Subject: ShipYourReptiles.com – temporarily stop snake shipping
From: “Robyn Markland” <robyn@allproshipping.com>
Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 05:43:59 +1000

Hi there,

Due to some irresponsible shippers, UPS has directed our customers to temporarily stop shipping snakes with ShipYourReptiles.com.

We are working hard to reinstate safe snake shipping for our customers and the entire reptile community.

Other types of UPS-approved non-venomous reptiles — including geckos, lizards and turtles — may be shipped with ShipYourReptiles.com.

To make your shipments easy, we recommend you drop off your packages at a Staples or Office Depot shipping counter.

We will keep you updated on this matter.

Thanks for your patience and support,

– Robyn and the ShipYourReptiles.com team

Was their ever a snake shipping exemption that was to be used in the manner SYR was using it? We don’t know and probably will never know. SYR refused and still refuses to provide proof of the waiver. What are the users of SYR supposed to think now that UPS has revoked the supposed snake shipping exemption? Do they really buy the “Due to some irresponsible shippers” line? We do not believe that UPS revoked the exemption waiver because of a few bad apples. If this was the case, UPS wouldn’t be negotiating a contract with another reptile shipping system that will be released within the next few months.

SYR can’t even bring themselves to educate their users on Federal labeling requirements! Their video fails to explain that you are required to label the outside of the box and include a detailed packing list with the shipment. Their have been several accusations by customers that SYR employees tell them to lie about the contents of the package (invertebrates and plants are popular suggestions). Perhaps this is why the exemption has been revoked? Really, it’s all speculation at this point. Unless UPS makes a public statement, we’ll never know.

As far as the other UPS reptile shipping system mentioned…We hope to be able to get a sneak peek of it before it launches. We’re very excited about it because it’s being done the right way. Legit contracts are being required and a waiver is being provided for shippers to include with their shipments. We have also viewed a portion of the actual waiver regarding shipping snakes (unlike SYR). We’ll be sure to make a post when more information is provided…We hope to have something for everyone very soon!