Shipping Adult Bantam Chickens

[HaliefromSC]

My question about shipping adult chickens is: Do I need to be NIPI (is that correct) certified to ship through the postal service? I see online for USPS that birds must be healthy but does not specify that there must be proof of health. Thanks in advance!

 

[AltonaAcres]

I am pretty sure you do. At least shipping to another state

 

[Carol Thomson]

USPS

1. Exhibit 526.33
   Requirements for Mailing Live, Day–Old Poultry
   

   Answer each question and follow the instruction as indicated.	YES	NO
   1.	Is poultry live, day-old poultry as listed in 526.31?	If pheasants, they are mailable only during April through August. Go to No. 2.	If not day–old poultry, item is NONMAILABLE. If not poultry or not day-old, check other mailable animal types in Section 52 to determine mailability.
   2.	Was hatching time 24 hours ago or less?	Go to No. 3.	NONMAILABLE.
   3.	Was poultry presented for mailing in original, unopened hatchery box from hatchery of origin?	Go to No. 4.	Do not accept.
   4.	Are boxes properly ventilated and of proper construction and strength to bear safe transport in mail? Note: Boxes of approximately identical size, securely fastened to prevent separation in transit, may be accepted for mailing as a single parcel if the mailpiece does not exceed DMM limits for combined length and girth or exceed 70 pounds in weight.	Boxes are not to be stacked more than 10 units high. Go to No. 5.	Do not accept.
   5.	Are the date and hour of hatching noted on box by representative of hatchery who has personal knowledge of facts?	Go to No. 6.	Do not accept.
   6.	Did shipment originate at another office, or was it sent by air express or air cargo and then presented for mailing?	Before accepting, take special precautions to ensure that shipment is in excellent condition. Go to No. 7.	Go to No. 7.
   7.	Is the shipment being mailed with a special handling service charge, in addition to regular postage? Exception: shipment is being mailed via air transportation.	Go to No. 8.	Shipment must include special handling service to be mailable.
   8.	If shipment is COD, have all conditions for using COD service (as required in DMM 503.11) been met? If not COD, go to No. 9.	Go to No. 9.	If COD, do not accept unless all applicable requirements in DMM 503.11 are met.
   9.	Is poultry being mailed sufficiently early in week to avoid arrival at the delivery post office on Sunday or holiday, or on afternoon preceding Sunday or holiday?	Go to No. 10.	Do not accept.
   10.	Can poultry be delivered to addressee within 72 hours of time of hatching, regardless of whether addressee resides in town or on rural or highway contract route?	Accept for mailing.	Do not accept.

526.4 Adult Birds​

526.41 General​

Disease-free adult birds may be mailed domestically when shipped under all applicable governmental laws and regulations, including the Lacey Act, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and any state, municipal, or local ordinances. Mailers must comply with all applicable governmental laws and regulations, including the Lacey Act, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and any state, municipal, or local ordinances. Mailings must also be compliant with the requirements provided in USPS Publication 14, Prohibitions and Restrictions on Mailing Animals, Plants, and Related Matter, Chapter 5. In addition, each container or package must be marked as required by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under 50 CFR 14. Adult birds must be properly packaged and able to sustain shipment without food or water because liquids, moisture, and loose foodstuffs can cause damage to the shipping container, other mail, and Postal Service equipment during transport.

526.42 Mailability Requirements​

Adult birds are mailable only when sent under the following conditions:

1. The shipment is mailed using Priority Mail Express service.
2. Each bird must weigh more than 6 ounces and no more than 25 pounds.
3. The number of birds per parcel must follow the container manufacturer limits.
4. The mailer must secure containers approved by the manager, Product Classification (see 214 for address).
5. A mailing container must be used that is constructed by a USPS–approved manufacturer listed on the PostalPro website
   at http://postalpro.usps.com/.

526.43 Claims for Adult Birds​

Indemnity may be paid only for articles that are lost, damaged, or for missing contents, and not for death of the birds in transit if there is no visible damage to the mailing container.

Postage refunds may not be available if the Priority Mail Express shipment was delivered or delivery was attempted within three days of the date of mailing as shown in the “Date In” box on Label 11. See DMM 609