Shipping policy

Livestock Shipping

Top Shelf Aquatics ships all livestock using FedEx Priority Overnight to ensure the safest possible transit time for live animals. Livestock shipping is $39.99 for out-of-state orders and $34.99 for Florida (in-state) orders. Orders with $299 or more in livestock qualify for free overnight shipping.

Orders are shipped Monday – Thursday only to avoid animals being held in transit over the weekend.

 

Shipping Schedule

  • The delivery calendar during checkout determines the arrival date of your livestock order. The order will not ship until a date is selected. 

Most FedEx Priority Overnight shipments are delivered by 10:30 AM local time, though some remote areas may receive delivery later in the day.


Packing & Handling

We use specialized packing materials and insulation methods designed to ensure the safe transport of live animals, including temperature control and secure containment.


Dead on Arrival (DOA) Policy

In the unlikely event of a DOA (Dead on Arrival):

  • A DOA request must be submitted within 2 hours of delivery based on the FedEx posted delivery time.
  • Clear photos of the livestock in the original bag and outside the bag may be required for verification.
  • Once the claim is reviewed and approved, we will issue either a replacement or store credit.

Store credit does not include the cost of shipping, and refunds are not issued on livestock or shipping charges.


Additional Shipping Notes

  • Top Shelf Aquatics cannot be held responsible for carrier mechanical failures, delays, or weather-related shipping disruptions, though we will work with customers when possible to help resolve issues.
  • Customers are responsible for providing the correct shipping address at checkout. We are not responsible for delays or losses due to incorrect addresses.
  • We do not ship livestock outside of the 48 Contiguous United States.

 

Aquarium Supplies

Top Shelf has excellent shipping rates, but what is TSAXPRESS exactly? TSAXPRESS is a shipping option applied to any cart that has aquarium supplies with a total value of $49.99 or more. Carts with an aquarium supplies value of $49.99 or more will receive free ground shipping. Carts with an aquarium supplies value of $399 or more ship FEDEX Express OVERNIGHT FREE.

Orders will ship same day if received before 2pm EST Monday – Thursday. If received on Friday or after 2pm EST they will ship on the next business day. Friday shipments will be delivered on Monday, not Saturday.


Shipping Qualifications

  • When purchasing aquarium supplies valued at $49 or more, you will qualify for free Ground Shipping.
  • When purchasing aquarium supplies valued at $399 or more, you will qualify for free FedEx Priority Overnight, unless it’s a Drop Ship item or Special Order item.
  • Express Orders will ship the same day if received before 2 pm EST Monday - Friday. If received after 3 pm EST, they will ship on the next business day.
  • Ground Orders may take up to 48–72 hours to process (approximately 2–3 business days).
  • Freight & Drop Shipments, such as larger tanks, sumps, and tank systems, do not qualify for free shipping and are indicated as freight or drop shipping in the product description.

 

Aquarium Shipping & Processing Times

Aquariums are typically processed within 1–3 business days and generally take 2–4 weeks for delivery unless otherwise noted on the product description page. Some models may have extended lead times depending on manufacturer inventory and freight scheduling.

Once an aquarium order has been submitted to the manufacturer for processing, it generally cannot be canceled. If a cancellation is approved after submission, there may be cancellation fees ranging from 10% of the order total up to $500 depending on the manufacturer’s policy. These fees are determined by the manufacturer and are non-refundable.

 

Aquarium Deliveries

Aquarium deliveries must be inspected at the time of arrival. Any damage must be reported within 24 hours of receipt. We cannot accept claims for shipping damage reported outside of this window.

If a freight shipment is not accepted at the time of delivery, the following carrier fees may apply:

  • $50 per day storage/hold fee while the freight carrier holds the shipment
  • $150 reroute fee + additional freight cost if the shipment must be redirected to another destination
  • $500 return-to-sender fee if the shipment must be returned to the origin facility

These fees are charged by the freight carriers and will be passed through to the customer if incurred.


Additional Shipping Notes

Non-overnight packages will be shipped with the most economical method but for your reference generally follows these guidelines:

  • Packages under 1 lb are likely to be shipped USPS First Class Mail
  • Packages under 10 lbs may ship FedEx or UPS Ground
  • Express Packages will ship FedEx

We do not ship aquarium supplies outside of the Lower 48 US States.

Freight, Drop Shipments, and Special Orders, such as larger tanks and sumps, do not qualify and are indicated as freight or drop shipping in the product description. Free shipping promotion for a limited time only. It does not apply to expedited shipment methods, frozen foods, PO Boxes, or orders outside the contiguous US.


Offer valid only in the 48 Contiguous United States.