🐠 Shipping & Delivery Policy

Welcome to Tropicflow Aquatic! We’re committed to delivering your live fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants safely and on time. Below is a simple guide to how we handle shipping, delivery, and care during transit.

📦 Shipping Schedule

We ship Monday through Wednesday each week (excluding federal holidays). This schedule helps prevent weekend transit delays and keeps your aquatic life safe.

❄️ Winter Shipping Priority (Cold-Region Customers – Please Read)

If you are in a cold-weather region (frequently below 50°F, especially near/under freezing) and you choose Standard Shipping, your order may enter a perpetual delay cycle during winter.

Why this happens:
Safe windows are short and inconsistent, and we ship by priority tier. Each week, we must clear all Next Day Air and Express / Weather-Protected orders first while the safe window is open. By the time we reach Standard orders, the safe window for Standard shipping may already have passed—so your order gets held again and can roll into a new cycle the following week.

Priority order in winter:

1. UPS Next Day Air (Overnight)
2. Express / Weather-Protected (2-Day)
3. Standard (USPS Priority Mail)

✅ If you’re in a cold region and want your order processed during winter, choose Express or Next Day Air at checkout.
If you stay on Standard, please understand that extended holds are possible and are not eligible for complimentary upgrades or compensation.

If conditions require a faster service to ship safely, we will offer:

• Upgrade to the required shipping tier, or
• Full refund if you prefer not to upgrade.

🧾 Order Confirmation & Tracking

• You’ll receive an order confirmation email immediately after checkout. Please ensure your email address is correct.
• Once your order ships, we’ll send a tracking number.
• Some carriers (especially USPS) may not update tracking until the package is “Out for Delivery,” even though it’s already in transit.

🚚 Shipping Methods

1️⃣ Standard Shipping (USPS Priority Mail)

• Used for most orders.
• Best for temperatures between 50°F–90°F.
• If USPS doesn’t deliver to your address, add a note at checkout: “Please ship via UPS.”
• If temperatures are unsafe, your shipment will be held, and you’ll receive an update email.
• PO Box deliveries usually experience minimal weather delays since packages stay indoors.

2️⃣ Express / Weather-Protected Shipping (USPS Priority or UPS 2-Day Air)

• Includes extra insulation and faster delivery for extreme temperatures (below 50°F or above 90°F).
• Recommended for high-value or weather-sensitive orders.
• Not guaranteed overnight but prioritized to reduce DOA risk.
• May experience short delays for new “U-Pick” releases or when restocking higher-quality fish.

3️⃣ Overnight Shipping (UPS Next Day Air)

• Available upon request.
• Required for larger or sensitive fish such as goldfish and flowerhorns.
• Typically ships on Wednesdays or as needed to avoid weekend holds.

🌦️ Weather-Related Delays

Your fish’s health always comes first. If there are extreme temperatures, storms, or natural disruptions, we may delay your shipment until it’s safe to send. You’ll receive an email update if this happens.

❤️ Our Promise

Each shipment is prepared with care using:

• Oxygenated bags
• Thermal insulation
• Heat or cold packs as needed

We truly appreciate your patience and understanding — it allows us to make sure every fish begins its new journey healthy and strong.

💬 Questions?

We’re always happy to help!
📩 Email: tropicflow@tropicflow.com
🌐 Website: www.Tropicflow.com