Shipping

[Morgan968]

Hi everyone

I've got some over wintered nucs ready to be collected but I cannot travel to collect them.

I've looked into getting a pallet so the nucs can fit on but everywhere I seem to go I've suddenly found in the small print it says not for shipping livestock. How do companies manage to ship live bee's in the post? I do see they use royal mail or parcel force but again they say they dont accept bee's.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks

 

[ics19]

Royal Mail do take bees, they say:
Live creatures, insects and invertebrates Accepted on Royal Mail services only. Prohibited by Parcelforce Worldwide. (including ...bees …)

https://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/royal-mail-prohibited-and-restricted-items-nov-23-2018---23410530_updated%20April%2019.pdf

Probably not the best method though (no control over temperature, orientation etc), and you'd want the quickest turnaround i.e. by 9am or 1pm special in any case (more like 12 noon and 9pm at the moment though).

This is how these BS people ship their nucs.

Ideally you should try to get someone else to pick them up - it's livestock, so perfectly 'legal' in the current climate. We had a couple of hour trip when we first got our nuc and even in a air-con car they can get agitated - worth taking a fine water spray to go over the air vent mesh (hopefully) if it's much more travelling time than that.

 

[Morgan968]

I do agree on this but they arnt allowing collections due to current lockdown situation but will accept them to be collected and shipped on a pallet as there is a number of nucs. I would prefer to drive and collect them myself but it's about a 3 hour journey, I think I would be asking for trouble with the current restrictions even if they are classed as livestock.

So I can either wait till this all blows over which could be towards the end of the season or manage to get them shipped to me. I have looked on the royal mail but they arnt offering special delivery currently due to the situation were in, so a little stumped really

Royal Mail do take bees, they say:
Live creatures, insects and invertebrates Accepted on Royal Mail services only. Prohibited by Parcelforce Worldwide. (including ...bees …)

https://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/royal-mail-prohibited-and-restricted-items-nov-23-2018---23410530_updated%20April%2019.pdf

Probably not the best method though (no control over temperature, orientation etc), and you'd want the quickest turnaround i.e. by 9am or 1pm special in any case (more like 12 noon and 9pm at the moment though).

This is how these BS people ship their nucs.

Ideally you should try to get someone else to pick them up - it's livestock, so perfectly 'legal' in the current climate. We had a couple of hour trip when we first got our nuc and even in a air-con car they can get agitated - worth taking a fine water spray to go over the air vent mesh (hopefully) if it's much more travelling time than that.

 

[enrico]

Maybe we could set up a load of beekeepers between the selling point and you to pass them on like a conveyor belt!!!!! I am up for it!
E

 

[Newbeeneil]

Maybe we could set up a load of beekeepers between the selling point and you to pass them on like a conveyor belt!!!!! I am up for it!
E

Interesting suggestion Eric. A bit like the AA used to get you home using their Relay system after a breakdown!

 

[B+.]

Can anyone shed any light on this?

I've found that what they say often doesn't match what they do. I use Royal Mail Special Delivery because they guarantee next day delivery within the UK. I have received queens from other countries via DHL and UPS although I wouldn't recommend UPS (they put a package which was clearly marked "Live Insects - Handle with Care" inside a sealed plastic bag). This is just queen cages though so I don't know about nucs - although I do know that DHL carry mating nucs from all over Germany to the island mating stations. You might have better luck with them.

 

[ics19]

RM are still doing SD, just with a longer timeframe:

https://www.royalmail.com/d8/coronavirus-changes-service

But it doesn't sound the suitable method given your undisclosed number of nucs, so likely expensive.

If the supplier is allowing pallets then they surely know of a company that will transport bees? Does seem odd they won't allow pickup by an individual, 3hrs seems fine. How about getting a quote from these people of pickup for you https://www.anyvan.com ?

 

[Hachi]

I do agree on this but they arnt allowing collections due to current lockdown situation but will accept them to be collected and shipped on a pallet as there is a number of nucs. I would prefer to drive and collect them myself but it's about a 3 hour journey, I think I would be asking for trouble with the current restrictions even if they are classed as livestock.

So I can either wait till this all blows over which could be towards the end of the season or manage to get them shipped to me. I have looked on the royal mail but they arnt offering special delivery currently due to the situation were in, so a little stumped really

Have to disagree Morgan, you are moving livestock. The fact its three hours is irrelevant as you can't leave them there til Sept / Oct. Also, the company holding them could place them in a position whereby you have access without risking their employee's. If they're on a pallet, get them to have a pallet free you can put on your vehicle and load singularly if necessary or alternatively, take a pallet and a few straps with you and cross load 1 by 1. If it helps, I can possibly volunteer to be part of the piggyback method. How many nucs is it?

 

[Beefriendly]

I do agree on this but they arnt allowing collections due to current lockdown situation but will accept them to be collected and shipped

If they aren't allowing collections how is a pallet or courier company or anyone else going to collect from them?
Just a thought that there is some inconsistency in what they are telling you.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

Another suggestion.

Sell the nucs that are 3 hours away and buy some locally. ?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Maybe we could set up a load of beekeepers between the selling point and you to pass them on like a conveyor belt

a real field day for the virus - enabling it to skip great distances and spread far and wide.

They're livestock, regardless of distance, there's a derogation to move them.

 

[enrico]

a real field day for the virus - enabling it to skip great distances and spread far and wide.

They're livestock, regardless of distance, there's a derogation to move them.

I wasn't suggesting we kiss each other while doing it. I think we can all use intelligence to help out. But don't worry, we won't come near grumpy Wales.
E

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I wasn't suggesting we kiss each other while doing it. I think we can all use intelligence to help out.
E

one vehicle moving across the country is one thing, but a relay of them, each handling the nucs,each going their own way after the transfer. doubtful that correct barrier procedures taken, however careful people think they are.
stupidity

 

[Erichalfbee]

Ball not player in beginners please

 

[Poly Hive]

As I understand it the idea is that we are allowed to tend OUR livestock.

I am advising beginners to forget this year, spend the time reading up, and so be better prepared for next year.

It's disappointing to see people willing to flout the rules. The rules are there if you need reminding to save lives. Which, actually, could include yours and mine.

A reminder from the UK Government: Act like you have got it. Anyone can spread it. Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.

PH

 

[enrico]

Ok, I appear to be endangering people's lives. Seemed like a good idea at the time.
Kisses to everyone xxxx
E

 

[Beefriendly]

Kisses to everyone xxxx
E

Only from a 2m distance.....

 

[Anduril]

Only from a 2m distance.....

Do I need to hold my computer/phone 2 metres away from me while I receive a virtual kiss from enrico.

 

[Ian123]

Gentlemen no tongues pls......................

 

[enrico]

Gentlemen no tongues pls......................

Too late!

I had to be nice.....my first answer to JBM got deleted (sorry Dani) .....