High-value items need more than default carrier cover. UPS and FedEx limit liability to $100 per package unless you declare more, and USPS includes up to $100 of insurance. For a $900 ring or a $1,500 laptop, that leaves most of the value exposed. The fix is a combination: insure or declare the full value, require a signature, package discreetly, and offer shipping protection priced by order value.
For the basics, see our shipping insurance guide.
Why do high-value shipments need extra care?
- Default cover is low: about $100 at the major carriers.
- Theft risk is higher: valuable, resellable items attract thieves.
- One loss is expensive: a single lost parcel can erase the profit from many orders.
- Claims are scrutinized: insurers and carriers ask for proof of value and packaging.
What should you do for every high-value order?
- Insure or declare the full value. On US labels bought in Shopify, you can add insurance up to $5,000 per shipment at $0.89 per $100 domestic. With UPS or FedEx you can declare a higher value instead, noting both say declared value is not insurance.
- Require a signature. It deters porch theft and gives strong proof of delivery.
- Use discreet, tamper-evident packaging. Avoid branding that signals what is inside.
- Keep proof of value: invoices and product cost records for any claim.
- Photograph the packed item before sealing for damage claims.
Example
A jeweler ships a $1,200 bracelet. It buys a tracked label in Shopify with insurance for the full value, requires an adult signature, and packs the box in plain outer packaging with tamper-evident tape. The customer added a 2% protection fee at checkout. When the parcel arrives with a torn outer box but the bracelet intact, the photos taken at packing make the decision easy: no claim needed, and the customer is happy.
Check the insurer’s terms first
Insurers can restrict or exclude certain items or require extra conditions for high-value goods. Shopify notes that products must comply with Shipsurance’s terms of service for coverage bought through Shopify. Read the terms for your product category before relying on any policy.
Where does shipping protection fit?
Insurance reimburses you after a claim. Shipping protection gives the customer a fast fix under your rules. For high-value orders, price protection by value so the fee matches the risk:
- Percentage with a cap: for example 2% of the order, with a minimum and maximum.
- Price bands: a higher fixed fee for each cart-value range.
When an insured, protected order is lost, reship or refund the customer right away, then file the insurance claim to recover your cost. Our guide on how much to charge for shipping protection shows how to set the bands.
What about international high-value shipments?
Longer routes, more hand-offs and customs add risk. Insure the full value, use tracked services with signature where available, and state clearly who pays duties. See international shipping insurance for ecommerce.
To set up value-based protection on your store, see Sam Shipping Protection, and read the shipping protection guide for how the fee works.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to insure a $1,000 package?
It depends on the carrier and insurer. On US labels bought in Shopify, additional insurance costs $0.89 per $100 of coverage for domestic shipments, so roughly $8.90 for $1,000, before any included amount on your plan. Check current rates in your admin.
Should I require a signature for expensive orders?
Usually yes. A signature makes porch theft much harder and gives you strong proof of delivery if a customer later says the package never arrived.
Can shipping protection cover high-value orders?
Yes, if you price it by order value, for example a percentage with a minimum and maximum, or price bands. Combine it with insurance on the most expensive parcels so you can recover your cost.
Sources
Part of our guide: Shipping insurance →