Can I change or cancel my order?

Change requests should be 10+ days before ship date. Cancellations or reschedules within 10 days may incur a $50 processing fee due to live-animal preparations.

Are bees okay over weekends or holidays?

USPS plants keep moving Priority Mail; counters may be closed Sundays/holidays. Pick up promptly once Available for Pickup; if closed, collect first thing next open day.

What comes in the package and how do I install?

Each package includes ~3 lb bees, a mated/marked queen, and a feed can. Keep cool/shaded after pickup and install promptly using our video and quick-start guide.

FAQ

Q: Where will my bees be delivered?

USPS Hold for Pickup to your designated Post Office, not to your home. Pick up when the Post Office calls or when tracking shows Available for Pickup.

Q: How do I confirm my pickup Post Office?

Use the USPS Location Finder and select Pickup Hold Mail to see the facility that handles Hold-for-Pickup for your address.

Q: How long will shipping take?

Most packages arrive 1–5 business days from ship date. USPS plants operate daily (including weekends).

Q: Why isn’t tracking updating?

Scans can be intermittent—packages may travel in inner sacks that get scanned as a group. It’s common to jump from origin to Available for Pickup. File a Missing Mail Search after 7 business days without movement.

Q: Can my bees ship earlier than my selected date?

Sometimes yes, due to volume and USPS capacity. We email tracking the day your order ships.

Q: What if my package arrives in poor condition?

Photograph the package (top, sides, queen cage, feed can) and contact us within 24 hours with photos and your order number. We resolve via replacement (if inventory allows) or credit under our live-arrival policy.

Q: Is my phone number on the label?

Yes—your number is printed on the label so the Post Office can call you. You can also call them with your tracking number.

🐝 USPS Direct Packages — FAQ

📅 Seasonal Availability: Package bees are produced and shipped late March through mid-May only. Outside this window, products may appear online for reference but are not available for purchase.

✅ Delivery: USPS Hold for Pickup to your designated Post Office (not home delivery).
📦 What you get: ~3 lbs of bees, a mated/marked queen, and a feed can for transit.
🛡️ Live-Arrival Policy: Contact us within 24 hours with photos if there’s an issue.

📦 Shipping, Delivery & Pickup

Where will my bees be delivered?

Bees ship Hold for Pickup to your designated USPS Post Office (not to your home). You’ll pick them up at the counter when the Post Office calls or when tracking shows Available for Pickup.

How do I confirm my pickup Post Office?

Use the USPS Location Finder and select Pickup Hold Mail. It will show the facility that handles Hold-for-Pickup for your address.

Why it might be different than my nearest counter

USPS routes Hold-for-Pickup to locations that provide that service for your address, which isn’t always the closest retail counter.

Do you deliver to my home?

No. For survivability and USPS handling rules, packages are picked up at the Post Office counter with ID.

⏱️ Timing & Tracking

How long will shipping take?

Most packages arrive 1–5 business days from the ship date. USPS processing plants operate daily (including weekends), though most retail counters are closed Sundays.

Can my bees ship earlier than my selected date?

Sometimes, yes. High volumes and USPS capacity can move orders a few days early. We email tracking the day your order ships—please be ready for a pickup call even if tracking lags.

Why isn’t tracking updating?

Scans can be intermittent—especially when individual packages ride inside netted/inner sacks; USPS may scan the sack but not every label. It’s common for tracking to “jump” from origin to Available for Pickup. If tracking hasn’t moved after 7 business days, file a USPS Missing Mail Search.

🛠️ USPS Rules (What’s on the Box)

Required markings

Worker-bee packages: “LIVE BEES” and “SURFACE ONLY” / “SURFACE MAIL ONLY” on the address side. Queen-only shipments may travel by air (1 queen + ≤8 attendants per piece). Optional labels include USPS Label 27 “Bee Ware!” and Label 127 “Surface Transportation Only.”

🗓️ Order Changes, Cancellations & Weather

Can I change my ship date?

Yes—please request ≥10 days in advance so we can re-queue production and routing. Late changes may not be possible.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations or reschedules within 10 days of your scheduled ship date may incur a $50 non-refundable processing fee due to live-animal preparations already in motion.

Bad weather in the forecast?

Contact us ASAP. We’ll help reschedule to protect survivability. USPS plants keep moving mail, but local counter hours and extreme temps/wind can affect safe pickup.

🕘 Weekends & Holidays

How are weekends/holidays handled?

USPS plants keep moving Priority Mail on weekends, but most counters are closed Sundays and holidays. Pick up promptly once tracking shows Available for Pickup. If a closure delays pickup, collect first thing on the next open day.

☎️ Contact on Label & Post Office Communication

Is my phone number on the label?

Yes—your phone number prints on the shipping label so the Post Office can call you when the bees are ready. If your clerk can’t find it, let them know it’s on the label; you can also proactively call with your tracking number.

📦 What’s in the Package & Installation

Package contents

~3 lb of healthy bees • 1 mated, marked queen in a cage • 1 feed can for transit.

Installation help

Follow our step-by-step video and quick-start guide (linked in your order confirmation and pre-ship emails). After pickup: keep bees cool and shaded, then install promptly.

🐝 DOA (Dead-on-Arrival) & Replacements

What if my package arrives in poor condition?

Photograph the package (top, sides, queen cage, feed can) at pickup if possible, and contact us within 24 hours with photos and your order number. We’ll resolve via replacement (if inventory allows) or credit under our live-arrival policy.

Note: USPS standard insurance generally does not cover live-animal loss; we handle DOA directly with you.

🧭 “Wrong” Post Office or Routing Questions

The parcel shows at an unexpected office—now what?

Verify your Hold-for-Pickup location via the USPS Location Finder. If it’s already at a different office, bring ID and pick up there. (Before arrival, USPS Package Intercept can sometimes redirect—fees apply and it isn’t always available.)

💬 Need Help?

We’re here for changes, tracking, or pickup questions.
📞 (877) 865-0298 • 📧 info@ohbees.com

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