With clear skies and great packaging, we ship fresh lobster to just about anywhere in the USA. We have even shipped fresh seafood to Hawaii and as far away as the North Pole! Seriously. (Sorry, at this time we are not shipping outside the United States).
You can enjoy fresh seafood from the dock delivered to your home tomorrow night thanks to our special handling that keeps it fresh and fast shipping.
Live Maine lobster is a delicious delicacy that is loved by seafood fans across the country. Thanks to modern shipping methods, you can now enjoy fresh-caught lobster no matter where you live. Mailing live lobsters overnight means you can savor their sweet, briny flavor within 24 hours of being caught off the coast of Maine.
Ordering live lobster online and having it shipped to your door is easier than ever. Keep reading for a complete guide to safely shipping live lobster so you can enjoy this seasonal treat anytime.
Overview of Mailing Live Lobster
Transporting live lobsters by mail is a common practice for online seafood retailers Lobsters can survive out of water for 24-48 hours if kept cool and moist Reputable companies use insulated boxes and gel packs to create an optimal environment for shipping the lobsters.
Most live lobster shippers offer overnight delivery. This ensures the lobsters arrive as soon as possible after leaving cold Maine waters Order early in the week to avoid lobsters being stuck in transit over weekends or holidays
When you order live lobsters online, they are carefully packed and handed off to express shipping carriers like FedEx for fast, refrigerated delivery right to your address. This convenience allows you to enjoy fresh-caught flavor without traveling to the coast yourself.
Benefits of Buying Live Lobster Online
Purchasing live lobsters online offers many advantages over picking your own lobster at local fish markets or grocery stores
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Overnight Shipping: Lobsters ship direct from the cold Atlantic waters of Maine and arrive within 24 hours. Local lobster is often days or weeks old.
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Consistent Sizing: When you order online, you can choose specific lobster sizes like 1.25 lbs. Local selections vary day to day.
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Seasonal Availability: Live lobster dealers extend the season by shipping fresh catches in spring and fall when local supplies are low.
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Competitive Pricing: Online retailers ship in high volume, which brings down costs. Live lobster prices are very reasonable.
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Arrives Alive: Reputable shippers guarantee your lobster arrives healthy and active or they’ll send a free replacement.
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Easy Tracking: Shipments include tracking numbers so you can follow your lobster’s journey to your doorstep.
How to Order and Ship Live Lobster
Follow these steps for stress-free live lobster ordering and shipping:
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Select Your Lobster: Choose from sizes like 1.25 lb, 1.5 lb, 2 lb, etc. based on your needs. Pick hard-shell for premium flavor.
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Choose Delivery Date: Order by 12pm EST for next day delivery Tuesday through Saturday to most locations.
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Track Shipping: Your live lobster shipment will include a tracking number for monitoring.
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Have Supplies Ready: Ensure you have a large pot, sea salt, and bags to store leftovers.
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Plan Ahead: Live lobsters can’t sit around, so only order 1-2 days before you want to cook them.
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Inspect Upon Arrival: Your lobster should arrive cold, dry, and lively. Give it a sniff test.
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Cook Promptly: Get your lobster in the pot within 24 hours of delivery for best quality.
How Live Lobsters Are Packed & Shipped
To endure the journey, live lobsters are carefully packed using these techniques:
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Chilled Gel Packs – Gel packs are frozen to 34°F and placed atop layers of lobsters for cooling.
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Insulated Boxes – Medical grade, waxed cardboard boxes maintain optimal temperature control.
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Seaweed – Damp seaweed is packed around lobsters to provide moisture.
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Cold Water – A small amount of cold sea water keeps lobsters hydrated.
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Foam Lining – Foam inserts prevent movement and physical damage.
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Breathable Air – Boxes have ventilated air holes so lobsters get ample oxygen.
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Expedited Shipping – Lobsters are sent via overnight carriers like FedEx for fast, refrigerated transit.
With proper packing methods, live lobsters arrive happy, healthy and ready for the pot!
Tips for Receiving Your Shipped Lobster
Follow these tips when your live lobster order arrives:
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Inspect for signs of life like moving legs or antennas. A healthy lobster will be active.
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Give the lobster a sniff test. It should smell like fresh ocean, not fishy.
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Check for cracked shells or lifeless lobsters and contact the company if any issues. They’ll send replacements.
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Keep the lobster chilled in the fridge until ready to cook, up to 36 hours.
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Cook your lobsters within 24 hours of delivery for optimal freshness and flavor.
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Boil or steam lobsters alive right after opening the package. Do not freeze if alive.
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If you need to delay cooking, place lobster in the fridge on damp paper towels, not directly on ice.
With proper, prompt handling your mailed lobsters will arrive kitchen-ready!
Cooking Your Delivered Live Lobster
Once your package arrives, it’s time for the fun part – cooking and eating! Follow these tips for preparing shipped live lobster:
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Boiling: Fill a large pot with 2-3 inches of water and add several tablespoons of salt. Heat to rolling boil. Carefully drop in live lobster and cook for 10-12 minutes until bright red.
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Steaming: Place a steamer basket in a large pot with 1-2 inches of water and salt. Bring to a boil. Add live lobster, cover, and steam for 8-10 minutes until bright red.
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Grilling: Split live lobster down the middle of the body and head. Grill meat-side down for 3 minutes. Flip and cook 3-4 minutes more until opaque.
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Eating: Use lobster crackers and picks to extract meat. Dip in melted butter and enjoy! Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days.
Live Lobster Shipping FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about buying live lobsters online:
Is it safe to ship live lobster?
Yes, reputable seafood retailers pack lobsters using proven methods to ensure safe transit.
Is shipped lobster as fresh as local?
Yes! Live lobsters arrive within 24 hours of the catch vs. local lobsters that can be days old.
Can lobsters survive shipping?
Healthy, active lobsters will arrive alive following overnight transit when packed correctly.
Isn’t mailing lobsters cruel?
Lobsters have simple nervous systems and don’t register pain the same as mammals. Quick, humane cooking is key.
What if my lobster arrives dead?
Reputable companies will refund or replace any dead lobsters that slip through.
Order Fresh Lobster Shipped Overnight
Don’t miss out on enjoying fresh and fabulous Maine lobster just because you don’t live near the coast! Having live lobster shipped overnight right to your doorstep makes indulging in this seasonal treat easy and convenient.
Next time a lobster craving strikes, skip the grocery store and order live lobsters online instead. With just a few clicks you can be cracking into delicious, tender lobster harvested from the Maine seas and delivered fresh to your home.
Lobster Online Order Deadlines
Online orders need to be received by 12 noon EST, the day your order ships. You can order now and schedule a delivery day at checkout with our date picker.
Were you too late? Get in touch with us here to see if we can still process your order the same day.
Christmas Shipping 2021: Our Recommendations
We’ve been shipping lobster and other seafood from Maine for 22 years, so we’ve seen it all, even crazy winter storms that keep flights from taking off or landing. We are always proactive and realistic. We never want to disappoint with false promises.
To make sure you get your order on time, we recommend the following:
- Because of shipping delays across the country, you should definitely order your Maine lobster early and put it in the freezer. Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) is the only way we freeze lobster meat and lobster tails. This keeps them fresh and flavorful until you’re ready to cook them.
- In 2021, a record number of packages will be sent, so don’t wait until the week before Christmas to send your gifts. Learn more about holiday shipping deadlines.
Next, we’d like to quickly go over our “from lobster trap to table” process to show you how much care and attention we put into every lobster we sell at LobsterAnywhere.
