Shipping policy

At Kaimana Reefworks, we take shipping seriously, especially when it comes to live marine animals and live aquatic products. Our goal is to ship orders safely, clearly, and in a way that protects product quality on arrival.

By placing an order with Kaimana Reefworks, you agree to the shipping terms below.

Order Processing

Orders are processed in the order they are received.

Most non-live orders are processed within 3–5 business days, unless otherwise noted.

Live fish and live feed orders are shipped according to weather, carrier conditions, and safe-arrival considerations. Because these are sensitive live products, shipping timelines may vary.

Submitting an order does not guarantee same-day or next-day shipment.

Shipping Area

Kaimana Reefworks currently ships only within the continental United States.

We do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, or international destinations at this time.

Live Goods Shipping

Live goods include:

live fish
copepods
phytoplankton
rotifers
other live or perishable aquatic products we may offer

Live products are shipped Monday through Thursday only.

Live goods are shipped only when conditions are appropriate for safe transit.

We may delay or hold any live shipment if we believe weather, carrier disruptions, transit delays, or other conditions could put the shipment at risk. This may include:

extreme heat
extreme cold
storms
wildfire or regional transit disruption
holiday congestion
known carrier service issues

The health of the animals and live products comes first. We reserve the right to postpone shipment until conditions are safer.

Live Delivery Requirements

Someone must be present to receive all live goods deliveries on the first delivery attempt.

We are not responsible for losses resulting from:

missed delivery attempts
packages left unattended
delayed unpacking
packages left outside for an extended period after delivery
incorrect shipping information entered by the customer
rerouting or forwarding requests made after shipment
carrier delays outside our control, except where required by law

Customers are responsible for monitoring tracking information and being available to receive live shipments.

Shipping Address Accuracy

Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address at checkout.

Kaimana Reefworks is not responsible for delays, delivery failure, loss, or live-arrival issues caused by:

incorrect addresses
incomplete addresses
outdated address information
undeliverable locations
customer-requested rerouting after shipment

If a package is returned to us due to an address issue, additional shipping charges may apply before reshipment.

Shipping Methods

We use shipping methods we believe are appropriate for the product being ordered. Shipping methods may vary depending on:

product type
destination
weather conditions
day of week
current carrier service conditions

We reserve the right to choose the most appropriate carrier and service level for each order unless a specific method is offered and selected at checkout.

Delivery Estimates

Any shipping or delivery timelines shown on our website are estimates only unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Delivery dates are not guaranteed and may be affected by carrier delays, weather, operational issues, or other circumstances outside our control.

Dry Goods Shipping

Dry goods are shipped separately or with other items depending on what is ordered and what is safest operationally.

We may split shipments at our discretion if needed to protect product quality or improve fulfillment efficiency.

If an order contains both live and non-live items, we may ship them together or separately depending on what we believe is best for safe delivery.

Weather Holds and Shipment Delays

We may contact customers if a shipment needs to be delayed due to weather or carrier risk.

If shipment is held for safety, we will ship once conditions improve and it is reasonable to do so.

We appreciate patience with weather-related holds. These decisions are made to protect livestock and live-product viability.

Order Changes and Cancellations

Order changes or cancellations must be requested before the order enters processing.

Once an order has been prepared, packed, labeled, or staged for shipment, it cannot be changed or canceled.

Lost, Delayed, or Damaged Packages

If your package arrives damaged, please contact us as soon as possible.

For dry goods damage claims, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and include:

your order number
clear photos of the product and packaging

For live goods claims, please follow the requirements in our Return & Refund Policy, including the required claim window and photo/video documentation.

We are not responsible for delays caused by the carrier once a package has been accepted into transit, though we will do our best to help when possible.

Local Pickup or Local Delivery

If Kaimana Reefworks offers local pickup or local delivery, additional terms may apply and will be posted at checkout or communicated before fulfillment.

Unless otherwise stated, our live-arrival shipping guarantee applies to shipped orders only.

Incorrect, Refused, or Undeliverable Orders

If an order is refused, abandoned, or returned because the customer was unavailable or provided incorrect delivery information, the order may not be eligible for replacement, refund, or credit.

Additional shipping charges may apply for any approved reshipment.