Shipping Info
Tropical Fish and Coral Shipping Policy
Section 1: Free Shipping
Shipping Rates
We offer flat-rate overnight shipping based on your order total and location.
Outside California:
- Orders over $100: $39.99 for standard overnight shipping.
- Orders under $100: $50.00 for standard overnight shipping.
California Orders:
- Orders over $100: $29.99 for standard overnight shipping.
- Orders under $100: $39.00 for standard overnight shipping.
Additional overnight shipping must be requested in advance and carries an extra fee.
Free shipping applies to orders over $350.00.
Exclusions
Free shipping does not apply to:
- Saturday deliveries
- Live sales
- Flash sales
Section 2: Live Sales and Flash Sale Policy
Customers may purchase a maximum of three (3) special-deal items, such as $1 or $5 offers, during each live sale or flash sale.
Discounts, store credits, and gift certificates are not valid during live sales or flash sales.
Section 3: Shipping Schedule
Shipments are processed Monday through Friday.
Friday shipments arriving on Saturday incur an additional $25 fee.
Customers must arrange their preferred arrival date by phone or email.
A minimum order of $100.00, excluding shipping, is required for all shipped orders. This minimum does not apply to local pickup.
Section 4: Combining Orders/Shipping
Website Orders:
If you purchase live goods and dry goods in the same order, you will receive two separate shipping charges because the items ship from different warehouse facilities.
If you place a second order on our website after shipping has already been paid, additional shipping fees will apply.
Section 5: Shipping Carrier and Service
All orders are shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight.
Delivery Times:
- Typically before 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m. local time.
- Delivery times vary in rural areas.
A signature is not required for delivery.
Customers will receive an email with a FedEx tracking number by 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time (9:30 p.m. Eastern Time) on the day of shipment.
Section 6: FedEx Hold for Pickup (Recommended)
We recommend FedEx Hold for Pickup for improved coral safety and earlier access to your shipment.
- Packages are available earlier in the day.
- They are kept in a climate-controlled facility, avoiding temperature changes inside delivery trucks.
Please check your local FedEx facility’s pickup times before choosing this option.
Section 7: Bagging and Packaging Process
- Each coral is checked for health before packaging.
- Corals are bagged in clear plastic bags and labeled with coral identification numbers matching the invoice.
- Bags are sealed with high-quality plastic clips to prevent leaks.
- Each coral is verified and checked off by our shipping team.
- Items are grouped into larger bags and placed in a Styrofoam-lined box. Box size varies.
- Packing peanuts are used to secure the contents.
- Depending on the weather, a heat pack, an ice pack, or neither is added for temperature control.
Section 8: Live Arrival Guarantee and DOA Policy
Tropical Fish and Coral guarantee live arrival on all coral shipments.
In the rare event of a DOA (Dead on Arrival):
- Email clear photos within two hours of delivery to sales@tropicalfishandcoral.com.
- Refunds are not issued; replacements are provided with future orders.
- Replacement shipping costs are paid by the customer.
Section 9: Guarantee Limitations
The live arrival guarantee is void if:
- Delivery is refused.
- No one is available to receive the package.
- The package is not picked up from the FedEx facility within six hours of arrival.
Tropical Fish and Coral is not responsible for delays caused by weather, mechanical issues, or FedEx service disruptions.
Section 10: Additional Terms and Conditions
- Corals can be held for up to two weeks with prior arrangements.
- After that period, Tropical Fish and Coral is not responsible for the corals.
- The minimum order value for shipping is $100.00, excluding shipping charges.
- Tropical Fish and Coral is not responsible for incorrect addresses provided by customers.
- Shipping fees are nonrefundable.
- A 20% restocking fee applies to canceled orders.