How do I ship expensive jewelry overseas?
- USPS Priority Mail: A cost-effective international shipping option for small items.
- DHL Express: Provides a range of services and package tracking.
- FedEx: Provides a range of international shipping options and package tracking.
Use Express Mail and the USPS, including First Class Registered Mail, whenever possible. There are specialized services that offer insured overnight shipping of high value packages with no deductible. For shipping high-value or irreplaceable goods, use an armored car courier service.
The safest way to ship jewellery is using its original box, if possible. Alternatively, take an appropriately-sized box and fill it with cushioning materials. Place the jewellery inside and cover the box with bubble wrap. Fill a larger cardboard box with cushioning material and place the smaller box inside it.
Registered Mail is the safest way to send and insure your valuable item. Request Registered Mail at your local post office to receive a proof of mailing and the date and time of each attempted delivery. Registered Mail also allows you to insure your item to up to $50,000.
FedEx® Declared Value Advantage eligible shippers can declare a value of up to USD$100,000 per domestic shipment and up to USD$25,000 to select international destinations on specialty items such as jewelry, gemstones, and precious metals. DropoffLocations Choose the best service and dropoff location for your needs.
FedEx Maximum Declared Values
First Overnight, FedEx 1Day, 2Day, or 3Day Freight: the maximum declared value per shipment is $50,000. The maximum declared value for any FedEx Envelope or FedEx Pak is $500. Goods with a value (actual or declared) exceeding $500 should not be shipped in a FedEx Envelope or Pak.
Non-valuable jewelry will be covered by insurance when packed properly, but for valuable jewelry on the prohibited items list, the cover won't apply – so you ship at your own risk. You should pack jewelry in its original box, if possible.
UPS provides International Dangerous Goods service for shipments between the U.S. and selected European countries or territories by contract only. Shipments of jewelry can be shipped as long as the value does not exceed US$500.00 or the local currency equivalent per package.
Commodities Handled and Restrictions on Service
No service shall be rendered in the transportation of articles of unusual value. Articles having a value or declared value of more than $50,000 (U.S.) - $500 (U.S.) for packages containing jewelry - will not be accepted for transportation.
Use the United States Postal Service for small amounts.
The United States Postal Service will also ship your gold overseas. This option is best for small amounts of gold that would cost too much to send via a professional transport service. The service is not as comprehensive, but it is affordable.
Does jewelry go through customs?
To put it simply, yes, you should declare watches and jewelry when passing through customs. If you purchased it abroad and you're travelling back to your home country, it's always safer to declare it, according to CBP. Most customs authorities around the world have a similar recommendation.
- Use rigid boxes. Lightweight boxes may keep the weight of your shipment down, but they put fragile goods at serious risk of damage. ...
- Fill empty spaces. Keep your shipment as robust as possible by filling any excess voids. ...
- Let a pallet take the heavy load.
The maximum value UPS will cover on high-value shipments can vary depending on how UPS comes into possession of the package. UPS has a $50k maximum when a UPS driver picks up your package at a scheduled pickup location or you drop it off at a UPS customer center.
Recorded delivery is a popular option for high-value goods and we offer a range of low-cost recorded delivery services through reputable courier companies like Parcelforce and DHL. Get a quote using our courier quote tool and look out for the delivery services which say they are tracked and signed for.
- Aerosols.
- Air Bags.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Ammunition.
- Cigarettes.
- Dry Ice.
- Explosives.
- Gasoline.
When sending gold, silver, platinum, bullion, diamonds, pearls, rubies, sapphires, emeralds or any other precious metal or stones internationally you should sign a relevant agreement with the courier company and have a special service dedicated to this type of item.
In case of damage, loss, or misdelivery, FedEx will investigate the claim and provide compensation based on the declared value of the package.
Customs Value vs. Declared Value. The declared value is what you declare your shipment to be worth, while customs value is what a customs officer determines your shipment is worth (often based on your declared value). These two values should be the same.
You state the value of your goods on the commercial invoice – this is the amount paid for the items being imported (the actual selling price). Say you're shipping two watches each valued at $160, then the value would be $320.
The safest way to ship jewelry is by taking the time to package it securely and using a shipping method that offers Chain of Custody tracking and insurance.
What should I ship jewelry in?
Use packaging like cotton and jewelry boxes to avoid any of your jewelry getting lost or damaged. Wrap jewelry boxes in bubble wrap to keep them securely closed. Add additional insurance where available. Require signature confirmation for higher-item jewelry.
Using multiple layers helps prevent jewelry from getting lost or damaged if the outer package is damaged. First, wrap your jewelry in bubble wrap and put it inside a small box or padded envelope. Finish it off by placing that package inside a slightly larger box or padded envelope.
Wrap your jewelry in bubble wrap or packing paper and place it inside a small box or bag. Prevent necklaces or delicate chain bracelets from tangling by first threading them through a paper straw. Then, place the jewelry piece inside another bubble wrap lined box or padded bag.
LOOSE GEMSTONES : 0% Duty, 0% Sales Tax JEWELRY : 5.5% Duty, 0% Sales Tax If you are having your loose gemstone shipped to the USA you can expect to incur NO TAXES at all on importation. If you are having made up jewelry shipped to the US you can expect to incur a 5.5% Customs Duty as it enters the US.
Can you ship gold bullion with UPS or other private courier services? UPS expressly prohibits standard shipments from containing physical precious metal gold bullion products.
