Understandably, mailing valuable items such as watches and jewelry can set you on edge. To this end, you will want to ensure that you pack your items in such a way that the packaging is unlikely to tear and in the event that it does, that your items are still protected by a second, third and even fourth layer. In this article, you can find some top tips for properly shipping watches and jewelry.

Always Go for Tracked Mail

Regardless of whether you are shipping your items domestically or internationally, always opt for tracked or registered mail. This means that every person who handles your parcel and/or every checkpoint your parcel goes through will have to be accounted for. With a tracking number, the postal service will take on greater accountability for your parcel and you will be able to know where it is at any given time.

Layer Up

A padded mailer is simply not enough when it comes to shipping your watches and jewelry! Having multiple layers will ensure that in the event the outer packaging tears, your items are still protected. Firstly, wrap your item in a layer of bubble wrap before putting it into a box or padded mailer. Next, place this into a larger box or envelope. You may wish to add a few extra layers of bubble wrap before the second step.

Do Not Reveal What’s in Your Parcel

There’s no need to declare what’s exactly in your parcel, although you will be asked to declare the contents upon mailing. You can simply declare it as a “gift”. If you declare your valuable item as it is, the temptation may be too much for a dishonest person and you could increase the chances of your parcel getting stolen.

Keep it (Mostly) Silent

One goal of packaging your items properly is to ensure that they do not make too loud a noise when the parcel is shaken or moved. This can alert would-be thieves to its contents, and you don’t want that. To this end, always make sure your items are properly secured inside their packaging with little room for movement.

Deliver Your Parcel Personally

Instead of making use of a drop box service, where you rely on a postage worker to pick up your parcel, you may wish to make a trip to the post office yourself. This way, you can see for yourself that your parcel is in the right hands. Depending on your individual circumstances, your jeweler may even be able to post your parcel for you.

Get Insurance before Shipping Watches and Jewelry

Of course, this is largely up to you. However, if the item you are shipping is particularly expensive or valuable, getting jewelry insurance may be a small price to pay. Whether you are mailing a gift or selling your item to a jeweler, you can rest assured that insurance will cover any unfortunate events such as loss, damage or theft.