Our family koi farm has a very rich history and appreciation of Nishikigoi. Their safety is of the utmost importance.

We love two things above all else:

  • Raising the healthiest, most beautiful koi
  • Uniting koi with new homes and enthusiasts

It is our job to ensure that koi arrive safely and we take extra effort in our packaging to keep the koi happy and healthy.

Shipping koi can be a challenge and confusing, so we want to give you some more information on our processes along with an overview of our costs for sending koi to you.

Due to the stress on our koi, we have always had the highest quality shipping processes in place. Sending our friends across the ocean is a careful process from beginning to end. These living jewels can live over 50 years and, like humans, long travel can be stressful and exhausting!

We want to thank our customers for their commitment to the health and well-being of their koi, it would sadden us to think that our lovely fish would go to a home where their well-being is not cherished as a family member’s would-be.

Lower costs on shipping means a greater possibility to harm or kill our precious koi.

We are thankful that you all understand this by choosing Kodama Koi Farm vs. businesses that offer lower costs and potentially cutting corners at the risk of the koi’s health.

Increased costs coming from UPS, have required us to make adjustments to our shipping fees for small, medium and large boxes. In this article, we would like to make sure you understand the costs and the importance of extra effort in our shipping process, so let’s take a moment to go over our fees and process.

Kodama Koi Farm’s main goal is, and always will be, ensuring your koi arrive safe and healthy!

UPS USA Koi Shipping Costs by Box Size

This chart shows our old shipping costs and the new costs by box size to help you better predict costs of koi you will buy. If you have any questions, contact us with your koi and we will help you define the costs. Combine more koi together to get the best prices per koi inside a larger box.

