Shipping policy

Carrier & Packaging

All livestock orders are securely dispatched via UPS Next Day Air inside heavy-duty insulated containers equipped with seasonal heat or ice packs as needed.

Shipping Days

We dispatch Monday through Wednesday for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday arrival. You choose your exact delivery date in your cart before checking out.

Order Cut-Off Time

All live orders must be placed by the cut-off time of 6:00 PM EST for next-day overnight live delivery.

Delivery Schedule & Restrictions

• Standard Delivery: Deliveries typically arrive before noon, though rural locations may extend up to 7:00 PM.
• Geographic Restrictions: We ship exclusively to the 48 continental United States and Washington DC. We do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories (including Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands), military APO/FPO addresses, PO Boxes, or PMBs.
• Delivery Security: Packages are shipped exclusively to the address entered at checkout unless alternative arrangements are confirmed beforehand via email. Local pickup in New Jersey is available by appointment.

Order Minimum

A minimum purchase of $60 applies to all orders placed through the website. If you would like to arrange a local pickup below this amount, please contact us directly.

Live Shipping Rates

• Standard Flat Rate: $44.99 for delivery across the continental United States.
• Regional Flat Rate: $28.99 for orders shipping to New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
• Free Livestock Shipping: Unlocked automatically on orders of $329 or more. Gift cards and store credit are applied as payment and do not count toward this total.

Dry Goods & Equipment Shipping

• Aquarium supplies ship free. Items ordered alongside livestock are packed into the same shipment at no additional cost, and dry-goods-only orders ship free as well.
• Aquarium Lighting, Powerheads, Return Pumps, and Protein Skimmers ship directly from our wholesale distributor at no shipping cost to you. These items are never packed with live orders.

Arrive Alive & DOA Policy

Our Guarantee

We proudly guarantee that every coral and invertebrate will arrive alive, healthy, and ready to thrive.

Reporting Window

If a specimen arrives dead, you must email our team within 2 hours of the official UPS recorded delivery timestamp.

Photo Requirements

Submissions require clear photographs of the deceased specimen inside the sealed original bag (with the seal clearly visible) and out of the bag.

Delivery Presence

The buyer must be present to accept the initial delivery attempt; missed deliveries immediately void all DOA coverage.

Resolution

Validated claims are eligible for a replacement or store credit toward future orders (original shipping costs are non-refundable).

Please note that carrier delivery timelines cannot be strictly guaranteed due to unforeseen weather or mechanical transit delays, though we are always committed to working with you to resolve any issues.

Questions?

Need help with an order? Email us at info@thetwincoralsshop.com.