Yes, koi can be shipped! We offer two shipping methods to meet your needs and budget.
The Gold Standard: UPS Overnight
Ranging from $50 to $100 depending on the size and number of koi, UPS overnight minimizes travel time and (theoretically) receives white-glove handling. Tracking is excellent, too. But it’s expensive.
The Super Saver: Priority Mail
We’ve extensively tested less expensive, slower shipping methods and have found a winning formula with the postal service. Not only do the koi arrive in good condition, but we’ve tracked some of the koi beyond receipt and they continue to thrive in their new ponds. If you’re considering a smaller order (one or two budget packs or up to 8 koi of 6″ or less) we will ship Priority Mail from $18. (Rates will be somewhat higher in the eastern US).
Our Arrive Alive Guarantee covers mail shipping just as it covers overnight shipping.
The post office is attentive to our “live fish” labels and sometimes delivers a day early.
Packed For Success
Perhaps the most important part of shipping koi is the packaging. Our koi are double bagged (3 mil) in their native pond water with lots of headroom (read: lots of air) and 100% pure oxygen, which keeps their traveling home oxygenated longer than room air.
In addition, we include additives to calm the koi while in transit and reduce the harmful effects of accumulated ammonia.
The bag is then carefully packed in a heavy box, insulated to protect against sudden temperature changes. And for the sake of the planet (and your sanity) we never use styrofoam!
We ship Monday through Wednesday only.
Box Limits
To ensure your koi arrive safe and healthy, we limit the number of fish we will ship in one box. If you’re considering a large order please contact us first.
Food, Meds, And Other Non-Koi Purchases
Non-Koi purchases (food, medications, water conditioners, and other products that don’t eat, breathe, or swim) must ship separately from the koi. They are sent either Priority Mail or UPS Ground and the shipping costs will be shown separately at checkout.
All shipments include our Discount Koi Arrive Alive Guarantee at no extra cost.
- Should any of your koi perish during shipment or within 3 days after delivery, you will receive a 100% refund of the price of the affected koi.
- Shipping fees are not refundable. However, you may choose our optional Shipping Guarantee to reimburse lost shipping costs.
Here’s what’s optional
In addition to the Arrive Alive Guarantee, you can add the following:
- Proportionate refund of shipping fees. For example, if you purchase two koi and one dies in shipment, we will refund 50% of the shipping cost. If all koi are lost within 2 days of arrival we will refund 100% of the shipping cost.
- You’ll find these insurance options on the checkout screen.
Koi are hardy fish but they’re not at their best after being packed in a dark box with no food, rapidly changing temperatures, and rough handling, topped off by a long flight on a bad airline with no peanuts. Is it any wonder they’re not in the best mood when they arrive? But seriously, the transition to your pond is a delicate time for new koi.
While it’s a short distance from the shipping box to your pond, we urge you to take it slowly and follow these best practices.
If possible, quarantine your new koi for 7-10 days. We take every possible precaution to send you healthy, happy fish but shipment stress and factors beyond our control can cause injury or disease. We highly recommend giving your new koi a salt treatment right out of the box. A 0.3% concentration of salt (~2.5 lbs per 100 gallons) will calm the fish, help protect them from parasites, and refresh their slime coat, key to koi health. Sound crazy? Take a deep dive into salt. (Note: The salt you use MUST be free of iodine. Kosher salt, salt used for water softening, or a salt lick from the feed store works best. Just make sure it is at least 99% pure salt with no iodine. We use Diamond Crystal Solar Naturals, about $5 for 40 lbs at your local home improvement store.)
To transfer the koi from their shipping container: Remove the bag of koi from their shipping box, place the closed bag in the pond or quarantine tank where it is shaded from the sun. If no shade is available put a damp towel over the bag. This equalizes the temperature between the bag and the pond. DO NOT open the bag or mix the water in the bag with the pond water. That causes an ammonia spike which can harm your fish.
After 30 minutes, or when the temperatures are equal, remove the bag from the pond. Over a sink or lawn, gently empty the bag into a net so the water in the bag falls away and the fish are in the net. Put a damp towel over the fish while in the net. Carefully lower the net into your pond until the koi swim away.
In the unlikely event that your koi die during shipment or within 48 hours after arrival, please follow these instructions to request a refund.
- Photograph the dead koi out of the water.
- Photograph all of the shipping materials. You don’t need to re-assemble them, just a photo of the box will do.
- Send the photos to help@discountkoi.com.
IMPORTANT: We must receive your claim within 48 hours of the delivery time. We will review your request within 24 hours and if approved, issue a refund the same day. Please note the refund may take 2-4 days to be processed by your bank.
Your satisfaction is our top priority and we promise to handle your request promptly and fairly.
