Shipping policy

1. Shipping Overview

Queen’N’Colonies ships both live goods and non-live goods. Shipping methods, timelines, and eligibility may vary depending on the product, destination, season, weather, and carrier availability.

All shipping times shown on our website are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Shopify supports a dedicated shipping policy page for exactly this kind of disclosure.

2. Processing Times

Orders are processed within the timeframe shown on the product page or at checkout.

Some items may require longer processing times, including:

  • live ant orders

  • larger colonies

  • pre-orders

  • made-to-order habitats

  • custom or limited-stock products

Orders may be delayed where necessary due to weather, operational constraints, species availability, or animal welfare considerations.

3. Shipping Methods

Available shipping methods are shown at checkout.

For live-ant orders, Queen’N’Colonies may restrict available methods based on destination, season, carrier reliability, and safe-arrival considerations. Approved live-arrival methods may include Express, Xpresspost, Priority, local delivery, or pickup, as designated by us.

Orders shipped using economy, standard, or any non-eligible shipping method are not eligible for live-arrival / DOA coverage. This follows the same general approach used by Canada Ant Colony, which ties live-arrival coverage to faster approved services.

4. Live Ant Shipping

Live ants and live colonies are shipped only when, in our judgment, conditions are appropriate for safe transport.

We reserve the right to delay, hold, reschedule, or cancel live-ant shipments due to:

  • unsafe weather

  • extreme heat or cold

  • carrier disruptions

  • destination risks

  • legal or regulatory concerns

  • animal welfare considerations

Live-ant orders may be shipped only on certain business days, including Monday through Wednesday, in order to reduce transit risk and help avoid weekend delays.

5. Winter Shipping Protection

During cold-weather periods designated by Queen’N’Colonies, live-ant orders may require winter shipping protection, which can include a heat pack, insulation, and other seasonal protective packaging.

If winter protection is required and the customer does not purchase it, the order may be delayed, held, cancelled, or shipped without eligibility for live-arrival / DOA coverage.

6. Delivery Requirements for Live Orders

To remain eligible for live-arrival / DOA coverage, live-ant shipments must be:

  • sent using an eligible live-arrival shipping method

  • accepted on the first delivery attempt, where delivery is attempted

  • collected promptly if held for pickup

Delivery to outdoor mailboxes, community mailboxes, or other unsuitable delivery locations may void live-arrival coverage. Canada Ant Colony publicly warns that only first-attempt accepted deliveries qualify for live-arrival protection and that community mailbox delivery can void that protection.

7. Incorrect Addresses and Undeliverable Packages

Customers are responsible for providing complete and accurate shipping information.

Queen’N’Colonies is not responsible for delays, failed delivery, losses, or ineligible DOA claims resulting from:

  • incorrect or incomplete addresses

  • missed delivery attempts

  • refusal of delivery

  • failure to monitor tracking

  • failure to collect a package in time

8. Carrier Delays

Once an order has been handed to the shipping carrier, delivery is subject to carrier operations and conditions beyond our direct control.

We are not responsible for carrier delays caused by weather, transportation interruptions, service disruptions, routing issues, labour actions, or other external events. Where appropriate, we may assist customers in submitting a carrier issue inquiry.

9. Split Shipments

If an order contains items with different availability, processing times, or fulfillment requirements, Queen’N’Colonies may ship the order in separate shipments.

Shopify supports split shipping when an order includes items that cannot be fulfilled together, including pre-order items that ship separately from available items.

10. Local Delivery and Pickup

Where offered, local delivery or pickup details will be shown at checkout or communicated after purchase.

Customers using local pickup are responsible for collecting their order within the stated pickup window.

Shopify also supports local delivery as a distinct delivery method configured in store settings.

11. Legal and Destination Restrictions

Customers are responsible for ensuring that the products they order, especially live ants, are legal to possess, receive, transport, or import at their destination.

Queen’N’Colonies reserves the right to refuse, delay, or cancel any order where shipment may violate laws, permit conditions, carrier rules, or destination restrictions.

CFIA states that authorization may be required for the import and handling of certain invertebrates in Canada, and that such requirements are in place to protect Canada’s natural environment and plant health.

12. Lost, Damaged, or DOA Shipments

If your order arrives damaged, defective, incorrect, or dead on arrival where eligible, you must contact us within the applicable time window stated in our Return & Refund Policy.

All refund, replacement, credit, and DOA decisions are governed by our Return & Refund Policy.

13. Contact

Questions about shipping may be sent to:

Queen’N’Colonies
Email: queens.n.colonies@gmail.com