Why Jewelry Needs More Than Standard Carrier Coverage
A single ring can be worth tens of thousands of dollars and weigh a few grams. Carriers usually cap their liability for jewelry far below its real value, and many add extra restrictions for loose stones and precious metals.
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.
For a dealer selling to customers who are far away, that difference decides whether a lost parcel is replaced or absorbed as a loss.
Insured Shipping Options by Type of Jewelry Shipment
Different shipments carry different risks. The table shows what typically matters most for each.
| Shipment | Main risk | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Sale to an out-of-town customer | Disputes over what was sent | Photos of each piece, invoice, signature at delivery |
| Wholesale or trade order | Many pieces, high combined value | Itemized invoice, declared value matching it |
| Repairs and custom work | Customer property in your hands | Written receipt of condition and agreed value |
| International sale | Customs delays, value disputes | Commercial invoice with the correct value, customs paperwork |
| Memo and consignment pieces | Value disputes between parties | Itemized memo, declared value matching the paperwork |
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.
Shipping Jewelry From the Seybold Building and Downtown Miami
Downtown Miami's jewelry district runs along NE 1st Street and East Flagler Street. Its centerpiece is the Seybold Building, a historic landmark where several hundred independent jewelers, watchmakers and craftspeople work across ten floors, next to the International Jewelry Center. Nearby, the DuPont Building on East Flagler Street is home to bench jewelers who make and repair jewelry.
Typical shipments from the district include:
- Finished pieces sold to customers in other cities and countries
- Wholesale and trade orders sent to retailers
- Repairs and custom pieces moving to and from bench jewelers
- Memo pieces and returns after jewelry shows
Unival is headquartered in the Los Angeles Jewelry District and insures and tracks shipments to and from Miami. Read more about our secure transportation or see our overview of insured shipping in Miami. If you ship to or from a Los Angeles buyer, see insured jewelry shipping in Los Angeles.
Selling Jewelry to Buyers Outside Miami
Many Miami jewelers sell to buyers who do not live in the city, including customers abroad. Ship each sale as its own insured shipment, with a commercial invoice that shows the correct value and a clear description of the pieces.
Customs paperwork must match the declared value, and import rules and duties on jewelry vary by country, so check the requirements before you ship. Antique jewelry and watch shows at the Miami Beach Convention Center also bring inventory in and out of the city, and the same rule applies: insure the outbound and return parcels separately.
What Affects the Cost of Insured Jewelry Shipping?
The price has two parts: the shipping and the insurance on the declared value. Insurance follows the declared value, so a single high-value stone costs more to cover than a box of lower-value pieces. The shipping price depends on the destination, delivery speed and handling requirements.
We quote each shipment before it moves. Get a quote with the item type, declared value, pickup location and destination.
How to Pack and Document Jewelry for Shipping
Careful packing and good records prevent most claim disputes. Before you ship, check the following:
- Keep the invoice, appraisal or grading report for every item.
- Photograph each piece, including any inscriptions, serial numbers or certificate numbers.
- Place loose stones in sealed packets and pad them inside a rigid inner box.
- Pack finished pieces so they cannot move or scratch each other.
- Use a plain outer box with no jewelry branding or description of the contents.
- Include an itemized packing list and keep a copy for your records.