Symptoms Disease Category
White cloud like opaque mucus on the body surface. White Could disease, Chilodonella, Ichthyobodo, White Spot disease, Trichodina, Gyrodactylus, Dactylogyrus. Body/External
The body surface is opaque and cloudy. Chilodonella, White Spot disease, Cold. Body/External
Abnormal secretion of mucus. Gyrodactylus, Dactylogyrus, Columnaris disease, Bacterial White Cloud disease. Body/External
Loss of mucus/slime coat (on skin), skin feels like “sandpaper”. Chilodonella, Gyrodactylus, Dactylogyrus Body/External
Numerous white spots. White Spot disease Body/External
Red congestion or bleeding. Chilodonella, Ichthyobodo, Trichodina, Gyrodactylus, Dactylogyrus, Argulosis, Epistyliasis, Dropsy (Pinecone disease), White Spot disease, White Cloud disease, Edema disease. Body/External
“Worm-hole” like appearance of scales with white spots on the skin. Epistyliasis Body/External
Red congestion on the fins. Fins become split, like a broom. Columnaris disease Body/External
The scales are coming off. Skin loses slime coat/mucus, may become/appear white. Columnaris disease Body/External
Mold or fungus stuck to the body. Fungal infection, Hole disease. Body/External
Scales rise up/protruding in a particular area or entire body, like a pine cone. Pinecone disease, Hole disease, Epistyliasis, White Cloud disease. Body/External
Holes on the scales/skin. Hole disease Body/External
Holes on the scales/skin as well as other parts of the body. New hole disease Body/External
Red congestion, red spots, and/or ulcers on the body. Red disease or Motile Aeromonas, New hole disease, Hole disease. Body/External
Swollen abdomen. Pinecone disease, Intestinal Thelohanellosis, Cold. Body/External
White or pale pink tumors. Papilloma Body/External
Protuberant tumors only in the red/scarlet parts of skin. Hikui disease (red color/pattern rot disease) Body/External
Translucent, rod-like parasite that is approx. 0.2 inches (5mm) to 0.4 inches (10mm) in size. Anchor Worm (parasite). Body/External
Translucent, disc-shaped parasite that is approx. 0.2 inches (5mm) in diameter. Argulosis, Argulus Infestation, or Fish Louse Body/External
Anus becomes red or bleeding. Overfeeding, bloating of the abdominal region, poor digestion. Body/External
Body of juvenile Koi becomes swollen and transparent. Edema disease. Body/External
Gathering around the water return/waterfall. Hole disease, White Spot disease, Gyrodactylus, Dactylogyrus, Chilodonella, Ichthyobodo, Columnaris Disease, Apiosoma, Myxobolus Koi infection,, Dropsy (Pinecone disease), Edema disease. Swimming & Grouping
Gathering around the water outlet; bottom drain/skimmer. Chilodonella, Gyrodactylus, Dactylogyrus, White Spot disease, Edema disease. Swimming & Grouping
Will not come up to be fed. White Spot disease, White Cloud disease, Argulosis, Hole disease, Pinecone disease, Ichthyobodo, Chilodonella, Dactylogyrus, Gyrodactylus, Columnaris, Myxobolus Koi infection, Intestinal Thelohanellosis, Apiosoma. Swimming & Grouping
One or several Koi swim separately from the rest of the group. Stays away from other Koi in the corners/bottom of pond. Gill disease, Argulosis, White Spot disease, Columnaris. Swimming & Grouping
Koi stays still on the bottom of the pond. White Spot disease, Trichodina, Chilodonella, Ichthyobodo, Argulosis, Myxobolus Koi infection, Gyrodactylus, Dactylogyrus. Swimming & Grouping
Koi is laying down at bottom of pond. Sleeping Disease, Cold. Swimming & Grouping
Swimming slowly and lethargically. Chilodonella, Columnaris, Dactylogyrus, Gyrodactylus, Argulosis, Myxobolus Koi Infection, Apiosoma, Edema disease, Dropsy, White Cloud Disease, Cold, Bloating of the abdominal region. Swimming & Grouping
Floating at or near surface of water. Argulosis, White Spot disease, Myxobolus Koi infection, Gyrodactylus, Dactylogyrus, Trichodina, Chilodonella, Columnaris, Ichthyobodo, Edema disease, Apiosoma, KHV (Koi Herpes Virus). Swimming & Grouping
Rubbing against the walls or bottom of pond. White Spot disease, Argulosis, Anchor Worm, Epistyliasis, Chilodonella, Myxobolus, Gyrodactylus, Ichthyobodo, Columnaris. Swimming & Grouping
Shaking the dorsal or pelvic fins. Anchor Worm. Swimming & Grouping
Swimming/reacting hyper sensitively. Anchor Worm, Argulosis, White Spot disease, pH shock. Swimming & Grouping
Jumping out of the water often/repeatedly. Anchor Worm (parasite). Swimming & Grouping
Swelling in the pectoral region with sagging abdomen which is partly constricted. Pectoral swelling, sagging abdomen. Body/Appearance
Swollen and curved abdomen. Bloating of the abdominal region. Body/Appearance
Becoming skinny due to loss of flesh on the dorsal region. Chilodonella, Bloating of the abdominal region. Body/Appearance
Bulging eyes or eyes popping out. Pinecone disease, Bloating of abdominal region. Body/Appearance
Sunken eyes. Chilodonella, Bloating of the abdominal region. Body/Appearance
Rotten and infected eyes. Hole disease, Columnaris. Body/Appearance
Deformed or damaged mouth, fins, or gills. Columnaris Body/Appearance
Convulsions, or windy/erratic swimming. Atrophic Loin Body/Appearance
Becoming white around the gills. Chilodonella, Gyrodactylus, Dactylogyrus Gills
The gills become white due to abnormal secretion of mucus. Gyrodactylus, Dactylogyrus, Ichthyobodo, Chilodonella, Trichodina, Myxobolus Gills
The base of the gill covers become white. Columnaris Gills
The white gills are observed when the gill covers are opened. Columnaris, Apiosoma Gills
The center of the gills become gray or yellow and is damaged. Columnaris Gills
The white granular spots are observed on the gill tissues. Myxobolus Gills
The gill covers remain open. Myxobolus, Gyrodactylus Gills
The gills become reddish black. Myxobolus Gills
Drastic mass mortality. Oxygen Deficiency, Columnaris, Red Disease or Molile Aeromonas Disease, KHV, Poisonous Substances How Koi Died
Several Koi die every day. Columnaris, White Cloud Disease, Fungus Disease or Saprolegniasis, Parasitic or Bacterial Disease How Koi Died
No abnormalities were observed until previous day. However, a few Koi suddenly start dying every day. Columnaris, Gill Rot Disease How Koi Died
Koi dies after making frantic efforts. Columnaris How Koi Died
Koi swims inactively around the pouring water pipe and dies. Columnaris, Myxobolus How Koi Died
Koi whose body surface solely and slightly becomes red dies. Columnaris How Koi Died
The bigger or fatter Koi starts to die first. Oxygen Deficiency How Koi Died

*  This is a guideline and we reserve the right to adjust the number of koi that are shipped together for any reason we feel might affect the safety of the koi!

Prices include UPS and minimum cost of boxes, plastic bags etc.

Note: Additional $20.00 per box for Saturday delivery. Any koi that is over 18.6 inches is shipped by itself in one large box.

UPS insurance is 4% of the koi’s value and an additional cost.

 

Why High Quality Koi Shipping?

Shipping a living being comes with a great responsibility. Just like you and me, travel is tiring for koi, but because they live and breathe in water, it is especially time sensitive.

Over many years, we have developed detailed processes to follow and ensure shipping Koi works best. If you are bidding on several koi, we would like to work with you to help save you shipping costs while still keeping your koi safe and comfortable. If unsure costs, please call or email us to confirm shipping costs or ask any specific questions, before purchase.

