Response in Shipping Tarantulas

[Tapahtyn]

I hope Kenthebugguy reads this. Received a letter from my state rep Roy Blunt of Missouri. We can do this guys!!! Lets keep pressing on about changing this for our hobbies and businesses!!!!:clap: :clap:

 

[Smitty78]

Can you post the letter?

 

[rasputin]

Can you post the letter?

I 2nd this request. This sounds like a good thing! Anything for the progress of the hobby.

How did you go about talking to your state rep - not so much how, but rather, how did this subject matter come up and how did you address it?

 

[Tapahtyn]

It doesn't say a whole lot but at least I got his attention!!

 

[Tapahtyn]

Ken had a great write up to send to the USPS and your rep so I can't remember the thread

 

[rasputin]

Hmm, logic would state that if everyone started writing their reps then all the reps will be sitting around talking about these letters requesting that the USPS clear live invertebrates and then maybe they'll do something. Makes sense, and I knew that but never really aplied much thought to it until just now.

Kudos for actually taking that step.

 

[Exo]

Is it illegal to ship Ts in the mail or something? :?

 

[Tapahtyn]

yep for the most part

 

[rasputin]

Is it illegal to ship Ts in the mail or something? :?

Technically, it's not - but it is against USPS regulations, for shagrins I actually went to the automated scale last wk and entered that I was shipping a tarantula when it gave me a list of things as an inquiry and the machine told me everything it could without cussing - those machines are really polite.

 

[Exo]

So how come bit-time invert dealers don't get in trouble for shipping stuff? I wouldn't think that it would be hard for the USPS to figure out what they are putting in their boxes.

 

[rasputin]

So how come bit-time invert dealers don't get in trouble for shipping stuff? I wouldn't think that it would be hard for the USPS to figure out what they are putting in their boxes.

Just ...::smile::... & ...::nod::... and look the other way before you attract too much attention :evil:

 

[Exo]

Just ...::smile::... & ...::nod::... and look the other way before you attract too much attention :evil:

What do you mean attract atention? People mail inverts all the time, just look at the for sale section.

 

[codykrr]

man truth be told, i know quite a few postal workers who i openly discuss the shippment of my inverts with..they said it didnt bother them..they are acually glad to help me ship stuff. and usually help make sure the box arrives well as much as they can.

i bet to be honest, they have much worse things to worry about in the mail...IE anthrax, drugs, laundered money, and lots more. i mean yeah there is always the one worker who takes his job to serious. but thats every work place.

technically is isnt "illegal" persay, but since the post office is a federally related thing. im sure something could happen if they wanted to investigate.

most of the time if i mail out of a springfield office, there kinda jerks, so i tell them its chocolate. or say nothing at all.

also moonkin, glad roy could acually take time to sign what his secratary wrote up for him. but belive it or not he is acually in springfield quite often. my sister who works at hickory hills golf club has served his "party " many times before. maybe she could have a face to face conversation with him? she likes Ts too.

anyway while i dont ship much, i still find it better to be honest to what is in the mail. and just think, if it is so easy to ship spiders, not telling how many drugs go through there

 

[rasputin]

Cody,

My favorite interaction with a postman came earlier this year because I was getting t's in and parts for my '48 Chevy and as he's carying up a breaking box with racing brakes in it - he asked me what was up with all the packages I've been getting...oh man, the many possible responses that ran through my head. I just told him that he was carrying some racing brakes for my truck and sent him on his way to avoid getting into detail about some of the packages.

 

[YellowBrickRoad]

Where exactly does it say in USPS regulations that you can't ship Tarantula/spider/inverts???

 

[codykrr]

yeah, it happens. but here is a thing to remember. post works have high suicide rates, as with dentists..most hate there job and could truely care less. my wife and I have a friend who is a post worker. and the only thing he said would really bug him about it was if it got out. he didnt ask bout venom, U hairs or nothing..just worried about a simple phobia. so i decided id show him how they are packed and i quote " well thats not so bad,I thought they would be running around in the box"

so i belive maybe once day we could persuade them into letting us ship our Ts. but there will be "shipping requirements" probly extra handling cost, and an inspection of the goods.

 

[rasputin]

so i belive maybe once day we could persuade them into letting us ship our Ts. but there will be "shipping requirements" probly extra handling cost, and an inspection of the goods.

The USPS has a "special handling" thing where you can ship animals but it's pretty tight and express is two day and they make no guarantees. What we need to do is convince them that everything is safe and sound. Of course, starting at the highest levels and working our way down helps get the attention we need to press our cause.

 

[Ictinike]

Where exactly does it say in USPS regulations that you can't ship Tarantula/spider/inverts???

USPS Mailing Regulations
http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#wp1103548

8.5 Harmful Matter—General

Except as provided in this document, any article, composition, or material is nonmailable if it can kill or injure another or injure the mail or other property. Harmful matter includes, but is not limited to:

a. All types and classes of poisons, including controlled substances.

b. All poisonous animals except scorpions mailed for medical research purposes or for the manufacture of antivenom; all poisonous insects; all poisonous reptiles; and all types of snakes, turtles, and spiders.

c. All disease germs or scabs.

d. All explosives, flammable material, infernal machines, and mechanical, chemical, or other devices or compositions that may ignite or explode

 

[rasputin]

USPS Mailing Regulations
http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#wp1103548

I like section "c," apparently someone sent scabs for them to have such a rule - Exo, I'll trade you a scab for something oh man, I crack myself up!

 

[Ictinike]

I like section "c," apparently someone sent scabs for them to have such a rule - Exo, I'll trade you a scab for something oh man, I crack myself up!

LOL I know.. Disease Germs -or- Scabs.. Scabs?

How would YOU be the guy that opened that package up and went `No, just NO.. No SCABS can be mailed.. Nope, never.. `