Shipping & Delivery

1. Scope

This Policy applies to racing pigeons purchased through ELRAPI by auction, Buy Now or another marketplace transaction method and addresses seller-arranged shipment, local pickup and other delivery arrangements identified for the lot or transaction.

2. Domestic U.S. Shipping

ELRAPI may assign a standard Domestic Shipping charge to a lot for qualifying delivery within the United States. That charge is paid by the buyer and is separate from the pigeon sale price.

The Domestic Shipping charge is intended to help cover ordinary live-bird transportation and related handling for the transaction. The exact amount shown on the lot and checkout controls.

3. Shipping Amount Snapshot

ELRAPI administration may update the default Domestic Shipping amount for future lots. Each lot keeps the shipping amount assigned to it when the lot is created. Later global settings changes do not retroactively change the saved shipping amount for an existing lot.

4. Payment Before Shipping

A winning bid or confirmed Buy Now action creates a purchase obligation, but fulfillment should begin only after payment confirmation.

5. Shipping Methods

Available delivery methods may vary by seller, destination, carrier availability, weather, live-animal rules and legal requirements. Methods may include a carrier that accepts live birds, specialized live-animal transport, local pickup or another lawful arrangement approved for the transaction.

6. Seller Responsibilities

• ship the correct pigeon identified in the transaction;
• confirm the buyer’s delivery information before shipment;
• use a lawful and appropriate live-bird transport method;
• use suitable packaging and containers;
• provide tracking or shipment information when available or required;
• communicate significant delays;
• comply with carrier, animal-health and destination requirements.

7. Buyer Responsibilities

• provide a correct name, address, phone number and required delivery information;
• confirm that live-bird delivery is lawful and practical at the destination;
• pay the applicable shipping and transaction charges;
• monitor tracking and carrier communications;
• be available for delivery or pickup;
• report a serious delivery problem promptly.

A buyer may be responsible for additional costs caused by an incorrect address, refusal, missed pickup, failed delivery or another avoidable buyer-side issue.

8. Packaging & Live-Bird Care

Because racing pigeons are live animals, sellers must use reasonable care when preparing a bird for transportation. Packaging should be appropriate for the carrier, route, expected travel time and live-bird rules. A seller should not knowingly ship a pigeon that is visibly unfit for transport or when known conditions create an unreasonable welfare risk.

9. Weather & Shipping Delays

Shipment may be delayed because of extreme temperatures, storms, carrier restrictions, service interruptions or other conditions that create unreasonable transportation risk. A reasonable welfare or safety delay does not by itself constitute seller default when the seller communicates and ships as soon as conditions reasonably permit.

10. Tracking & Shipment Status

When tracking is available, the seller should provide the tracking number or shipment details through ELRAPI or another approved communication method. Buyers should monitor tracking and act promptly when the carrier requests pickup, identification or another delivery action.

ELRAPI may use carrier scans, tracking history, delivery confirmation and pickup records when determining transaction status or reviewing a dispute.

11. Delivery Confirmation & Payout

Verified carrier delivery or other accepted delivery evidence may start the seller payout-release period described in the Payments, Fees, Payouts & Disputes Policy. Buyer confirmation may make the payout eligible earlier if no hold exists.

A timely qualifying delivery or Buyer Protection issue may keep the payout held while ELRAPI reviews the matter.

12. Local Pickup

A seller may offer local pickup when appropriate. Pickup details should be coordinated only after payment is confirmed. Users should avoid publishing unnecessary private home addresses in public listings. The buyer should inspect the pigeon at pickup and raise any material issue promptly when reasonably possible.

13. Inspection on Delivery

Buyers should inspect the pigeon promptly after delivery or pickup. If a serious issue is discovered, preserve relevant photographs, video, band-number images, shipping container and label images, tracking records, veterinary documentation when relevant and communications with the seller or carrier.

14. Delivery Problems

Examples include failure to ship after payment, delivery of the wrong pigeon, material band-number mismatch, lost shipment, material delay, serious arrival-condition concerns or tracking records indicating a fulfillment problem.

ELRAPI may request evidence from both buyer and seller before marketplace intervention.

15. Loss, Damage & Carrier Claims

Carrier terms, claim procedures and liability limits may apply when a carrier loses, delays or damages a live-bird shipment. ELRAPI is not the carrier and does not control carrier operations, schedules, handling or claim decisions.

Buyer Protection may still apply when available evidence indicates that the seller failed to meet an obligation within the seller’s reasonable control.

16. International Shipping

International shipping is not included in the standard Domestic Shipping charge. International fulfillment may require a separate quote, exporter or importer arrangements, veterinary or health documentation, permits, customs processing, taxes, duties and destination-specific compliance.

ELRAPI does not guarantee that international shipping is available for every lot, seller or destination. International arrangements must be confirmed separately before shipment.

17. Legal & Health Requirements

Buyers and sellers are responsible for complying with laws, regulations, animal-health requirements, permits, restrictions and carrier rules applicable to the origin, destination and transportation method. ELRAPI may restrict or cancel fulfillment when a legal or transportation restriction makes shipment unlawful or impractical.

18. ELRAPI Role

Unless expressly identified as the shipper or seller, ELRAPI does not physically possess, package, transport or deliver the pigeon. ELRAPI may record and review payment status, shipping information, tracking, communications and other evidence.

19. Fraud & Abuse

Users may not submit false tracking, fabricate delivery evidence, intentionally provide a false address, falsely claim non-delivery or otherwise manipulate fulfillment. Fraud may result in denial of Buyer Protection, account restrictions or other administrative action.

20. Policy Changes

ELRAPI may update this Policy as shipping rates, carriers, marketplace features, transportation practices or legal requirements change. Existing lots retain their saved lot-specific shipping terms unless an authorized correction is required.

21. Contact

Questions or serious shipping problems should be submitted through ELRAPI support. Include the Lot ID, Transaction ID, tracking information and supporting documentation when available.