Shipping & Arrive Alive Guarantee

At Golden State Corals, every livestock order is carefully packed with the health of the animals as our first priority. We monitor weather conditions, use appropriate insulation and temperature control when necessary, and ship using FedEx or UPS overnight service.

Because live-animal shipping conditions can vary by destination and season, we may recommend a particular carrier, hold-for-pickup location, or shipping date when we believe it provides a safer trip for your livestock.

Shipping Rates

Orders $300+ — FREE Shipping

Orders $100–$299 — $40

Orders $1–$99 — $60

California Shipping

Orders $300+ — FREE Shipping

Orders $100–$299 — $25

Orders $1–$99 — $30

California orders are subject to applicable sales tax.

Shipping Method

All livestock orders are shipped using FedEx or UPS overnight service.

We select the carrier based on the destination, current service availability, weather conditions, and the shipping option we believe is best for your order.

Tracking information will be provided once your order has shipped.

Shipping Schedule

Livestock orders are generally shipped Monday through Thursday for next-day delivery.

Saturday delivery may be available by request and may require an additional fee.

If you need your order to arrive on a particular day, please contact us before placing your order or leave a note during checkout. We will do our best to accommodate requested delivery dates.

Shipping During Extreme Weather

The health of your livestock comes first. We monitor weather conditions at both our location and the destination and may recommend adjusting your shipping date when extreme temperatures or severe weather could put an order at unnecessary risk.

During periods of extreme heat or cold, we strongly recommend having your order held for pickup at an eligible FedEx or UPS location whenever possible.

Holding a package for pickup can significantly reduce the amount of time your livestock spends on a delivery vehicle and allows the package to remain at a more controlled location until you can retrieve it.

If you'd like your shipment held for pickup, please contact us before shipping so we can help determine whether an eligible location is available near you.

Receiving Your Order

We recommend that someone be available to receive your shipment and bring it indoors as soon as possible after delivery.

A signature is not generally required unless specifically arranged.

If your shipment is being held at a FedEx or UPS location, please pick it up as soon as possible after it becomes available.

Please double-check your shipping address before submitting your order. Golden State Corals cannot be responsible for delays or losses resulting from incorrect or incomplete shipping information.

Arrive Alive Guarantee

We take great care in selecting, conditioning, packing, and shipping our livestock, and we stand behind every animal we send.

In the unlikely event that livestock arrives deceased, please contact Golden State Corals within 2 hours of delivery and provide clear photos of the affected livestock in its original shipping bag.

Please do not discard the livestock or shipping bag until we've had an opportunity to review the claim.

Once the claim has been reviewed and approved, we will work with you to provide an appropriate resolution.

Because many of our corals, clams, and other livestock are offered as WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), an identical replacement may not always be available. Depending on the circumstances, a replacement, store credit, or another mutually agreed-upon resolution may be offered.

Shipping charges are not refundable.

Carrier Delays & Circumstances Beyond Our Control

While we carefully prepare every shipment, some circumstances during transit are outside of our control.

Carrier delays, severe weather, airport closures, mechanical issues, lost or misrouted packages, incorrect shipping information, missed deliveries, and other unforeseen events can occasionally affect overnight shipments.

If a delay occurs, please contact us. We will work with you and the carrier to help locate the package and determine the best course of action.

Claims involving carrier delays or circumstances outside of our control will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may not qualify for our standard Arrive Alive Guarantee.

Our priority will always be to work with you toward a reasonable solution whenever possible.

Acclimation

Once your livestock arrives, we recommend opening the package promptly and beginning acclimation as soon as possible.

Please keep in mind that corals and clams may appear retracted, closed, or temporarily stressed immediately after overnight shipping. This does not necessarily indicate a problem and is a normal response for many animals following transit.

Always provide appropriate lighting, flow, water quality, and placement for the livestock you purchase.

Local Pickup

Local pickup is available in Southern California by appointment only.

If local pickup is available for your order, select the appropriate option at checkout or contact us to arrange a pickup time.

Questions About Your Shipment?

Have a question about weather, shipping dates, carrier selection, hold-for-pickup options, or an upcoming order?

Please contact us before your order ships. We're happy to work with you to determine the safest and most convenient shipping option for your livestock.

Text or Call: 310.986.2563

Email: info@goldenstatecorals.com