Lobster is a beloved delicacy that people love to enjoy for special occasions or to indulge in a luxurious meal. However lobsters are obviously not native to most locales. So if you want to feast on fresh lobster but don’t live near the coast you’ll likely need to have it shipped. But how much does it really cost to ship lobster straight to your door?
The cost of shipping lobster depends on several factors
- Distance and location
- Shipping speed
- Type of lobster product
- Weight of the order
- Time of year
In this guide, we’ll break down the costs associated with lobster shipping and help give you an idea of what to budget for your lobster delivery.
Overnight Shipping Costs
For the freshest, live lobsters, overnight shipping is the best option. This gets the lobsters from the dock to your door as quickly as possible.
Most reputable seafood companies offer free overnight shipping on orders over a certain dollar amount. For example, orders over $150 or $200 often qualify for free overnight delivery.
For smaller orders that don’t meet the minimum for free shipping, you can expect to pay a flat rate overnight shipping fee. This is generally around $30 to $50, depending on distance.
So if you’re getting live lobsters or other extremely perishable seafood like oysters, opt for overnight delivery and take advantage of free shipping thresholds when possible.
2-Day Shipping Costs
If you order lobster tails, lobster meat, canned lobster, or other less perishable lobster products, 2-day shipping may be an option.
This is a more affordable shipping method since it takes an extra day in transit. Expect 2-day shipping rates around $15 to $25 for basic ground service.
While you’ll save on shipping fees, keep in mind your lobster won’t be quite as fresh when it arrives. Make sure to use or freeze within a day or two.
Shipping Frozen Lobster
Many companies ship frozen lobster tails, meat, and dinners at more affordable 2-day shipping rates.
Frozen seafood can safely be shipped with a cold pack to keep it chilled during transit. The frozen state preserves freshness for the extra day or two of shipping.
You can often get free 2-day frozen lobster shipping on larger orders just like with live products. Or budget $20 to $30 for small orders.
Shipping Canned Lobster Products
Canned lobster meat, broths, bisques, and other shelf-stable products can be shipped via regular ground service. This keeps the cost down since refrigeration and rushed delivery isn’t necessary.
Expect to pay standard ground shipping rates for your area, generally $8 to $15 for smaller packages. Always check the estimated rate at checkout.
Does Distance Impact Cost?
Yes, the distance between the shipper and your delivery address will impact the shipping fees. Places located farther from the coast and lobster sources will pay slightly higher rates.
But most overnight and 2-day shipping services from seafood companies set standard flat rates for lower 48 states. Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico are exceptions with higher rates due to distance and logistics.
You can input your zip code on the company website during checkout to get accurate shipping quotes for your area.
Does Weight and Quantity Change the Price?
Larger, heavier packages do cost a bit more to ship overnight or 2-day express. So if you order a lot of lobsters or multiple add-on seafood items, the shipping rate will be slightly higher than a tiny order.
But seafood shippers usually set reasonable flat rates for their standard shipping time frames and only pass along significant overage charges. Just avoid extreme scenarios like 50 pounds of lobster.
For live or perishable seafood, it’s actually most cost effective to order in bulk to reach free shipping minimums. You get more for less overall.
Does Time of Year Impact Cost?
During peak seasons like Christmas, Father’s Day, and summer holidays, shipping volumes surge across all carriers. Some companies may add small seasonal surcharges to account for the increased demand.
But you won’t see major cost differences for lobster shipments throughout the year. Shop for deals like free shipping or discounts around the holidays and take advantage!
Certain types of lobster are more abundant at different times, so you may see small price fluctuations based on local harvests. Live Maine lobsters cost a bit less in the summer and fall versus winter and spring when supplies are leaner. But shipping rates themselves remain steady year round.
How to Save on Lobster Shipping
Here are some tips and tricks to keep your lobster delivery costs down:
-
Choose 2-day shipping for frozen or canned lobster to save over overnight fees.
-
Buy in bulk quantities and pick free shipping threshold amounts when possible.
-
Look for discounts and promos around big events and holidays.
-
Consider splitting an order with friends or family in your area.
-
Weigh cost vs. convenience – is pickup cheaper than home delivery?
-
Shop around and compare shipping rates between companies.
Is it Worth the Splurge to Have Lobsters Shipped?
At the end of the day, only you can decide if having fresh lobster conveniently delivered is worth the shipping expense to your budget. It’s definitely a luxury.
But keep in mind you’re paying for more than just delivery fees. You’re getting access to high-quality seafood that likely isn’t available where you live. Plus, the convenience of cooked, cleaned, and packaged lobster meals ready for your table.
