Shipping policy

Last updated: September 25, 2026

AquaRheo Lab, an operational trade name (DBA) of Rare Tide Botanicals LLC, specializes in living botanical specimens, tissue cultures, and premium design hardware. Because living plants require specialized care and temperature-controlled handling during transit, our dispatch schedules and packaging protocols are engineered to protect biological vitality above all else.

Fulfillment Schedule & Perishable Dispatch Window

To prevent perishable living stock from sitting in unconditioned carrier hubs over weekends, all orders containing live botanical specimens adhere to a strict dispatch cadence:

  • Live Dispatch Days: Orders containing live plants ship exclusively Monday through Wednesday.

  • Cut-Off Times: Orders placed by Tuesday at 11:59 PM EST will enter the active dispatch queue for that week. Orders placed between Wednesday and Sunday are prepared, staged, and held for shipment the following Monday.

  • Non-Perishable Orders: Orders containing exclusively dry goods, tools, or hardware ship Monday through Friday within 24 to 48 business hours of order confirmation.

  • Combined Shipments: If your order contains both live specimens and hardware, the entire order will ship together according to the perishable live dispatch schedule unless separate checkout profiles were selected.

Botanical Packaging & Transit Protection

Every outbound botanical specimen is packaged to protect plant health, prevent transit damage, and maintain physiological stability:

  • Hydration & Root Protection: Specimens are secured bare-root or in clean culture media, wrapped in moisture-retaining protective wraps to preserve optimal hydration without suffocating root tissues.

  • Crush Defense: Protective cushioning and tailored shipping cartons safeguard sensitive leaves, stems, and rhizomes against physical impacts during handling.

  • Moisture Preservation: Enclosed protective sleeves maintain necessary microclimate humidity levels throughout transit to ensure specimens do not desiccate.

Seasonal Weather Holds & Transit Temperatures

Living aquatic and tropical rheophytes are vulnerable to thermal extremes. We monitor national weather patterns, local forecast grids, and transit hubs across carrier routes:

  • Safe Window: Active dispatch proceeds normally when transit path temperatures remain between 40°F and 90°F.

  • Automated Weather Holds: If unseasonable freezing temperatures or severe heatwaves threaten transit routes, we automatically place a temporary Safe Weather Hold on your live shipment.

  • Customer Notification: You will receive an immediate email notification if your order is placed on hold. Shipments are released on the first available dispatch window once transit temperatures normalize.

  • Thermal Protection: Orders shipped during colder or warmer shoulder-season conditions are reinforced with appropriate insulating materials or thermal barriers.

Domestic Shipping Carriers & Rates

We ship to destinations across all 50 U.S. states via USPS Priority Mail / Express, UPS 2-Day / Next Day Air, and FedEx Express / 2Day / Ground.

  • Carrier rates are calculated dynamically at checkout based on package weight, volume, and destination zip code.

  • While standard options are offered, we strongly advise selecting expedited services (UPS 2-Day / Next Day Air, FedEx 2Day / Priority Overnight, or USPS Express) for delicate tropical cultivars and collector-tier rosettes.

  • Once your label has printed and the courier completes the physical scan, an automated shipping confirmation with active tracking details is emailed immediately.

State Agricultural Regulations & Soil-Free Compliance

To comply with interstate quarantine mandates governed by the USDA and state agricultural departments (including strict border protocols enforced by the California CDFA and Florida FDACS):

  • All botanical stock cultivated at AquaRheo Lab is grown in closed-loop, indoor-native systems and shipped 100% soil-free.

  • Outer parcel labeling visibly indicates: "Live Horticultural Material — Indoor Tropical Greenhouse Stock — Soil-Free."

  • Customers are responsible for verifying that their municipality or state permits the entry of specific botanical species ordered. AquaRheo Lab is not liable for parcel rejections caused by destination-state quarantine infractions outside our standard documentation.

Live Arrival Guarantee Integration

Every live botanical shipment is covered by our 100% Live Arrival Guarantee (DOA Policy).

  • In the rare event a specimen arrives damaged, decayed, or dead due to transit conditions, you must email support@aquarheolab.com within 2 hours of the carrier’s official delivery timestamp.

  • Photographs and video showing the specimen inside its original, unopened, sealed protective sleeve alongside your order number are mandatory for claim resolution.

  • For full claim criteria and conditions, review our standalone Refund and Return Policy.

Lost, Stolen, or Incorrectly Addressed Packages

  • Address Verification: Please ensure all shipping data, apartment or suite numbers, and zip codes are accurate at checkout. We cannot redirect packages once dispatched to the carrier.

  • Carrier Delays & Theft: AquaRheo Lab is not responsible for porch theft following a confirmed carrier delivery scan or transit delays resulting from severe weather acts of nature. If a package shows delivered but cannot be located, contact the carrier directly with your tracking number to initiate a search inquiry before contacting our support desk.

  • Support Inquiries: For questions regarding pending fulfillment or route tracking, contact our logistics desk at support@aquarheolab.com.