Shipping Policy

TheAntMarket supports a live arrival guarantee on all live ant and insect orders. If your order arrives with dead, severely injured, or non-viable animals, you are eligible to open a dispute and request a refund or replacement.

To qualify for the live arrival guarantee, the following conditions must be met:

• The order must have been shipped via UPS 2-Day Air or equivalent express service
• You must open a dispute within 48 hours of the confirmed delivery date
• You must provide clear photo or video evidence of the DOA or issue upon arrival
• You must be available to receive the package on the scheduled delivery date

The live arrival guarantee does not apply if delivery was refused, delayed due to incorrect address, or held at a carrier facility for more than 24 hours after the attempted delivery.

All live animal shipments on TheAntMarket must be sent via UPS 2-Day Air or an equivalent overnight/2-day express carrier. Standard ground shipping is not permitted for live insects.

Sellers are responsible for selecting the appropriate shipping service at checkout. Orders shipped via non-express methods are not eligible for live arrival guarantee protection, and the seller bears responsibility for any DOA losses.

Due to state agricultural import regulations, live insects cannot be shipped to the following states:

• California (CA) — Live insects require a CDFA permit. Most hobbyist shipments are prohibited.
• Hawaii (HI) — All live insects are prohibited from import without an approved HDOA permit.
• Alaska (AK) — Live insects are subject to strict ADF&G import restrictions.

Orders placed with a shipping address in a restricted state will be cancelled automatically and fully refunded. It is the buyer's responsibility to verify import eligibility in their state before placing an order.

Sellers are required to package all live animals in accordance with humane and safe transport standards. Minimum packaging requirements include:

• Secure, escape-proof primary container (test tube, vial, or deli cup with tight-fitting lid)
• Insulating material appropriate for the season (heat pack in cold weather, cold pack in extreme heat)
• Cushioning material to prevent movement and impact during transit
• Clearly labeled outer box marked “Live Harmless Insects”

Sellers who receive DOA claims linked to inadequate packaging may have their dispute resolution decided in the buyer's favor and may face account review.

If your order arrives with dead or severely compromised livestock, follow these steps immediately:

1. Photograph or video the package and contents before opening fully
2. Document the condition of all animals received
3. Go to your order page on TheAntMarket and open a dispute within 48 hours of delivery
4. Upload your photo or video evidence and describe the issue clearly

Our team will review the dispute and contact both you and the seller. Resolutions may include a partial refund, full refund, or replacement shipment at the seller's cost depending on the circumstances.

All DOA and shipping-related disputes must be opened within 48 hours of the confirmed delivery date as recorded by the carrier. Disputes opened after this window are not eligible for a refund or replacement under the live arrival guarantee.

If you believe exceptional circumstances prevented you from filing within the window — such as a medical emergency or extended carrier delay — please contact us at support@theantmarket.com and we will review your case individually.