SHIPPING & PACKAGING FAQ

How we get live coral from our systems to your reef alive, on time, and in better condition than the day we packed it.

How does REEF JASE ship live corals?

Every order ships by FedEx or UPS Priority Overnight in an insulated box with heat or cold packs sized to the route and forecast. Frags are bagged in oxygenated tank water, double-bagged, and braced so nothing shifts. We ship Monday through Thursday only.

When do orders ship?

Monday through Thursday for next-day delivery. The cutoff is 11:59 PM PST the day before a ship day — we do not dispatch same-day. That cutoff sets the earliest your order can go out, not a guaranteed ship date: an order placed any time Monday can ship Tuesday at the soonest, for Wednesday delivery. Actual dispatch runs 1–3 business days, pending the safety and weather check. We do not ship weekends or US federal holidays.

Do I have to choose a delivery date?

No — picking a date is optional. Use the scheduler to preview safe ship dates for your ZIP and request one, or skip it. If you do not pick a date, we ship at our earliest convenience and stay in contact with you about it, so you are never guessing when the box is coming.

Why don’t you usually ship for Friday delivery?

Friday is the riskiest delivery day of the week. Unless a delivery date has specifically been set for Friday, we generally will not ship for it — and when we do, it is because FedEx operations and the weather have both looked decent all week. If a Friday shipment gets delayed, the coral sits in a facility until Monday, which is a 100% mortality rate. We would rather hold the box for the next safe window.

What if the weather is too hot or too cold in my area?

We weather-gate every shipment. If destination forecast highs are below 35°F or above 95°F on the planned ship day, we hold the order and reschedule for the next safe window. Preview ship dates for your ZIP at /pages/shipping-weather.

How much does shipping cost?

Free on orders of $249 or more within the continental US. Orders below that ship for a flat $49 priority overnight rate — insulated box, heat or cold pack sized to the route, carrier insurance, and our 72-hour live arrival guarantee.

Do you ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or internationally?

No. REEF JASE ships only to the continental United States. Live coral transit requires next-morning delivery and tight temperature control, which we cannot guarantee outside the contiguous 48 states.

Will my coral be okay if it is left in transit overnight?

Packaging is engineered for one overnight in transit, tested in the harshest temperature windows we will ship in. If a carrier delay extends transit beyond one overnight, contact us — our 72-hour live arrival guarantee covers losses.

Can I request a specific delivery date?

Yes. Use the form at /pages/shipping-weather to request a delivery date based on your ZIP forecast. Your email client will open pre-filled, and Jase will confirm or suggest the nearest safe alternative.

What happens to my package once it arrives?

Plan to be home and ready to acclimate on arrival. Do not let the box sit outside or in a hot vehicle. Open immediately, follow the steps at /pages/acclimating-corals, and photograph anything wrong before discarding packaging.