In case of damage

Shrimp arrived dead: what to do next

The six steps, the evidence, and what applies if there is no video.

Written by Valentin Fischer, aquarist and operator of Garnelenfischer
Published on 11.09.2026 · Last checked for content on 15.09.2026

The six steps, in that order

1. Keep the bags sealed. Do not open, do not refill, do not tip into the tank. As soon as the bag is opened, transport damage can no longer be clearly distinguished from an acclimatisation problem.
2. Film unpacking. In one piece, without cutting: the still sealed package, the shipping label, the opening, the Styrofoam box, the unopened bag and the condition of the animals inside. A cell phone video is enough. It doesn't have to be pretty, it has to be seamless.
3. If no video was possible: Time-stamped photos of the unopened package and bag so that the dead animals can be identified. Plus everything that shows the shipment's route: shipment tracking, delivery log, the packaging itself.
4. To count. How many animals are affected, from which line. An estimate is not enough if it is to be used later for billing purposes.
5. Report it to the seller as quickly as possible. The contact details are in the respective listing. Get in touch there with video or photos, order number and quantity. Ideally on the day of delivery.
6. Wait for a response from the seller before disposing of it. Until then: keep the bag cool and dark. If you notice something that doesn't seem right, you can also report it to Garnelenfischer; We follow up on every tip, but do not take the place of the seller.

Why speed is important and why it's not a deadline

Animals that have survived transport but are weakened will die in the hours afterwards, even if they are well cared for. The more time there is between delivery and the report, the harder it is to say whether the transport or the destination tank was the cause. Reporting quickly means better evidence for both sides.

The seller does not set a specific deadline after which something expires. In any case, the law requires that a defect be reported immediately after discovery, see Art. 201 OR below. Late reporting can make the assessment more difficult. It does not eliminate your legal rights as a whole.

It still makes sense to schedule the show on a day when someone is at home. A night in the branch is the most critical case for the animals.

What the video does and what applies if it is missing

Document	How it affects
Complete video from the sealed package to the animals	The most powerful piece of evidence. Answers all questions in thirty seconds that would otherwise take a week of emails.
Time-stamped photos of unopened package and bag	Permissible and common. The assessment takes longer, so it is not worse.
Tracking, delivery log, packaging	Additional evidence, especially when it comes to delivery time or transport route.
No receipt at all, bag already opened	Then transport damage can no longer be assessed. This is a statement about the evidence, not your legal rights.

Evidence is evidence, not a requirement. A missing video can make the assessment difficult. It does not exclude your reporting and it does not eliminate any legal rights.

What makes assessment more difficult

These points are not grounds for exclusion. They describe cases in which the cause can hardly be determined afterwards.

• The shipment could not be delivered and was left in the branch or in the parcel locker overnight because no one was there.
• There was a parking permit and the package was left in the sun or frost for several hours.
• The bag was already opened and there is no video or photo of the unopened condition.
• Animals die only after acclimatisation. This is generally not shipping damage, but a matter of water parameters in the destination tank. Garnelenfischer still provides free advice.

What the seller decides and what Garnelenfischer does in the process

The seller is the contractual partner for the purchase of animals and the body that receives a report and decides on it. There is no separate check or promise of replacement delivery or credit by Garnelenfischer. Garnelenfischer mediates and follows up on every tip, but does not take the place of the seller.

What remains is the legal route, and it is no less valuable: If a shipment arrives defective, the customer has warranty rights against the seller in accordance with Art. 197 ff. OR. These rights exist independently of Garnelenfischer and are not restricted by any of the operator's terms and conditions. What this looks like in detail can be found below and in the Terms and conditions, number 6.

When Garnelenfischer mediates

Every offer on the marketplace states who is selling. The respective seller is your contractual partner, even in the event of a complaint. We mediate and follow up on every lead, but we do not take their place.

And this is important: Garnelenfischer does not provide any goodwill or replacement services when purchasing shrimp. When we forward a tip or moderate a listing, that is no final assessment of the legal claim situation between buyer and seller.

Your legal rights

The fact that Garnelenfischer does not make its own commitment does not change your rights. They do not come from us, but from the law, and they exist regardless of what is written on this page.

You can also claim hidden defects that were not visible when unpacking later. A lack of evidence does not invalidate these rights as a whole. The seller does not impose any conditions, the non-fulfilment of which excludes a complaint.

Sources and last update

All sources checked on 11 September 2026, seller/operator role separation updated on 14 September 2026. This text is not legal advice. It describes a general orientation for purchasing animals from a marketplace seller and also lists the legal authorities on which the statements about your legal rights are based. In the event of a dispute, the text of the law counts, not this page.

Our own documents

• Terms and conditions, section 6 on transport damage and dead arrival and section 11 on complaints and evidence.
• Marketplace guidelines for orders from another seller on the marketplace.
• Shipping and packaging for shipping days, packaging and the legal aspects of shipping animals.

Legal basis

Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), SR 220, version Stand at 1 January 2026, accessed on 11 September 2026 fedlex.admin.ch. The change from 20 December 2024 (construction defects, AS 2025 270) has inserted a new paragraph 4 in article 201. It applies to items that are intended to be incorporated into an immovable work and therefore not to a shipment of shrimp.

• Art. 197 OR, subject of the warranty. The seller is liable for guaranteed properties and that the item does not have any defects that nullify or significantly reduce its value or suitability, even if he was not aware of the defects. This is the basis for the sentence that your rights come from the law and not from a promise from Garnelenfischer.
• Art. 201 OR, notice of defects. The buyer should inspect the item as soon as possible in the normal course of business and report any defect immediately. Defects that were not apparent during the usual inspection must be reported immediately upon discovery. That's why we recommend reporting quickly. It is the legal rule and not an additional period of Garnelenfischer.
• Art. 210 OR, statute of limitations. Warranty claims expire two years after delivery. According to paragraph 4, a reduction of this period to less than two years is invalid if the item is intended for personal or family use and the seller is acting commercially. This is based on the sentence that no general terms and conditions of the operator can restrict your rights towards the seller.

If you are unsure about which rights apply in your case, legal advice or the consumer protection organization in your region can help. We can't judge that and we don't act like it here.