I have never tried sending non-annual eggs to foreign countries because as Sia Meng said, it can be tricky. Eggs of non-annuals have much shorter incubation periods so the timing has to be perfect.
Annual eggs have longer incubation periods so chances of them surviving the journey are very much higher. I have sent their eggs to friends living as far as the US of A and quite a few friends managed to hatch them successfully. I usually bag the peat with a plastic bag and seal the opening with a lighter. Before inserting the bag into a padded envelope, I will wrap it with aluminium foil. I believe the foil helps to keep the temperature inside the bag constant.
This is a picture of the padded envelope which I usually use. It's available at all post offices for 50 cents each.
I will also fill in the green customs form (on the left of the picture) because the postal authorities in other countries are usually stricter than those in Singapore. If the customs form is not filled, chances are the envelope will be opened and the contents destroyed. Under "description", I will write "Eggs in peat, for scientific study". Under "value", I will put in "no commercial value". I tick the box that says "gift"
Besides receiving eggs incubated in peat, I have also received eggs that were incubated in water. Sometimes, they come in film cannisters but someone also sent me annual eggs in test tubes. The test tubes are small but have an advantage over film cannisters in that they are transparent. So even without opening the lids, you can tell if there are eggs just by holding the test tubes up to the light.
Here's a picture of the test tubes:
I'm quite sure such test tubes are available in Singapore. Probably the pharmacies or shops that sell laboratory equipment will have them.
Loh K L
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