Coral Shipping in the UK: What to Expect

How Live Coral Shipping Works in the UK

A living animal, in a box, through Royal Mail? It works — and it works well when done properly.

How Corals Get Packed

A good seller will typically pack corals like this:

Individual bags — each frag gets its own bag with a small amount of tank water and air
Heat packs — in cooler months (roughly October through April)
Insulated packaging — polystyrene box inside a cardboard outer box
Newspaper or bubble wrap — to stop bags moving around

A well-packed coral box can survive 24 hours in transit, though shorter is better.

Shipping Services

Most UK coral sellers use:

Royal Mail Special Delivery — guaranteed next-day before 1pm, the gold standard
DPD Next Day — good tracking and delivery window features
Courier services — for larger orders or colonies

Avoid anything that isn't next-day. If a seller is shipping corals via second class post, that's a red flag.

What to Do When It Arrives

Open it straight away
Check each bag — look for leaks, dead livestock, or empty bags
Temperature acclimate — float bags for 15–20 minutes
Dip everything — Coral Rx, Bayer, or similar
Place in a low-flow, low-light area initially

DOA (Dead on Arrival) Policies

Any reputable seller will have a DOA policy. Usual terms include photo evidence within 1–2 hours, a photo of the coral in the bag before opening, and a refund or replacement.

Always read the DOA policy before buying.

Seasonal Considerations

Summer heatwaves — temperatures above 30°C outside can cook corals in transit
Winter freezes — heat packs help, but prolonged cold can overwhelm them
Bank holidays — avoid shipping around long weekends

You can find sellers who ship coral safely across the UK on Reefsy's coral frags section.

What's been the best (or worst) coral shipping experience in the community? Any tips for fellow UK buyers?