Shipping Policy

Dispatch days

We dispatch Monday to Friday. We do not dispatch on weekends or UK bank holidays to avoid animals sitting in a courier depot over the weekend.

Orders placed before 12pm on a dispatch day will generally go out the same day. Orders placed after 12pm, or on a non-dispatch day, go out the next available dispatch day.

Courier & delivery times

All livestock orders are sent via a next-day courier to most UK mainland addresses. Delivery is typically between 7am–9pm the following day.

You'll receive a tracking number by email once your order has been collected. We strongly recommend being available to receive the parcel on the delivery day — live animals should not be left on a doorstep in warm or cold weather.

Packaging

Every livestock order is packed in an insulated polystyrene box inside a plain cardboard outer. Inside, shrimp travel in sealed, oxygen-infused bags with enough water to keep them comfortable during transit.

Depending on the time of year, we include heat packs in cold weather (below ~15°C) and cool packs in summer to keep temperatures stable. We monitor forecasts and adjust packaging accordingly.

Shipping costs

Shipping is £7.00 for plants, food, and equipment. Shrimp orders are £14.00 due to specialist livestock packaging.

We currently ship to UK mainland addresses only. If you're in Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, or the islands, please get in touch before ordering and we'll let you know if we can accommodate your area.

What if my order is delayed?

Courier delays are rare but happen. If your parcel is delayed by more than one day, please contact us immediately at info@somersetshrimpshack.uk and we will chase the courier on your behalf.

If animals arrive DOA as a result of a courier delay, our live arrival guarantee still applies.

Non-livestock orders

Plants, food, equipment and supplements are sent via standard post and do not require next-day delivery. These typically arrive within 2–3 working days. If you're ordering livestock alongside non-livestock items, everything ships together in the livestock packaging.