Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee

At Aqua-Lotl, we take shipping seriously because your axolotl’s health and safety is our top priority. 

Below is everything you need to know about how we ship and what our Live Arrival Guarantee covers.

Our Shipping Policy (DOA - Shipping)

By making a purchase from Aqua-Lotl you agree to be bound by this Shipping Policy. These terms govern your use of our website, the purchase of live axolotls and merchandise, shipping procedures, and all policies related to refunds, cancellations, and legal compliance.

Live Animal Policy

Shipping Schedule

We ship live axolotls every Monday via USPS 1-2 day Express Shipping. We feel local pickup is best but if not possible we will ship your axolotl. If you live near Okmulgee or the Tulsa Oklahoma area reach out to arrange a pickup time and a coupon code to remove shipping costs from your order. This coupon will only be for local pickups and any orders placed with it that require shipping will have to pay for shipping or the order will not go out. 

-Orders placed before 12:00 pm CST on Saturday will be shipped the following Monday. Please reach out to us with any questions on shipping times. 

-"1-2 day shipping" refers to the transit time once the order has shipped; it does not mean when an order is placed.

-All axolotl shipments are subject to USPS holiday schedules. If USPS is closed on Monday or during the week we will reach out to and notify you of any shipping delays to insure your axolotls safety. If we are closed or on a break we will also notify you and let you know of any delays. Please follow us on social media to see any closures. 


Care Procedures

To ensure the health and well-being of our axolotls during transit, we follow strict care protocols:

-We won’t feed your axolotl before shipping. This helps limit the amount of waste while traveling.

-Each axolotl is double bagged to prevent leaks.

-Cold packs are included to regulate water temperature during shipment.

-We use reinforced packaging to reduce the risk of damage during transit.

Live Arrival Guarantee

We stand by the health of our axolotls with a Live Arrival Guarantee. If an axolotl arrives deceased (DOA), we will provide a replacement or refund, subject to the following requirements:

  • The customer must be present to receive the package on the first delivery attempt.

  • A DOA claim must be submitted within one (1) hour of delivery with clear, timestamped photographs of:

    • The deceased axolotl in its original, unopened packaging.

    • The shipping label on the package.

  • Aqua-Lotl reserves the right to require additional proof, such as:

    • A short video of the axolotl in its original, unopened packaging.

    • The return of the deceased axolotl before issuing a replacement or refund.

Approved DOA Claims – Next Steps

If Aqua-Lotl approves a DOA claim, the following procedures will apply:

  1. Replacement Option

    • If the same axolotl (same morph, size, and appearance) is available, we will ship the replacement on the next available shipping day (Mondays).

    • If the same axolotl is not in stock, the customer may choose:

      • A replacement of equal or lesser value from our available stock.

      • To wait until the original morph and size are back in stock.

    • Aqua-Lotl will cover the shipping cost for one (1) replacement shipment.

  2. Refund Option (If No Replacement is Desired)

    • If the customer does not wish to receive a replacement, we will issue a refund for the cost of the axolotl only.

    • Shipping costs are non-refundable under any circumstances.

    • Refunds will be processed within 7-14 business days to the original payment method or store credit at our discretion.

Limitations & Exclusions

The Live Arrival Guarantee is void if:

-The customer fails to report a DOA within one (1) hour of delivery.

-The customer was not present for the first delivery attempt.

-The customer provided an incorrect shipping address.

-The customer opened the bag containing the axolotl before submitting a DOA claim.

-The customer misses a replacement delivery attempt.

-The customer modifies the delivery (with Aqua-lotl or the shipping carrier) after the order has already shipped.

Shipping Restrictions & Permits

Restricted Locations

We do not ship axolotls to the following locations:

-California

-Maine

-New Jersey

-Washington, D.C.

-Arkansas

Special permits are required for Hawaii and New Mexico and we cannot ship to those states without a copy of the permit issued from your state.


📦 Shipping Notice

All axolotls are shipped overnight via express delivery to ensure their safety, health, and comfort. Due to the specialized packaging and rapid transport required, a flat shipping fee of $50 applies to each order.

We only ship on select days to avoid weekend delays. You’ll receive tracking information as soon as your order ships!

Thank you for choosing Aqua-Lotl — where healthy lotls come first!