Shipping Policy

USPS Priority Mail (2-4 Day Delivery) 

The shipping cost for USPS Priority Mail is $14.99. This shipping method takes 2-4 business days from the ship date and is the most cost-effective option. Please note that USPS does not guarantee a specific delivery date, so your order may arrive any day from Tuesday through Friday, depending on the distance from the origin location. Orders placed with this shipping option will be shipped on Mondays (without exceptions) for delivery by Friday, unless there are any delays caused by USPS.

Please note we have a limited live arrival guarantee for USPS Priority shipments due to USPS restrictions. For boxes that are delivered after Thursday (or are in transit for longer the 4 days) we cannot offer an live arrival guarantee or DOA policy. 

UPS Next Day Air PM (Overnight Delivery PM) 

This shipping method is less cost-effective. The shipping cost is $34.99 for UPS Next Day Air PM. UPS guarantees next-day delivery by the end of the day. Next-day delivery is recommended during the winter months because the heat pack will remain active even if there is a 2-day delay.

Even in the case of lost or severely delayed shipments we will cover you under our DOA policy with any UPS Next Day Air shipping method, so long as you follow the other DOA claim requirements. 

UPS Next Day Air Early AM (Overnight Delivery AM)

This shipping method is less cost-effective, the shipping cost is $59.99 for UPS Next Day Air AM. However, UPS guarantees next-day delivery by 10:30 AM - 12 PM to most locations, making it ideal for individuals with tight schedules. Next-day delivery is particularly recommended during the winter months, as the heat pack will remain active even in the event of a 2-day delay.

Even in the case of lost or severely delayed shipments we will cover you under our DOA policy with any UPS Next Day Air shipping method, so long as you follow the other DOA claim requirements. 

Is Shipping Fish, Plants, and Invertebrates Safe?

In short, yes! Shipping fish, plants, and inverts is very safe and happens all over the world. Shipping is how fish, plants, and inverts get to all aquatic stores, how they enter the country, and, of course, how they get directly to most customers who purchase at Aqua Haven Aquatics! Of course, there are things like the method used, weather, and how the box is handled in transit, but we do everything possible with safe packaging to ensure safe arrival.

Are there age requirements for purchasing from Aqua Haven Aquatics? 

Yes, you must be 18 or older, or have permission from a parent/guardian to buy from our website. 

When will my items ship out? 

We ship fish on Monday of each week. We cannot hold fish or inverts for a specific date so do not order until you are ready and available to receive your fish or inverts. If you order, be prepared for your fish to ship on Monday if weather permits.
We reserve the right to hold your fish for shipping if we believe the weather is unsafe to ship in. 

Where do we ship our items?

We only ship to the US, excluding Hawaii, Alaska, Washington and US territories. We cannot ship fish internationally.

Should I quarantine my Fish, Plants and Inverts?

While we make every effort to ensure the health and quality of our products, we recommend implementing a brief quarantine period for any new items introduced into your aquarium. This practice is advisable regardless of the source of your fish, plants, or invertebrates. Additionally, we suggest treating plants with a hydrogen peroxide dip followed by a thorough rinse in freshwater or RODI water.

Do you offer cancellations or refunds on orders?

Buying any live animal is a serious matter, we do not offer returns on any live fish (or plants).  All cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Orders that have shipped cannot be canceled. Some exceptions can be made for limited situations if you wish to know more about this email customerservice@aquahavenaquatics.com

When shipping live fish, it is crucial to consider the temperatures involved, including both the delivery location and our origin temperatures. While we, as experts, will make the final decisions on shipping and determine the necessity of heat or cold packs, we kindly request our customers to check their local temperatures before placing an order for live fish.

Cold Weather Temperatures 

When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit as a low, we typically include a heat pack in the shipping box. However, this guideline may vary depending on our current temperatures and the high temperatures as well.

We utilize 72-hour UniHeat shipping warmers due to their extended lifespan and stable temperature (other warmers can spike up to 150 degrees and have less consistent temperatures throughout their lifespan).

• If your local temperatures reach below 34 degrees Fahrenheit as a low, we strongly recommend using UPS Next Day Air shipping methods exclusively.
  
  
• If your temperatures drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit as a low, please postpone your order for live fish or plants until warmer weather conditions prevail.

Warm Weather Shipping

Please be advised that shipping may be restricted during the late spring and summer months due to temperature considerations.

For areas with high temperatures exceeding 85 degrees Fahrenheit, we strongly recommend utilizing UPS Next Day Air methods for shipping.

In cases where high temperatures surpass 95 degrees Fahrenheit shipping will be postponed for these items.

If your region experiences temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, we kindly request that you postpone your order for live fish or plants until the weather conditions become more favorable.

Heat and Cold Pack Info

Aqua Haven Aquatics will determine whether heat packs or cold packs are necessary for shipping, and they will be included at no additional charge.

Cold packs are only used with tropical fish when the origin is above safe shipping temperatures. Since they will melt before arriving at the destination, they cannot be used to help for delivery in a very hot location.

Shipping Boxes

We ship in boxes insulated with 1" thick polystyrene foam to help protect against temperature fluctuations in cold or hot weather. With Heat Or Cold packs and premium bags depending on the item/items.