How Legal is it to Ship Bees via Mail in Colorado?

Transporting wild animals from place to place is a necessity and it may come as a surprise to you to learn just how many of these creatures, some of which are dangerous, are shipped via things like FedEx, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service.

One animal that serves an often underappreciated need and while merely uncomfortable to some, but dangerous to others, is shipped via the USPS frequently, but there are rules and regulations that must be met.

How Legal Is it to Ship Bees via Mail in Colorado?

The honeybee is a vital part of maintaining a thriving ecosystem, as well as the sole source of pure, real honey. Various factors have been threatening the livelihood of this important creature that plays a huge role in pollination in recent years and the need for conservation has never been higher.

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In order to accomplish this, honeybees often need to be shipped and while it's highly unlikely that you'll encounter a package full of bees, transporting them is vital at times.

In Colorado, in order for a honeybee to be shipped it must be disease-free, packed in a container that can withstand varying temperatures, and the USPS must be notified in order to keep these packages away from areas exposed to insecticides.

In addition, queen bees may be shipped via ground or air in a package clearly labeled, "Live Queen Bees" and may be accompanied by as many as eight other, non-queen honeybees.

However, honeybees not accompanied by a queen are only permitted to be shipped via ground in a package clearly marked with, "Live Bees" and another label designating the item for surface transportation only.

[USPS]