Most of the better places have free shipping somewhere at $200-250. Then there's places like Unique Corals where its $19 and free at $200. A lot of times places like that have shipping costs wrapped in the cost of the coral or fish though. Bigger higher volume shipping places can offer better rates because they get deeper discounts from UPS/Fedex. Generally speaking I will not do business with any of the places charging more than $40 or a box charge (typically $15) to ship especially when its a small box of frags. Don't settle for anything other than Fedex or UPS priority overnight or stuff will likely die. Even things like USPS Express are not a good idea (unreliable). I saw some stuff here someone offered with free shipping and then in the post it was priority mail and extra for overnight
And yes cold or hot packs are usually required but don't let anyone fool you on what they cost. I know when I was shipping stuff from an old business I was paying maybe .25 each for them. Now if you walk into a Fedex/UPS store to ship a single package its going to cost you something like $50-65+ to ship a single small box of frags without any business discounts. That's why you will see those kind of prices from small places and individuals.
Shipping aside guarantee is a big consideration. Many places will take no responsibility in getting the stuff to you. With a lot of places if shipper loses or delays the package and everything is damaged or dead your screwed. Better places have arrive alive guarantees ranging from a 1-14 days. The places to avoid have policies like must be reported dead, still in the bag, within 1 hour of delivery. IME it at minimum requires having the item out of the bag and in tank to determine what condition they got it to you in and often at least a day or two.