Some domestic packages are eligible for a higher maximum declared value of $70,000. If you declare a value of $100.01 to $300.00, UPS will charge you $3.90. If the declared value exceeds $300, you will pay $1.30 for every additional $100 in value, including the first $100.
UPS is the Best Carrier for Shipping Expensive Jewelry. Bar none, the premier carrier for shipping expensive jewelry is UPS. When sending expensive items, UPS is the only carrier you should choose for one reason: the maximum declared value per package.
You can typically get jewelry insurance for any valuable piece that can be appraised — engagement rings, wedding rings, diamond rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more. There may be a limit on the total amount you can insure, so ask about policy limits before purchasing insurance for multiple high-value items.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) provides options for insuring mail, which provides protection against loss or damage to jewelry valued at up to $5,000 while it is being shipped. As long as your jewelry is shipped under receipt, it will be covered by a jewelry policy that is bought separately.
There is no duty rate on gold coins, medals, or bullion, but these items must be declared to a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Officer. If your import is over $10,000 in value, you must file a FinCEN 105 form at the time of entry.
How much gold can I fly with internationally?
However, it is important to note that you must still declare the items to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers. If you are travelling with more than $10,000 worth of gold coins (or silver coins), you will need to fill in a FinCEN 105 declaration form.
Shipping gold internationally through a private carrier is possible. However, you may need to work with an extra third-party company to insure the packages within the carrier's network.
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Gold is usually fine to take on a plane, even when traveling internationally.
The primary penalty a person will face when failing to disclose any item through the United States Customs and Border Protection is the seizure and loss of the property. This generally starts when clearing customs when arriving in the country if no declaration is made.
You must declare all items you purchased and are carrying with you upon return to the United States, including gifts for other people as well as items you bought for yourself. This includes duty-free items purchased in foreign countries, as well as any merchandise you intend to sell or use in your business.
Each country has different rules, and each airline does also! It can be confusing, but in the USA, the amount of gold coin or bullion that is allowed is $10K without having to declare it. Jewelry is considered personal but may still need to be declared nevertheless if the value appears to be over $10K.
Choose the right sending option
Make sure you send anything valuable, like jewellery, cash or vouchers, by Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed®. You'll get end-to-end tracking, a signature on delivery, and guaranteed next-day delivery.
Shipping by air is very safe but expensive, so it's best for fragile and valuable items. Shipping by sea is not as safe as air, but it is the cheaper option, so it's best for sturdy items.
Flat Export is the cheapest way to mail a package internationally for most destinations. UPS®, DHL, and USPS, plus other major couriers all offer international shipping. With Easyship you can save up to 91% off discounted shipping rates on 250+ couriers, including international shipping.
If you are sending a package valued at $100 or less, then declared value should be adequate in the event of a package being lost or damaged.
What's the largest item UPS will ship?
Packages can be up to 150 pounds. Packages can be up to 165 inches in length and girth combined. Packages can be up to 108 inches in length. Packages with a large size-to-weight ratio require special pricing and dimensional weight calculations.
- Shipments prohibited by law.
- Bank bills, notes or currency.
- Common fireworks.
- Hazardous waste or hazardous waste service.
- Human remains, fetal remains, human body parts, human embryos or components thereof.
- Ivory.
Shipping via a third party or dropping at a dropbox lowers the maximum value you can insure a package for. If you ship parcels with values under $1,000, either UPS or FedEx is an excellent high-value carrier. But if your orders sometimes top $1,000, UPS is the best carrier for high-value items.
A high-value item is a product sold online, such as mobile phones, electronics, expensive jewelry, and many other things. These high-value items have a higher price range as compared to the average price of daily lifestyle items.
However, speed comes at a price. Overnight shipping is often the most expensive shipping option due to the rapid turnaround and the resources required to ensure next-day delivery. It is also affected by factors like package weight, size, and travel distance, much like other shipping options.
The U.S Postal Service and UPS are the only two options for shipping jewelry internationally without having to pay extra fees or taxes. Jewelry is a category of item that cannot be sent using any type of international shipment service or method as it contains valuable materials such as gemstones and diamonds.
Shipping jewelry with USPS
Shipments under 16 ounces cost between $3-$5, while shipments above 16 ounces typically cost less than $10. The national postal service offers two primary options for shipping jewelry including USPS First-Class and USPS Priority Mail.
LOOSE GEMSTONES : 0% Duty, 0% Sales Tax JEWELRY : 5.5% Duty, 0% Sales Tax If you are having your loose gemstone shipped to the USA you can expect to incur NO TAXES at all on importation. If you are having made up jewelry shipped to the US you can expect to incur a 5.5% Customs Duty as it enters the US.
If you are leaving your home country to travel abroad and you bring watches or jewelry you already own, you don't have to declare them. But CBP does recommend registering these high-value items before you go, so there's no confusion as to where you got them when you make your return trip.
Generally, the most secure and reliable options for shipping gold include the following: Armored transport services: Companies like Brinks and Loomis offer specialized armored transportation for high-value items, including gold and other precious metals.
How do I ship gold bars internationally?
Use the United States Postal Service for small amounts.
The United States Postal Service will also ship your gold overseas. This option is best for small amounts of gold that would cost too much to send via a professional transport service. The service is not as comprehensive, but it is affordable.
