Why Standard Carrier Coverage Is Not Enough for Valuables
Standard carrier liability is designed for ordinary parcels. For high-value items it often falls short: carriers commonly apply special limits or exclusions to jewelry, watches, artwork and precious metals, and their basic liability is usually a small fraction of what such a shipment is worth.
Declared value is also not the same as insurance. Declaring a value tells the carrier what you say the shipment is worth, but it does not guarantee that the full amount is paid if something goes wrong. Full-value insurance is a separate layer of protection that covers the declared value of the shipment, up to $150,000 with Unival.
That gap is why Miami dealers, galleries and exporters ship valuables with a provider that treats insurance and secure handling as one service.
Insured Shipping for Miami's High-Value Trades
Downtown Miami's jewelry district, along NE 1st Street and East Flagler Street, is centered on the Seybold Building, where several hundred independent jewelers, watchmakers and craftspeople work across ten floors. Luxury retail in the Design District and Bal Harbour adds boutiques and flagship stores, while Miami's galleries and collectors add a busy art trade.
The table shows what typically matters most for each type of shipment leaving Miami.
| Shipment | Typical Miami sender | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Jewelry and diamonds | Dealers, jewelers, retailers | Accurate declared value, signature at delivery |
| Luxury watches | Dealers, collectors | Serial number records, signed delivery |
| Fine art and collectibles | Galleries, collectors, dealers | Condition records, careful packing |
| International shipments | Exporters, dealers, galleries | Accurate customs paperwork, declared value matching it |
Every shipment is insured for its declared value, up to $150,000. Learn how full-value insurance works before you ship.
Shipping From Miami to Latin America, the Caribbean and Beyond
Miami is one of the busiest gateways in the country for international cargo, and many Miami businesses trade with partners abroad. From Miami we ship valuables across the United States and internationally, using major carrier networks combined with Unival's own coverage and secure handling.
International shipments need accurate customs paperwork, including a commercial invoice with the correct value and description. Import rules, duties and restrictions vary by country, so check the requirements before you ship.
Art Week and Trade Show Shipments in Miami
Art Basel Miami Beach takes place each December, and Miami Art Week brings works, collectors and dealers in and out of the city. Jewelry and watch shows at the Miami Beach Convention Center add seasonal shipments of their own.
Ship the outbound parcel and the return parcel as separate insured shipments, each with its own itemized list and declared value, so nothing is left uncovered on the way back.
What Affects the Cost of Insured Shipping From Miami?
The price has two parts: the shipping itself and the insurance on the declared value. These factors change the total:
- Declared value: the higher the value, the more coverage is needed.
- Destination and speed: local, domestic and international deliveries are priced differently.
- Handling requirements: signature rules, packaging and pickup arrangements are part of the service.
Because every shipment is different, we quote it before it moves. Get a quote with your item type, value and destination.
How to Prepare a High-Value Shipment
Good preparation prevents most disputes. Before you ship, check the following:
- Keep the invoice, appraisal or other proof of value for the item.
- Photograph the item and record serial numbers, certificates or grading reports where they exist.
- Declare the full, accurate value. Under-declaring can reduce what is paid out in a claim.
- Use plain, sealed packaging with no mention of the contents on the outside.
- Make sure the recipient is available to sign for the delivery.
