Why Electronics Need More Than Standard Carrier Coverage
Electronics are expensive, fragile and often needed on a deadline. A carrier's basic liability is usually a small fraction of what a batch of laptops or a rack of servers is worth, and a late or damaged delivery can stall a whole team.
Declared value on a carrier label is a limit of liability, not insurance. With full-value insurance, the declared value of the shipment is covered, up to $150,000 with Unival. Read more on our technology and electronics industry page, or see our overview of insured high-value shipping.
Documentation matters as much as coverage. Serial numbers, photographs, tracking scans and a stored proof of delivery show exactly what was sent, when it moved and who received it.
What to Prepare for Each Type of Electronics Shipment
Different equipment carries different risks. This table shows what to focus on for each.
| Shipment | Main risk | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Laptops and devices | Theft, damage, count differences | Serial number list, anti-static bags, full declared value |
| Servers and networking gear | Weight, impact damage | Size and weight for the quote, firm padding, no loose parts |
| Test equipment and instruments | Calibration and shock damage | Original or custom packing, photos, condition note |
| Prototypes and pre-production units | Hard to replace, confidential | Photos, revision and serial records, plain packaging |
| Displays and components | Surface damage, static | Anti-static packing, rigid support, itemized list |
Whatever you ship, the declared value should match your paperwork. A value that is too low can reduce what is paid out if you need to make a claim.
Service Options, Batteries and Oversized Equipment
The service is chosen at booking, for each shipment. Overnight service is the usual choice when equipment is needed the next day, and two-day service suits shipments that can wait a little longer.
Lithium batteries can be shipped inside the device and labelled correctly. Loose batteries follow separate rules, so contact us before you ship if your shipment includes them. Server racks and other large equipment can also be shipped: request a quote with the item's size and weight, and see high-value parcel shipping for smaller items.
Electronics Shipping by Region
Technology and equipment ship from every major business center. These pages have local detail:
See also our overview of insured shipping in San Francisco. Las Vegas hosts large technology shows each year, including CES every January, and our page on insured shipping in Las Vegas covers show shipments.
Secure Transport for High-Value Equipment
Some equipment is too valuable or too sensitive to ship on insurance alone. Secure transport, controlled handoffs and tracking keep costly equipment under oversight from pickup to delivery, and security personnel can be arranged for shipments that call for them.
Read more about our secure transport services and secure transportation.
Shipping Electronics Internationally
International shipments need accurate customs paperwork, including a commercial invoice with the correct value and a clear description of each item. Import duties and rules vary by country.
Some electronics, components and software are subject to US export controls and licensing requirements, and some destinations are restricted under US export and sanctions rules. Check the requirements with your compliance adviser before you ship, and tell us the destination when you request a quote.
What Affects the Cost of Insured Electronics Shipping?
The price has two parts: the shipping and the insurance on the declared value. The size and weight of the equipment, the service you choose, the destination and the declared value all change the total. Read our guide to dimensional weight in shipping and see shipping insurance cost for how each factor works.
We quote each shipment before it moves. Get a quote with the equipment, its size and weight, its declared value, the pickup location and the destination.
How to Pack and Document Electronics for Shipping
Good packing and good records prevent most claim disputes. Before you ship, check the following:
- Record the serial number and model of every unit.
- Photograph the equipment and its condition before packing.
- Use anti-static bags where they apply, and fill every gap so nothing can move.
- Encrypt or wipe storage devices, and keep confidential project names off labels and packing lists.
- Use a plain outer box with no mention of the contents.
- Declare the full, accurate value at booking.
