Packing and mailing your gold and jewelry items safely
U.S. Postal Service - Registered Mail
1. We recommend using Registered Mail whenever possible.
2. Use gummed, reinforced paper mailing tape and tape all edges of the package when sealing. The post office will mark the package several times with a registered mail ink stamp, making sure imprinted words overlap the tape and package. This makes it harder for someone to open the package and reseal it with other tape.
3. Postal regulations indicate that you must declare the full value for all packages you ship. Because post offices interpret the regulations differently, check with your local post office to find out how it handles Registered Mail.
U.S. Postal Service - Express Mail
(Recommended for next-day shipping)
1. Express Mail guarantees next-day and second-day delivery nationwide. You can purchase additional coverage up to $5,000.
2. Declare only the amount that will be covered by the post office.
3. Use mailing containers and preprinted labels provided by the post office.
4. Use gummed, reinforced paper mailing tape and tape all edges of the package when sealing. The post office will mark the package several times with a registered mail ink stamp, making sure imprinted words overlap the tape and package. This makes it harder for someone to open the package and reseal it with other tape.
5. Make sure the addressee will be available to receive the package.
United Parcel Service (UPS)
1. UPS will not accept or ship any package valued over $50,000.
2. UPS will not insure loose cut or uncut gemstones. Loose stones are not insurable if in a spring mounting. The stone must be in a finished setting to be insurable.
3. Purchase up to $50,000 of coverage through UPS, especially when sending packages to ZIP codes 10036, 90013, 90014 and 90015. You MUST declare the full value when you insure the package with UPS.
Federal Express
1. Do not use the Federal Express Letter envelopes or Federal Express Paks.
2. Always verify that the Federal Express employee has affixed the “ASTA Label” to the package to be certain it has been entered into their system.
Packing Jewelry and Gold items safely
Pack jewelry in a medium-sized cardboard box. Seal with tape. Label the box with the return address and tracking number in case the outer shipping box is damaged.
Pack the inner box in a large packaging box from the delivery service
or a sturdy, unmarked shipping box (no smaller than an adult-sized
shoe box).
Pack the shipping box with packing material to protect the inner box during shipping.
Seal the shipping box with gummed, reinforced paper mailing tape or pressure-sensitive shipping tape. Write the tracking number on the box.
Enclose a note inside the package that includes your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address, so we can return your jewelry to the proper address and contact you if needed.
Let us know via phone or email that you're sending your package, so we'll be sure to expect it.
Disguise mailing information so jewelry words are never mentioned.
Require a signature to be obtained upon delivery, using Registered Mail whenever possible.
Don’t use a small box as a shipping box.
Never ship jewelry in any type of envelope or folder.
Don’t use string, rope, masking tape or cellophane tape to seal the package.
Don’t indicate anywhere on the box or label that the package contains jewelry or that it is being shipped to or from a jewelry-related business.
Don’t use a drop box.