How to Pack Jewellery for Shipping

Jewellery packaging has two jobs most other products don't: protecting the item physically, and protecting it from theft or tampering in transit. Both matter for a successful, insurable shipment.

Packing steps

1. Individually wrap each piece. Use soft anti-tarnish pouches or acid-free tissue for each item separately — this prevents pieces from scratching or tangling with each other in transit.

2. Use a rigid inner container. A small, rigid box (not just a padded envelope) for each piece or set, so the contents can't shift or be crushed.

3. Cushion generously. Fill all empty space in the inner box with soft padding (foam, bubble wrap, or acid-free packing paper) so nothing moves during handling.

4. Use discreet outer packaging. The outer shipping box should give no external indication of jewellery inside — avoid branded jewellery boxes or bags as the visible outer packaging, and avoid writing "jewellery" prominently on the outside of the parcel.

5. Seal with tamper-evident tape. Tamper-evident security tape makes it visually obvious if the parcel has been opened in transit, which matters both for your own peace of mind and for any insurance claim process.

6. Keep documentation with, but separate from, the item. Commercial invoice and packing list should be securely attached to the outside (in a shipping document pouch) rather than loose inside with the jewellery itself.

What to avoid

• Loose items rattling inside an oversized box (increases both damage risk and the appearance of carelessness to customs inspectors)
• Obvious jewellery-branded packaging visible from outside
• Skipping insurance to save cost — see International Jewellery Shipping Cost for why this is usually a false economy
• Vague content descriptions on the customs paperwork — accurate description doesn't mean advertising the contents externally, but the commercial invoice itself must be specific and honest

Before you seal the box

Photograph each piece and the packed parcel before sealing — this documentation is valuable if you ever need to file an insurance claim or resolve a customs valuation question.