Shipping Value Protection

Shipment value protection is an optional service that can provide cover for 100% of the value of a shipment that is lost, stolen, or damaged in transit. For businesses, especially those shipping internationally or sending high-value goods, it can provide additional protection and reassurance.

Shipping value protection can help reduce the financial and reputational risks if something goes wrong during transit. It provides a safety net so that you can replace the goods or refund the customer without absorbing the cost yourself.

Shipping value protection may be worth considering if:


• The goods are high value
• The shipment would be costly to replace
• You ship internationally
• A lost or damaged parcel would affect customer experience or revenue


This is particularly relevant for small businesses with tight margins or for shipments where fast replacement matters.

Shipping value protection can cover a range of shipment problems, depending on the terms offered. Common examples include:


• Lost or misplaced goods
• Theft of goods
• Damage to goods in transit


It can apply to a wide range of shipments, from e-commerce goods to important documents such as legal certificates.

It can. Cover extends to 100% of the shipment value, which can help a business resend goods quickly if something goes wrong.

Yes. For businesses, shipping value protection can help protect both revenue and customer satisfaction. If a parcel is lost or damaged, insurance makes it easier to replace or refund the order rapidly, helping to preserve trust and reduce disruption for the customer.

Shipping value protection generally does not cover:

• Damage caused by the parcel or its contents, such as leakage
• Loss in weight or volume
• Normal wear and tear
• Loss, damage, or expense caused by insufficient or unsuitable packing or preparation
• Loss, damage, or expense caused by wilful misconduct of the customer or their agents

Usually not. If the loss or damage was caused by insufficient or unsuitable packing or preparation of the shipment, it is generally not covered. Proper packaging still matters even when insurance is in place.

No. Coverage depends on the event and the applicable terms. Insurance is there to protect against transit risks, not every possible problem connected to the shipment.

That depends on the shipment and the level of risk you are prepared to accept.

You may want to consider shipping value protection if:


• Your shipment is high value
• Your shipment contains electronics, furniture, or other expensive items
• Replacing the item would cause you financial pain
• The shipment is important to your business or customer relationship


Very few shipments are lost or damaged in transit, but if it does happen, insurance provides financial cover and peace of mind.

This depends on the value of your shipment and how much risk you are willing to accept compared to the relatively low cost of shipping value protection.


If your business ships expensive goods, the loss of revenue from one damaged or missing shipment could be significant. In that case, protection may be worth the marginal extra cost. For lower-value shipments, you may decide the risk is small enough not to insure every parcel.

The three main benefits of choosing shipping value protection are:


• No loss of revenue
If goods are lost or damaged, insurance can cover the value so you can replace them more easily.
• Peace of mind
It reduces the financial and operational worry that comes with shipping valuable goods.
• A simpler claims path
If something goes wrong, insurance can help support a quicker reimbursement process.

Every shipping company endeavors to minimize risks and keep shipments safe. But sometimes accidents happen. Without insurance, you may be exposed to the risk of:


• Shipments being lost in transit
• Goods being damaged in transit
• Items being stolen


These risks are very low, but they are never zero. Insurance is a way to reduce the financial impact if one of those situations occurs.

Shipping value protection with DHL Express varies depending on factors such as the shipment value, destination, and type of goods being shipped.

Shipping value protection is available as an optional service for eligible shipments. Learn more about available optional services and coverage options.

If a shipment is lost or delivered damaged, the first step is to contact customer service so an investigation can begin. Your claim must be submitted within 30 days of the date the shipment was accepted by DHL Express. We will gather information from the relevant service points in the network and provide an update on the findings, typically around 3 days later.

DHL Express will investigate the case and gather relevant information, including details and images where needed. The purpose is to understand what happened to the shipment and assess the claim.


When your claim is agreed, you will receive a claims template to complete and return to the customer service agent dealing with your case for processing. The case will be forwarded to DHL Express' claims department who will contact you for final resolution.