I needed to send my wedding band to my wife in another state. I put it in a FedEx box, declared the value as $5,000, and paid for the extra insurance. The box arrived empty (torn open). FedEx denied the claim, citing their tariff: “Maximum liability for jewelry is $1,000.”
Key Takeaways
- Carrier Limits are Absolute: FedEx and UPS have strict internal limits on jewelry—often $500 or $1,000—regardless of the declared value you pay for. Paying for “$5,000 coverage” on jewelry is often wasted money, because the fine print overrides it.
- Third-Party Shipping Insurance: You must use a service like Parcel Pro or Jewelers Mutual Shipping that specializes in high-value logistics.
- USPS Registered Mail: This is the safest public method. “Registered Mail” (not just Certified) is kept under lock and key and signed for at every handoff. It can be insured up to $50,000.
- “Care, Custody, Control”: Your personal jewelry insurance might cover shipping, but often excludes it unless the recipient signs for it. Check your “In Transit” clause.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Declared Value vs. Insurance.”
FedEx “Declared Value” is not insurance. It is the limit of their liability if you prove negligence.
AND, their Terms of Service cap jewelry liability.
If you declare $5,000 for a ring, they will happily take your money for the fee, but when you claim, they point to the “Jewelry Limit” clause and send you $1,000.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Shipping)
I checked how to ship a $10k ring safely.
USPS Registered Mail
- The Verdict: The slow, secure tank.
- Pros: Insurable up to $50k. Paper tape seals. Locked cages.
- Cons: Slow (can take a week).
Parcel Pro (UPS Capital)
- The Verdict: The Pro choice.
- Pros: Insured up to $100k+. Overnight shipping.
- Cons: Need an account (usually business, but some personal options).
Your JM Policy
- The Trick: If you have Jewelers Mutual, check if shipping to a “repair facility” or “spouse” is covered. Often it is, if you use a method that requires a signature.
[IMAGE: Photo of a brown paper tape sealed box stamped “REGISTERED” (USPS)]
Comparison Table
| Method | Cost | Max Payout | Security Level |
| FedEx Standard | High | $1,000 (Cap) | Low |
| USPS Registered | Medium | $50,000 | Highest |
| Parcel Pro | Medium | Full Value | High |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Double Box: Put the ring box inside a small box. Put that box inside a medium FedEx/USPS box.
- Disguise the Label: Do not write “Jewelry” on the label. Address it to “J. Smith” or “Repair Dept.”
- Use Registered Mail: Go to the Post Office. Bring paper tape (gummed). Ask for Registered Mail. Declare full value.
- Signature Required: Never ship without “Adult Signature Required.” If they leave it on the porch, insurance is void.
FAQ
Does FedEx cover lost antiques?
No. Same limits apply.
What if the recipient claims the box was empty?
Video record yourself packing and sealing the box at the counter. It helps prove “Theft in Transit.”
Is Priority Mail safe?
Not as safe as Registered. Priority uses the normal flow. Registered is a separate secure chain.