Oxygen levels can get low, so Koi need to get from here to there fast while leaving some cushion for any unforeseen delays. That means both you and us have to be strict and not push delivery or pick up to the last minute, which could put our friends in danger.

48 Hr Prep Time – If you have a specific date that you want your koi by, remember we need two days (48 hours) before we ship to prepare the fish. Most importantly, we will stop feeding so their travel is clean of waste and keeps the water fresher for breathing. This is similar to when you go to surgery, and it is NOT negotiable for the safety of the koi.

High Quality Packaging – The products we use for shipping are high quality and what we have learned over many years will lead to the safest delivery of koi. Rather than trying to offer the absolute lowest cost, we have chosen to offer the best in koi packaging and take extra care to manage water conditions, temperature and delivery time.

Kodama Shipping Options

Review our FAQs for more details on shipping. Here are the most important parts for you to understand.

Always contact us after purchasing to confirm shipping date and shipping method. Shipping is paid for separately after checkout. Contact us prior to confirm the costs of a certain set of koi you want to order.

 

 

We have THREE SHIPPING OPTIONS:

UPS: Ships directly to your door, with most areas having a delivery time by 12:30. We ask you to make sure someone is available to immediately open the koi package and start the onboarding quarantine process and any other process to introduce your fish to their new home. Be especially aware that they are not left in the sun or other hot areas as it will decrease the oxygen faster.

Insurance: UPS will insure the koi for any mechanical failures or delays on their end for a cost of 4% of koi value. We recommend you do this, as it is a small price and can save you in case of the worst case scenario. They will not cover weather delays or any issues on your end that delay picking up your package as discussed.

Our 24 hour koi health guarantee: Any request to alter the shipping/packing recommendation requires a waiver of the 24 hour koi health guarantee to be sent to Kodama Koi Farm via email. Based on our farm’s packing recommendation for your shipment.

Shipping Tracking: UPS ships directly to your door. Your shipment is delivered from Hawaii via UPS Next Day Air. In most cities and locations, UPS delivery usually arrives by 12:30 pm; but can vary based on location. Delivery time for some rural areas may be different. Please check the estimate arrival time with UPS (1-800-PickUPS). You will also receive your tracking number via email from UPS directly on the day your koi ships.

Saturday UPS Delivery: There is an additional fee of $20.00 per box for Saturday deliveries. The Saturday delivery option is not available in all areas. There is some risk when opting for Saturday UPS delivery. Shipping delays are rare, however it does happen from time to time. A shipping delay may result in your koi not arriving until Monday. Because of this possibility, we highly recommend that you purchase UPS insurance for these deliveries.

Shipping to Other Countries: It depends, as each country requires various documents, one being a health certificate. Please find out from your appropriate government agency what documents are necessary for you to complete in order to import Koi into your country.

Holding Koi & Boarding Services: Yes, we can hold koi while you bid on others.. We understand it is important that you combine your winnings to save on the shipping cost. Therefore, farm can hold your Koi for up to 14 days with a koi health guarantee. During this period, please bid and find companions for your shipment. Contact our office by email or phone within 3 days to let us know of your intentions. Purchase the koi online or call and provide us with your credit card number to confirm your winnings. If you would like to board your Koi (for example during the winter), this is offered only on a case-by-case basis and pond availability. If approved, the cost is $50/Koi per month (fees are non-refundable). If a Koi becomes ill, we will treat it at no additional cost to you. NO replacements or refunds will be offered if a boarding Koi loses its color or dies/

Koi Health Guarantee: We guarantee the health of your koi while it is on the farm during the holding period. We will guarantee the life of koi for 48 hours from the packing time, provided that koi is shipped out within the holding period. Shipping problems rarely occur, but they do happen. If you experience a problem with your delivery, please contact us as soon as possible by phone or email. Please also send photos of your koi if they are sick or dead and packaging if it is damaged. This will help expedite any claims and provide possible koi treatment solutions if necessary. For more information about koi health guarantee please click here.

No Returns / Only Store Credit: We do not accept returns for koi, all koi sales are final. Keeping our koi and facility as clean as possible is critical to assure delivery of clean and healthy koi to our customers. Therefore, once the Koi leaves our farm and has experienced other waters, we do not allow any koi to come back for any reason. Avoiding cross contamination is the best practice.

Review our FAQs for more details on shipping.

 

Start Shopping for Koi

We have many different ways you can buy koi for sale from our farm.

Choosing by breeder, price range, variety, or just finding a beauty that catches your attention is how we generally recommend people buy koi. If you are not sure, you can always send us a koi request form and we will try to find the koi you are looking for. Use these links to view koi on our website:

 

Thank you for your support of our family business and your dedication to helping us raise happy, healthy, and beautiful koi for the world to admire.

If you have any more questions not answered in our FAQs, please give us a call or email before you purchase to ensure we are all on the same page about shipping options.