Our Customer Service Department has compiled some of the commonly asked questions by our customers. If you have a question that is not listed in our list, please feel free contact us here .
1. Do I need an import permit ?
2. Is the freight forwarding agent or customs broker necessary to clear the customs ?
3. What happens if there are dead fishes upon arrival ?
4. Do we need to quarantine the newly arrived fish ?
5. What is the average age of a 2 – 3 inch fish ? How long will the flower horn live ?
6. Does FlowerFish.com sell breeding pairs ?
7. Is there a minimum order ?
8. What are my payment options ?
9. What are the procedures involved when paying with my credit card ?
10. If I were to order in volume, will there be further discounts ?
11. Can I order by fax or mail ?
1. Do I need an import permit ?
In most situations, it is required to have an import permit / import licence. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is used as a standard / benchmark by most countries when applying for an import permit. In the US, the cost of an import permit is approximately US$ 50 annually. Each shipment will cost an additional US$ 55. Besides, an inspection appointment will have to be made with the local FWS officer 48 hours before the arrival of the shipment. Regular hours of inspection will be between 8 am to 3 pm. There will be an overtime fee if the inspection is made during weekends or hours other than the specified time.
2. Is the freight forwarding agent or customs broker necessary to clear the customs ?
It is not necessary. You or a company representative can claim the goods upon arrival at the designated international airport. The clearing process will take between 1 to 4 hours.
Procedures:
• Go to the designated airline cargo office as indicated by our invoice on the day and time of arrival.
• Produce the AWB (air waybill) to the person in charge, and show your ID (identification). They will present you with the original copy of the AWB.
• Head on the cargo pickup area of that particular airline to claim your fish.
Note: Always make an inspection appointment with your local Fish and Wildlife Department of Agriculture that issued you the import permit, two days prior to the date of arrival.
3. What happens if there are dead fishes upon arrival ?
Please contact us immediately via telephone, email, or fax. Take a photograph of the dead fish and send it to us. You will be refunded / credited of the dead fish (but, freight charges will not be refunded).
4. Do we need to quarantine the newly arrived fish ?
It is advisable that you do not sell the fish, or mix them with other fishes. The fish should be quarantined for at least 10 days. This will ensure that the fish will be free from any bacteria or diseases. You should use one tablet of Bactrim (sultamethoxazde) and 250mg of metronidazole to get rid off any bacterial infection. If there is no complication after 48 to 72 hours, your fish will likely to have made full recovery from stress due to air travel. In this situation, just keep the fish in a separate tank.
5. What is the average age of a 2 – 3 inch fish ? How long will the flower horn live ?
Flower horn fish of 2 – 3 inch in length is approximately 2 – 3 months old. This species will live around 6 -10 years.
6. Does FlowerFish.com sell breeding pairs ?
We do not sell mated pairs, and it is not recommended. The reason being is that a reliable / proven breeding pair is very expensive. In addition, when placed in a different environment / fish tank, water conditions, and food, the pair might not breed.
7. Is there a minimum order ?
We do not sell to hobbyists except through our online retail program. The minimum order for bulk orders is USD2000 per shipment.
8. What are my payment options ?
• Payments can be made by Visa, and Mastercard.
• Payment via wire transfer (also known as telegraphic transfer – TT). Please provide your bank with our account information. The bank would need the ABA# and a FBO#. For your information, the ABA# is actually the electronic funds transfer of our bank. FBO# is our bank account number. Please specifically inform your bank to wire the funds denominated in US dollars. This type of transaction will typically take about 12 hours to 3 business days for completion of funds transfer. There will be a charge of US$ 50 per transaction.
• Letter of credit will be a norm when it involves large amounts of money. Total transaction time will take approximately 5 to 30 business days.
9. What are the procedures involved when paying with my credit card ?
You can actually provide us with your credit card number in 2 portions. Provide us with the first twelve digits of your credit card number when you confirm the order with us by faxing back the proforma invoice. As for the last four digits, you can send them via email / you can inform us over the telephone.
10. If I were to order in volume, will there be further discounts ?
As FlowerFish.com is a wholesale center, the prices provided are already discounted. Occasionally, there will be special discounts offered.