09/25/2026
Podlandia Invertebrate Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG)
Effective September 28, 2026
I take a lot of care in how live invertebrates leave Podlandia. Every shipment is coordinated in advance, and I will not knowingly send animals into unsafe conditions. I'm sharing these guidelines so everyone knows what to expect when arranging a live shipment with Podlandia.
LIVE SHIPPING
All live invertebrate shipments are arranged through ShipZeros using FedEx.
Available services are:
• FedEx Priority Overnight
• FedEx 2Day
Live shipments generally go out Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday shipping is available when using FedEx Priority Overnight.
I will contact you within 24 hours to coordinate shipping. Live shipments generally go out the following week unless we arrange otherwise.
WEATHER & TEMPERATURES
I monitor conditions at both the origin, hubs along the way, and destination before shipping.
• Podlandia will delay shipping when forecast temperatures at the origin, overnight hub, or destination are below 40°F or above 90°F. The shipment will be rescheduled once conditions are safe.
• When temperatures are below 45°F or above 85°F, hold-for-pickup at an approved FedEx location is required for Live Arrival Guarantee eligibility.
• Shipments may also be delayed when conditions along the route make travel unsafe, even if temperatures fall within the stated ranges.
The animals come first. If conditions aren't safe, we'll wait.
LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEE
Podlandia's Live Arrival Guarantee applies when the shipping and arrival requirements are followed.
For home delivery, someone must be available to accept the package on the carrier's first delivery attempt.
For hold-for-pickup shipments, the package must be collected within four hours of becoming available at the FedEx location.
If an animal arrives deceased (DOA), please contact me within four hours of delivery or pickup. Include clear photos and video showing the animal and its condition.
Bonus cultures and overcounts are not covered under the LAG.
Please retain the animal and all packaging until we've spoken.
Carrier delays do not automatically void the Live Arrival Guarantee. Coverage remains in effect if the other policy requirements have been met.
WHY THE FOUR-HOUR WINDOWS?
The four-hour pickup and reporting windows are separate and serve different purposes.
The pickup window begins when FedEx marks the package as available for collection. This limits the time live animals spend waiting at a carrier facility.
The DOA reporting window begins when you actually receive the package, whether through home delivery or pickup. This gives you time to open the shipment, carefully inspect the animals, give them a little time to acclimate, and document any concerns.
For example, if a package becomes available for pickup at 9 AM and you collect it at 11 AM, you have until 1 PM to pick it up under the policy, but until 3 PM to report a DOA.
AFTER ARRIVAL
Please open live shipments promptly and allow the animals to acclimate gradually. Avoid sudden or extreme temperature changes.
Isopods and springtails may hide in moss, substrate, leaf litter, or other packing material. Carefully inspect everything before assuming any animals are missing.
DRY GOODS & SLIME MOLD
Dry goods generally ship within two business days and will travel separately from live shipments requiring a separate shipping charge.
Live slime mold follows the Live Arrival Guarantee requirements above. Sclerotia is handled as a dry good.
A FINAL NOTE
Shipping live invertebrates requires flexibility. Weather changes, carrier delays happen, and sometimes the safest decision is simply to wait.
I'll communicate with you throughout the process and work with you to choose an appropriate shipping day and method. My priority is getting your animals to you safely.
Please review these requirements before arranging a live shipment with Podlandia. Questions about shipping or arrival procedures are always welcome but the best time to ask is BEFORE.
SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS
Podlandia does not ship to Florida, Hawaii, or Alaska. This restriction applies to all orders, including live invertebrates, slime mold, and dry goods.