How to Buy

If this is your first time buying live fish imported from overseas, please take a moment to read all the information on this page.

The image below illustrates the simple steps for shipping your betta from Virajes to you.

How to Order Your Betta Fish

We ship worldwide using a reliable network of transhippers to ensure your fish arrives safely and in excellent condition. Please follow these steps to place your order:

  1. Contact Your Local Transhipper: Please contact us before place an order, we will provide you with the contact details of our trusted transhipper partner in your country. This transhipper is the crucial link for handling the import process and final delivery of your fish. Please contact them directly to confirm their specific shipping and handling costs and agree on their terms.
  2. Place and Pay for Your Order: Once you’ve made an agreement with the transhipper in your country, you can place your order and pay for your order. We’ll handle the rest.
  3. Shipping to the Transhipper: We will prepare your fish for shipment to our transhipper in Indonesia. The delivery to your country will be scheduled to align with the transhipper’s next available shipping date to ensure your fish arrives in the best possible condition. We will notify you once the shipment has been sent.
  4. Receiving Your Fish: The transhipper in your country will receive the shipment and handle all the necessary customs clearance and import procedures. They will then contact you to arrange the final delivery to your address.
  5. Final Delivery: Upon receiving your new betta fish, please check its condition immediately. We recommend documenting the unpacking process with a video. This is important for our Live Arrival Guarantee, should you need to file a claim.

 

Understanding the Role of a Transhipper

When importing live animals like Betta fish, a licensed specialist known as a Transhipper is required by law in most countries. They are an essential partner in ensuring your fish arrives to you safely and legally.

What is a Transhipper?
Think of a Transhipper as your official, local import partner in your country. They are professionals who specialize in:

  • Receiving live animal shipments at the airport.

  • Handling all complex customs and import regulations.

  • Arranging for any legally required quarantine periods.

  • Ensuring the final, safe delivery from the airport to your address.

Why is a Transhipper Necessary?
The import process for live animals involves strict regulations designed to protect local ecosystems and ensure animal welfare. Transhippers are licensed and have the expertise to navigate these rules—a task that cannot be handled directly by the sender (Virajes Betta) or the receiver (the customer).

Important to Note:
Transhippers are independent, licensed businesses in their respective countries. They are not employees of Virajes Betta, but they are vital partners in the international shipping chain. Using a transhipper service is the standard and most secure method in the international ornamental fish trade.

 

Our Worldwide Shipping Fees Explained

For full transparency, it’s important to understand that the total cost to get your fish to your address involves two separate payments made to two different parties.


Payment 1: Paid to Virajes Betta at Checkout

This is the amount you pay to Virajes Betta. This payment covers:

  • The Price of Your Selected Fish: The cost of the fish itself.

  • Shipping fee: This includes all costs for professional packing, handling, and freight to export the fish from Indonesia to your country.


Payment 2: Paid Directly to the Transhipper in Your Country

After your fish arrives in your country, the Transhipper will contact you to arrange the final delivery. You will pay for their services directly to them. This payment is separate from what you paid to Virajes Betta.

The Transhipper’s fee typically covers:

  • Customs & Import Services: The cost for handling all import paperwork and processes.
  • Applicable Taxes or Duties: Any taxes required by your country’s government.
  • Quarantine Fees: If a quarantine period is required by local authorities.
  • Domestic Shipping Costs: The cost of shipping from their facility (usually near the airport) to your home address.

 

Action Required Before Ordering

To understand the full cost upfront, we require that you contact the Transhipper in your country before you complete your purchase on Virajes Betta.

Please ask them for a complete price quote covering all their services and fees.

We can provide you with a trusted transhipper in your country who cooperates with our local transhipper in Indonesia. Please provide your shipping address, and we will gladly share their contact information.