Payment & Shipping
Here you will find all the important details about our terms and conditions, which are designed to make your shopping experience with us as pleasant and secure as possible. We offer various payment methods to meet your needs. You can conveniently pay by PayPal or bank transfer in advance. Our payment processes are secure and encrypted, so your data is always protected. Shipping costs are calculated based on the weight of the order and the delivery destination.
Our payment methods: Simple and secure
In our shop, we place great importance on security and convenience when shopping. Therefore, we only offer PayPal and prepayment as payment options.
PayPal: Use your PayPal account for fast, secure, and uncomplicated payment processing. With PayPal, you not only enjoy protection through PayPal buyer protection, but also benefit from the ability to make quick transactions without entering your bank details for each purchase.
Prepayment by real-time transfer: If you choose prepayment, you will receive all the necessary information for the transfer from us immediately after placing your order. Please use the real-time transfer function, as we will have to cancel your order if payment is not received within 48 hours.
Shipping policy
We ship orders within Germany and, upon request, to EU countries. We do not currently offer deliveries to Switzerland or the United Kingdom, and these are excluded.
Pickup
You can pick up your order free of charge in Kirchardt during our opening hours or by prior arrangement: The Marine Center GmbH, Am Bruchgraben 22, 74912 Kirchardt.
Please contact us after placing your order to arrange a pickup date.
Delivery times
If no specific delivery time is stated in the product description, the goods are usually shipped within 1 to 5 business days after confirmation of the order and after full payment has been received. For international shipments, the delivery time is 2 to 7 business days, whereby the period begins upon receipt of payment for prepayments.
A maximum transport time of 24 hours applies to the transport of animals. For orders of live animals, a preferred delivery date within 14 days can be specified. If we are unable to meet this date, we will contact you in advance.
Live animals are shipped from Monday to Friday, so delivery takes place from Tuesday to Saturday. There are no shipments on Sundays and public holidays.
Saturday delivery is only possible within Germany and at an additional surcharge.
Step by step: How we ship live animals
Step 1: Order preparation
Once we have received your payment, we will prepare your ordered animals for shipping. To ensure timely delivery, your order should be placed at least one day before the desired shipping date. After placing your order, you will receive an order confirmation by email.
Step 2: Packaging and handover
We pack all animals carefully and professionally to ensure their well-being during transport. The package is then handed over to our shipping partners.
Step 3: Delivery
Your order will be delivered to the address you specified within 24 hours of being handed over to the shipping service provider. It is important that you are present at the delivery address at the agreed time to ensure acceptance.
Step 4: Delivery attempts
If the delivery person has trouble finding you, they will try to reach you by phone. Please ensure that you can be reached by phone on the day of delivery so that any delivery issues can be quickly resolved.
Step 5: Adjustment of delivery dates
We reserve the right to postpone delivery dates—in consultation with you, of course. Such adjustments are necessary when weather conditions such as extreme cold or heat (temperatures below -10°C or above 35°C) do not allow for the safe transport of live animals.
Step 6: Package tracking
The shipping confirmation email contains a link that allows you to track the status of your package online at any time.
Our guarantee: Live arrival.
We raise and care for all our animals with the utmost care and under strict quality controls. We assume the shipping risk, but we ask you to accept packages with external damage, as returning them would endanger the animals' survival.
Upon receipt of the delivery, please first check whether the condition of the animals has been affected by transport or damaged packaging. If, despite our careful preparations, an animal has not survived transport, please document this by taking photos of the animals in the sealed transport bag and sending them to our email address info@themarinecenter.de.
Further information on how to make a complaint can be found in our complaints policy. Your legal rights remain unaffected by this regulation.
Packaging for live animal orders
The shipping price includes both the costs for safe transport and reliable packaging. Our packaging solutions are specially designed for the transport of live animals and include the following elements:
- Sturdy outer packaging
- Eco-friendly thermoboxes
- Weather-adapted heat or cold packs
- Problem-free animal transport thanks to clear labeling
- Special packaging for corals
- Compostable foil inlay
- Double-walled transport bags for fish
- Oxygen supply for particularly sensitive animals
These measures ensure that your animals are transported under optimal conditions and arrive at your location in good health.
Shipping costs - Product orders (including statutory VAT)
We offer free shipping within Germany for orders over €199. The prices listed on the product pages include VAT.
In addition to the prices listed, we charge a flat shipping fee per order. The shipping costs are clearly indicated on the product pages, in the shopping cart, and on the order page.
Delivery within Germany takes 2-5 business days.
Express shipping is available for an additional charge and by arrangement, as is Saturday delivery.