For special occasions like a beach house vacation, anniversary dinner, or event with guests, it can be worth it! Evaluate each situation based on your needs.
Lobster Delivery Brings the Taste of the Coast to You
While lobster shipping does come at a cost, it provides a valuable service to seafood fans everywhere. With overnight and 2-day shipping options, you can enjoy fresh lobster no matter where you call home.
Knowing what to expect for shipping rates allows you to pick the right lobster products and plan your budget. Follow these tips to keep delivery fees reasonable for special orders and occasions.
With the right company, you can confidently order lobsters, crab, salmon, and other seafood delivered straight to your door. Lobster shipping makes it possible to plan amazing meals that capture the flavor of the coast anywhere across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lobster Shipping
If you’re new to ordering lobsters online and having them shipped, chances are you have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common queries:
How long will shipped lobsters stay alive?
Live lobsters shipped overnight will survive 24-36 hours from delivery time when promptly refrigerated. Get them into a fridge or cooler as soon as possible once they arrive.
Can lobster be shipped in hot summer weather?
Yes, reputable shippers use insulated containers and gel packs to keep lobsters cool, even in summer. Overnight shipping ensures they don’t sit too long in warm conditions.
Is it safe to eat a shipped lobster raw?
No, shipped lobsters should always be cooked first. Raw shellfish comes with health risks. Cooking them kills any potentially harmful bacteria present. Steaming, boiling, and grilling are all safe cooking methods.
Will tails and meat have to be used quickly?
Fresh raw tails and meat should be eaten within 2 days. Freeze any you can’t use right away. Canned meat and cooked/frozen products have a longer shelf life.
What’s the best way to ship a gift of lobster?
Choose overnight delivery and ensure your recipient will be home to immediately refrigerate live lobsters. Include cooking instructions. Ship canned, frozen, or cooked lobster gifts for more flexibility.
Can you ship lobster in checked baggage on a flight?
Shipping companies use special containers and cold packs to keep live lobsters cool and safe in transit. Checking them as baggage without these measures poses risks and is not recommended. Overnight shipping is safer and more reliable.
The Comfort of Lobster Delivered to Your Table
There’s nothing better than the convenience of ultra-fresh seafood delivered right when you want it. With better knowledge of the typical costs associated with lobster shipping, you can take advantage of this modern luxury.
Indulge in a lobster feast on a special occasion or finally try authentic New England and Maine seafood flavors from the convenience of home. Just leave the transit logistics to the experts and enjoy!
Hand-Selected and Locally Sourced
It takes time to hand-select lobsters for sale, but we know it’s time well spent. Every lobster and seafood item we sell is checked for quality, so you can be sure it’s always good. Our goal is for you to be completely satisfied with your purchase.
Fisherman in Maine sell lobsters to us, so our customers know they’ll get fresh lobster delivered right to their door. We take pride in every lobster delivery order we send out and always conduct thorough quality inspections.
We offer the best live Maine lobster delivery service because when you buy lobster from us, we give you everything you need. With every live lobster purchase, you can add lobster bibs, placemats and Maine sea salt to your order.
After buying and inspecting lobsters from local fishermen, we send the lobsters directly to you. You’ll immediately be able to taste the difference between an average lobster and our Live Maine Lobster. We send only the best lobsters.
Lobster Tails Right for Any Event
Are you looking for lobster tails? We have different sizes of lobster tails so you can give your guests a variety of tasty lobster meat. We can customize your order to meet your specific needs, whether you need one serving or several dozen. Our lobster is clean, healthy and fresh — and, of course, delicious. If you’ve never cooked lobster before, you’ll be glad to know that we include full cooking instructions with every order.
Don’t wait to experience the flavor, order your next seafood meal today!
Our practices are humane, and we sell only the healthiest Wild Caught live Maine lobsters. Shipping Maine lobsters requires years of experience and knowledge of the industry. We are fully insured and provide the highest quality products. Our customers are valuable to us. We offer a simple way to buy Maine lobsters. Just select the number of Maine lobsters you want, and we do the rest. Buy lobster anytime, day or night. Only the Lobster Shack at Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, the Portland Lobster Company in Portland, Maine, and the Black Point Inn in Scarborough, Maine can get lobsters from us.
We buy lobsters from fishermen in Maine, so you can be sure that you’ll get fresh Maine lobster delivered right to your door. We take pride in every lobster delivery order we send out. Our live Maine lobster delivery service is the best out there. You can buy everything you need for a full lobster dinner along with a live Maine lobster. This includes lobster bibs, place mats, and Maine sea salt.