaging
• • Must be constructed to protect, keep safe and securely contain live creatures, insects and invertebrates.
  • Must be constructed to prevent escape and to preclude the container and its contents from being crushed in normal handling
  • Any outer packaging containing live creatures, insects and invertebrates requiring moisture during transportation must be constructed of water resistant material.
• Security and Ventilation
• • Containers must be constructed to prevent the escape of the live creatures, insects and invertebrates and must always provide adequate ventilation.
• Posting and Markings
• • 1st Class must be used as the minimum service.
  • Items must be clearly marked 'URGENT - LIVING CREATURES - HANDLE WITH CARE'.
  • The sender's name and address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.
  • Returns can only be sent using Royal Mail Tracked Returns® and Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed Returns®. All variants of Business Response and Freepost are excluded.

Creatures or insects classified as dangerous within the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (including certain venomous spiders).

• International destinations - Not allowed in the mail
• UK destinations - Not allowed in the mail'