1. Service Area
- Canada-Wide Shipping — All provinces and territories. Aquarium plants ship everywhere in Canada with no restrictions.
- Local Delivery — Available within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including Markham and surrounding cities
- In-Store Pickup — Available at our Markham, Ontario location
- International Shipping — Not currently available
⚠️ Remote areas (Northern Ontario, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon, etc.) may have limited shipping options or extended transit times for plants. Please contact us before placing your order to confirm availability.
2. Shipping Methods & Estimated Delivery Times
Standard Shipping (Live Plants Only)
| Region | Estimated Delivery |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 1–2 business days |
| Quebec & Atlantic Provinces | 2–3 business days |
| Western Canada (BC, AB, SK, MB) | 3–5 business days |
| Remote / Northern Regions | 5–7+ business days |
Next-Day Delivery Requirement (Live Shrimp, Fish & Snails)
New PolicyLive shrimp, fish, and snails are the most sensitive part of any order, so we hold them to a stricter shipping standard than plants. We only ship live animals to addresses where we have a courier able to guarantee next-day delivery.
- If a next-day courier isn't available to your address, we will not automatically ship your livestock. We'll either hold the order and contact you to discuss options, or in some cases cancel and refund the livestock portion of your order.
- This restriction applies to livestock only — plants are never affected and ship everywhere in Canada as normal.
- If your order contains both plants and livestock and your address isn't covered for next-day delivery, we'll reach out to sort out the best path (splitting the shipment, a plant-only order, or a refund on the livestock items).
| Region | Estimated Delivery (Livestock, Next-Day) |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Next business day |
| Quebec / Maritimes | Next business day (where courier coverage allows) |
| Western Canada | Next business day (where courier coverage allows) |
Local Delivery (GTA)
- Available Tuesday through Saturday
- Orders placed before 10:00 AM may qualify for same-day delivery (subject to availability)
- Delivery fees are calculated at checkout based on postal code
- A delivery window will be provided via email or SMS
In-Store Pickup
- Free of charge
- Weekdays: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Weekends: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (by advance notice only)
- Pickup orders are held for a maximum of 3 days — please arrange pickup within this window
- Pickup is by appointment only. All pickups must be confirmed by AquaPlantz in advance — without confirmation, you cannot come for pickup
- You will receive an email notification when your order is ready
- Please bring your order confirmation at pickup
3. Shipping Rates
Shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on order weight, dimensions, and destination.
| Order Type | Destination | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plants only | Ontario | From $9.99 |
| Plants only | Rest of Canada | From $14.99 |
| Live shrimp / fish / snails | Ontario | From $19.99 (Next-Day) |
| Live shrimp / fish / snails | Rest of Canada (where next-day coverage available) | From $29.99 (Next-Day) |
| Mixed orders | Canada-wide | Based on livestock requirements |
| Local delivery (GTA) | Markham & surrounding | From $5.99 |
| In-store pickup | Markham, ON | Free |
🌿 Free shipping on plant-only orders over $100 within Ontario (exclusions may apply)
4. Live Arrival Guarantee
Aquaplantz guarantees that all live plants, shrimp, and fish will arrive alive and in good health. If your livestock arrives dead on arrival (DOA), we will offer a replacement or refund, subject to the conditions below.
⚠️ The Live Arrival Guarantee applies only to orders shipped via next-day delivery to eligible addresses and does not apply to standard (plant-only) shipping methods.
To Qualify:
- Packages must be opened and inspected within 2 hours of delivery
- Clear photo or video evidence must be submitted within 2 hours
- Packages must not be exposed to extreme temperatures (below 5°C or above 30°C)
- Claims are invalid if a slower shipping method was selected against our recommendation
- Claims must be submitted to hello@aquaplantz.com with your order number and supporting media
Exclusions:
- Customer unavailable after one or more delivery attempts
- Natural plant melt (normal transition process)
- Delays caused by carriers, weather, or other factors beyond our control
5. Packaging & Temperature Protection
We carefully package all orders to ensure safe transit:
- Livestock is shipped in insulated boxes with heat or ice packs depending on the season
- Plants are wrapped in moist material and sealed to maintain humidity
- Eco-friendly packaging is used whenever possible
⚠️ During extreme temperatures (below -5°C or above 32°C), shipments may be delayed.
🔥 Heat packs are included FREE on orders $150 CAD or more. For orders under $150, the appropriate heat pack will be added to your order at checkout based on your shipping distance.
6. Order Processing & Shipping Schedule
Updated| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Order Cut-Off | Monday at 12:00 PM (EST) |
| Processing Time | 1–2 business days |
| Shipping Days | Tuesdays and Wednesdays (exact day depends on courier pickup schedule and route) |
| Holiday Delays | Possible during statutory holidays |
📦 Orders ship out on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week. Orders placed after the Monday cut-off will ship the following week. Live shrimp, fish, and snail orders additionally require next-day courier coverage to your address before they can ship — see Section 2.
7. Order Tracking
- Tracking information will be emailed once your order has been dispatched
- Orders can be tracked via the carrier or our website
- Customers are responsible for monitoring tracking and receiving deliveries promptly
- If you do not receive tracking within 2 business days, contact: hello@aquaplantz.com
8. Failed Delivery & Package Refusal
If a package is returned due to:
- Incorrect address
- Failed delivery attempts
- Customer refusal
Then:
- Re-shipping will require an additional shipping fee
- Live arrival cannot be guaranteed for returned items
- No refunds or replacements will be issued for losses due to failed delivery
Please ensure your shipping information is accurate before placing your order.
9. Weather & Seasonal Shipping Holds
To protect your livestock, shipments may be delayed during extreme weather conditions.
- Customers will be notified via email
- Most orders ship within 1–5 days once conditions improve
- Refunds are available upon request if you prefer not to wait
⚠️ We are not responsible for delays once the package has been handed to the carrier.
10. Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact us:
- Email: hello@aquaplantz.com
- Website: www.aquaplantz.com
- Location: Markham, Ontario, Canada
- Pickup Hours: Weekdays 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Weekends 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (by advance notice)
We are a passionate team of aquarists and plant lovers. Your livestock matters to us — we're committed to ensuring a safe and smooth delivery experience.