UPS pet shipping does not cover dogs, cats or any other mammal, and it doesn’t cover birds. UPS accepts only animals on its published accepted list, mainly fish, amphibians, certain reptiles and selected invertebrates, and only on a service that guarantees next-day delivery, packed and labeled to UPS’s live-animal rules.
This guide explains which animals UPS accepts, which it refuses, the packaging and labeling rules, the special rule for bees, and what pet owners can do instead when the animal is a dog or cat.
Which Animals Can UPS Ship?
UPS works from an allow-list: any animal that isn’t specifically on its accepted live-animals list is prohibited and won’t be accepted. For U.S. domestic shipments, the accepted list includes:
| Group | Accepted examples | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Fish | All fish | Watertight, temperature-stable packing |
| Amphibians | Frogs, toads, salamanders | Moisture-retaining, water-resistant packing |
| Lizards | Chameleons, geckos and other listed species | Breathable inner containment |
| Turtles | Turtles and tortoises | Snapping turtles excluded |
| Snakes | Non-venomous snakes | Contract shippers only |
| Invertebrates | Crustaceans, mollusks, cephalopods, worms | Species-appropriate packing |
| Insects | Beneficial insects only, such as bees, butterflies, crickets and ladybugs | Bees ship by Ground only, under the one-day rule below |
International live-animal shipments with UPS require an International Special Commodities contract, so the list above applies to domestic shipping.
Which Animals Does UPS Refuse?
Because the list is an allow-list, everything most people think of as a pet is excluded. That includes:
- All mammals: dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets and livestock
- All birds: parrots, poultry and songbirds
- Venomous animals: venomous snakes and other venomous species
- Insects that aren’t beneficial: pest species are not on the list
- Endangered or threatened species: check the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists before shipping any wild-caught or exotic species
UPS treats a package containing a live animal as perishable and accepts it solely at the shipper’s risk for loss or damage caused by that perishable nature. An animal that isn’t on the accepted list can be refused at the counter or stopped in transit.
Which UPS Service Do Live Animals Require?
UPS accepts live animals only on a service that guarantees next-day delivery, which in practice means UPS Next Day Air shipping. Our guide to UPS shipping rates explains how air pricing is built, and the ParcelPath rate calculator shows live Next Day Air rates for your box.
Timing rules matter as much as the service. UPS won’t accept live-animal shipments on Fridays, or on the day before a holiday at the origin or destination, so a package can’t sit in a facility over a weekend or holiday. Check the UPS holiday schedule before you book.
How Must Live Animals Be Packed for UPS?
UPS’s packaging rules for live animals are strict:
- New box every time: each animal shipment must go in a new box.
- Box strength: corrugated boxes must be at least 275-pound bursting strength or 44 ECT (edge crush test).
- Moisture protection: water-resistant or plastic-coated corrugate is recommended for animals that need moisture, such as amphibians and fish.
- Containment and air: use escape-proof inner containers and ventilation suited to the species, so the animal can’t get loose or be injured.
Size limits still apply to the outer box. Our guide to UPS size and weight limits covers the maximum dimensions. For sourcing boxes, insulation and fill, our shipping resources library collects packaging guides.
How should a live-animal box be labeled?
Mark the carton “LIVE ANIMALS” in bold block letters at least one inch high on two opposite sides. The marking tells handlers what’s inside, so the box isn’t stacked under heavy freight or left in a hot or cold area.
Can UPS Ship Live Bees?
Yes, but only by ground. UPS stopped accepting package bees on its air services on January 1, 2021. It still accepts them by UPS Ground where the transit time between the origin and destination ZIP codes is no more than one day.
That one-day rule limits bee shipments to nearby destinations. Check the Ground transit time between the two ZIP codes before you commit to a shipment.
Are There Extra Rules for Shipping Animals to Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii regulates animal imports closely, and many species, including turtles and tortoises, need a state import permit or are restricted. Packages can also be held for state agricultural inspection, which can push delivery past the next-day commitment. Check the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s requirements before shipping any animal there.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Live Animal With UPS?
Because UPS requires a next-day service, live-animal shipments are priced at overnight air rates rather than Ground rates, and the size of the box drives the billed weight. Our guide to the cost of shipping live animals breaks down the factors across carriers.
If the species and packaging qualify under UPS’s rules, ParcelPath offers up to 85% off UPS rates, free, with no subscription or per-label fee. Confirm with UPS that your shipment is acceptable before you buy the label, especially for snakes, which require a UPS contract.
Shops that sell aquarium fish, feeder insects or reptiles online can manage those orders alongside regular parcels; our eCommerce shipping guide covers platform integrations and rates.
How Can You Ship a Dog or Cat if UPS Won’t?
For mammals, the realistic options are airline pet programs (in-cabin or cargo, depending on the airline and the animal’s size) and professional pet transport companies that drive animals door to door with trained handlers. Airlines generally require a health certificate and advance booking.
USPS is not an alternative for dogs and cats either, though it accepts a narrow set of live animals, such as bees and day-old poultry, under its own rules and mailing conditions. Those shipments typically travel by fast mail classes; our guide to how long USPS Priority Mail takes shows typical transit times. For other carrier and specialty options, see our list of the best shipping services and solutions.
For other UPS policy questions, our UPS frequently asked questions guide and the UPS shipping hub are the best places to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UPS ship dogs and cats?
No. UPS pet shipping excludes all mammals, including dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters, and it excludes all birds. UPS accepts only animals on its published accepted list, such as fish, amphibians, certain reptiles and beneficial insects. To move a dog or cat, use an airline pet program or a professional pet transport company instead.
What animals can UPS ship?
UPS accepts fish, amphibians such as frogs and salamanders, lizards such as geckos and chameleons, turtles other than snapping turtles, non-venomous snakes for contract shippers only, crustaceans, mollusks, worms and beneficial insects. Anything not on UPS’s accepted live-animals list is prohibited, and international live-animal shipments require a UPS special commodities contract.
What UPS service is required for live animals?
UPS accepts live animals only on a service that guarantees next-day delivery, such as UPS Next Day Air. Shipments can’t be tendered on a Friday or on the day before a holiday at the origin or destination. The one exception is package bees, which ship by UPS Ground only where transit takes no more than one day.
How do you label a UPS live animal package?
Mark the box “LIVE ANIMALS” in bold block letters at least one inch high on two opposite sides. The box itself must be new and made of corrugate rated at least 275-pound bursting strength or 44 ECT, with water-resistant material recommended for animals that need moisture.
Sources
- UPS: How to Ship Plants and Live Animals
- UPS: Holiday Schedule
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Endangered and threatened species lists
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture: Animal import requirements
Part of our UPS Services guide. Related: UPS Size and Weight Limits, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS Next Day Air Shipping.
