Shipping Policy
ShrimpHut uses a welfare-first shipping approach for livestock and a practical dispatch approach for dry goods and aquarium equipment. This policy explains how dispatch, delivery, timing, courier services, and customer responsibilities are handled.
Dispatch days and operating approach
Orders are normally processed during published working hours. Livestock dispatch may be limited to selected days so that animals are not knowingly sent into avoidable delay, poor weather, or unsuitable delivery windows. Dry goods, plants, and equipment may follow a different dispatch workflow from live livestock.
Livestock welfare and dispatch discretion
We may hold, postpone, split, or rearrange a livestock order where weather, courier reliability, bank holidays, local disruption, or welfare concerns make dispatch unsuitable. This applies even where a delivery service is technically available. Animal welfare takes priority over automatic dispatch.
Delivery estimates
Estimated delivery times are estimates only unless the relevant service is explicitly stated as guaranteed and that guarantee remains valid under the carrier's own rules. Courier delays, depot problems, failed deliveries, redirections, missed collections, address issues, or weather disruption can affect timing.
Customer responsibilities for delivery
- Provide a complete and accurate delivery address and contact details.
- Monitor tracking where available.
- Make sure somebody can receive livestock promptly.
- Avoid using addresses, safe-place arrangements, or situations that create avoidable risk for live deliveries.
- Inspect the parcel as soon as reasonably possible after delivery.
Split shipments and combined orders
Where an order contains a mixture of livestock, plants, hardscape, or equipment, we may choose to combine or separate items if that is more suitable for packing, weight, welfare, or courier handling. In some cases, a mixed order may be held until it can be shipped safely or efficiently.
Shipping charges
Shipping charges, surcharges, and service upgrades are shown at checkout where configured. Additional charges may apply to bulky goods, remote areas, temperature-control materials, or premium services. Any free-shipping threshold only applies where clearly stated and does not guarantee a particular dispatch speed.
Failed delivery, refusal, or delay after dispatch
Once a parcel has been dispatched, the outcome may be affected by customer-side unavailability, refusal, incorrect addressing, safe-place instructions, rescheduling, or courier-side delay. These situations can affect refunds, DOA review, and the availability of redelivery support, especially for livestock.
International and non-mainland delivery
If international or non-mainland delivery is offered, additional restrictions, delays, or exclusions may apply. Live-on-arrival cover, transit assumptions, and courier options may differ from standard mainland UK delivery. Customers should not assume all services or guarantees apply outside the standard supported delivery area.
Questions about dispatch
If you need to request a particular delivery timing or want to discuss dispatch suitability, contact [email protected] before ordering where possible. We will try to help, but cannot promise a custom shipping arrangement in every case.