Shipping Policy — Micro Aquatic Shop
At Micro Aquatic Shop, we care about the safe and fast delivery of your aquarium fish, shrimp, plants, and aquascaping products. Below is our detailed shipping policy — clear, transparent, and designed so your livestock arrives alive and healthy.
💬 A quick note on shipping cost
Shipping live animals isn't like posting a regular parcel. Fish, shrimp and snails need to travel fast, warm, and with enough oxygen — so we use premium express and overnight couriers purely for your animals' welfare, not to profit on postage. What you're really paying for is breeder-quality livestock that arrives alive, packed by people who keep these animals every day and backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee (with a very low DOA rate). Prefer to skip shipping entirely? Local pickup is always free.
Shipping Options
We provide several methods depending on what's in your order:
1. Express Shipping (General Orders)
- Recommended for most aquarium products, livestock, aquascaping supplies, and equipment.
- Handling time: 1–2 business days (Mon–Wed).
- Transit time: 1–2 business days.
- Cost: $35–$45 AUD (depending on parcel size/weight).
2. Toll Global Express (Toll Overnight)
- Shipped via Toll Overnight Express for the health and safety of your livestock.
- Ships Monday–Wednesday only to avoid weekend delays.
- Delivery expected next business day after dispatch.
- Cost: $45–$75 AUD (depending on your location).
⚠️ Please note: We cannot ship live fish, shrimp, or snails (or live plants) to Western Australia (WA), Northern Territory (NT), or Tasmania (TAS) due to strict quarantine and biosecurity regulations.
Shipping Schedule
- Monday–Tuesday: priority given to live fish, shrimp, and snails.
- Wednesday: plants and remaining aquarium items.
- Thursday–Sunday: no livestock shipments, so animals never sit in a courier depot over the weekend.
Getting the best value on shipping
One flat express fee covers your whole parcel, so it pays to make it count:
- Order more in one go — a single box of shrimp/fish/plants costs the same to ship as a small one, so combining items lowers your cost per item.
- Free bonus plants on orders over a certain value — real extra value in every box.
- Free local pickup if you're in Sydney — pay $0 shipping.
- Seasonal promotions & free-shipping events — join our newsletter so you never miss one.
Typical ranges: $35–$45 for plants, small goods or regular orders · $45–$75 for livestock needing Toll Overnight.
How We Pack Livestock
To make sure your fish, shrimp, snails or plants arrive healthy and stress-free:
- Fish/shrimp are bagged with plenty of oxygen and water.
- Shrimp get a small mesh to hold onto for comfort in transit.
- Bags are wrapped in bubble wrap and placed inside a carton box for insulation.
Tracking & Communication
- Once dispatched, you'll receive an email with tracking details (link + estimated delivery time).
- Track directly via the courier (Toll, Aramex, AusPost).
- Tracking questions: cs@microaquaticshop.com.au.
When You're Not Available at Delivery
- Couriers may leave the package in a safe place (if available).
- If delivery can't be completed, the parcel may return to the depot — you'll need to contact the courier (Toll, Aramex, or AusPost) to arrange redelivery or pickup.
- Micro Aquatic Shop is not liable for delays or extra costs caused by customer unavailability.
Change of Address
If your order hasn't shipped yet, update your delivery address by emailing cs@microaquaticshop.com.au. Once dispatched, address changes are no longer guaranteed.
Local Pickup (free)
Choose Local Pickup at checkout and collect from Unit 15, 2–8 Daniel Street, Wetherill Park, NSW 2164. You're welcome to come in any time during our business hours (Mon–Sun, 9am–5pm) — your order is usually ready within about 30 minutes of ordering. To make sure everything is packed and ready before you head over, feel free to call us first on (02) 8320 3037 to double-check.
Live Arrival & DOA
Every live order is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything arrives dead or missing, see our DOA & Missing Items guide (report within 1 hour of delivery with an unboxing video).
Contact
📍 Unit 15, 2–8 Daniel Street, Wetherill Park, NSW 2164 · 📞 (02) 8320 3037 · 📧 cs@microaquaticshop.com.au
