Why Bullion Needs More Than Standard Carrier Coverage
Bullion concentrates a great deal of value in a small, heavy package, which makes it an attractive target and an expensive loss. Carriers usually limit their liability for precious metals well below market value, and they often add extra restrictions on top.
A declared value is not the same thing as insurance. It states what you say the shipment is worth, but the carrier's own limit can still decide what is paid. With full-value insurance, the declared value of the shipment is covered, up to $150,000 with Unival.
Metal prices move daily, so declare the current market value on the day you ship. Because bullion reaches high values quickly, contact us before you ship if your shipment is worth more than the coverage limit.
Insured Bullion Shipping Options by Type of Shipment
Different shipments carry different risks. This table shows what to focus on for each.
| Shipment | Main risk | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer-to-dealer wholesale | Large combined value, count disputes | Itemized invoice, weights and counts, serial numbers on bars |
| Dealer to customer orders | Disputes over what was sent | Photos of sealed packaging, count and weight, signature at delivery |
| Customer sell-back to a dealer | Value and ownership disputes | Itemized list, declared value matching it, photos |
| Vault and depository transfers | Gaps in the chain of custody | Recorded handovers, seal numbers, the vault's receiving rules |
| Graded and numismatic coins | Damage to holders, high value per coin | Original holders, padding, certificate numbers |
Record the weight and count before sealing, and compare both on delivery. Report any difference at once.
Shipping Bullion From Dallas
Dallas is a major center of the precious metals trade, with wholesale trading, refining and depository businesses in the city and the northern suburbs. Dealers in the area serve customers across the country, and a central location and one of the country's busiest airports make Dallas a natural starting point for shipments in any direction.
Typical bullion shipments from the Dallas area include:
- Online and retail orders shipped to customers in other states
- Wholesale transfers between dealers and refiners
- Sell-back shipments from customers to dealers
- Metal moving to and from depositories and vaults
Unival is headquartered in the Los Angeles Jewelry District and insures and tracks shipments to and from Dallas. Read more about our secure transportation or see our overview of insured shipping in Dallas. If you also ship finished pieces, see insured jewelry shipping in Dallas, and for metals moving west see insured precious metals shipping in Los Angeles.
Shipping to and From Vaults and Depositories
Metal moves to and from vaults and depositories for storage and sale. Treat each trip as its own insured shipment, with a recorded count, a seal number and a log of every handover, so the chain of custody is clear from your door to theirs.
Check the vault's receiving requirements before you ship, such as approved packaging, paperwork and delivery windows, so the shipment is accepted when it arrives.
Weight, Value and Cost of Insured Bullion Shipping
Bullion is heavy for its size, and silver is heavier still relative to its value. A small parcel can weigh many pounds, so weight affects handling and the shipping price, while the insurance follows the declared value.
The destination, delivery speed and handling requirements also change the total. We quote each shipment before it moves. Get a quote with the metal, its form, the weight, the declared value and the destination.
How to Pack and Document Bullion for Shipping
Good records prevent most claim disputes. Before you ship, check the following:
- Record the weight and count of every item before sealing.
- Keep serial numbers, assay certificates and mint packaging with the shipment record.
- Photograph the items and the sealed package.
- Declare the current market value, not the price you paid.
- Use sturdy, plain, sealed packaging with no mention of the contents on the outside.
- Include an itemized list, keep a copy, and check the weight and count on receipt.
