Parcel Sendings FAQ

Please note that the information provided is for general guidance only and may not reflect the specific terms and conditions of your individual policy.

For advice specific to your cover, we recommend speaking directly with your TH March account executive or local branch.

  • UK parcel insurance cover (TH March Jewellers’ Block policies only)
  • Overseas parcel insurance cover (TH March Jewellers’ Block policies only)
  • UK parcel sendings via Royal Mail
UK parcel insurance cover (TH March Jewellers’ Block policies only)
Which Royal Mail services can I use for sending jewellery, precious stones and watches?

Cover is available for sendings via any of the Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed services.

What level of Royal Mail compensation am I obliged to purchase?

The only requirement is for you to purchase at least the minimum available i.e. £750. Some of our clients choose to purchase the higher levels of £1,000 or £2,500 with a view to reducing claims on their insurance policy, but there is no obligation to do so.

As Royal Mail no longer provides compensation payments for parcels containing valuables with a total value over £2,500, we would recommend bearing this in mind when deciding which compensation level to purchase. If you decide to opt for a compensation level lower than you usually do, please contact your account executive as you may need to increase your sendings cover if more parcels are to be insured.

Does a policy excess apply to Royal Mail Special Delivery parcel losses?

Please contact your local branch for details of any applicable policy excess.

Is cover available for goods sent with other couriers?

Yes! Cover can be provided for goods sent via scanned and tracked courier services such as those provided by:

  • DHL
  • DPD
  • FedEx
  • UPS

We would recommend considering services that utilise a one-time passcode (OTP) which can help provide evidence that a parcel has been delivered to the correct recipient. This will in turn avoid parcel losses when it is not clear if the parcel has been delivered correctly.

If the courier requires me to state what’s in the parcel, what should I say?

There are no requirements under our policies regarding this point. Obviously it would be preferable to avoid making any mention of jewellery, precious stones, watches and the like, so you could use a more generic term, which is unlikely to draw attention e.g. ‘noble metal’ when sending gold or silver.

What limits are available for high value parcels?

The available limits vary based on several factors. Please contact us for further details.

How can I find out more?

Simply contact your dedicated account executive or the team in your local TH March branch to discuss your requirements.

Overseas parcel insurance cover (TH March Jewellers’ Block policies only)
Which types of parcel services can I use?

Cover is typically available via Royal Mail’s International Services (e.g. Tracked, Signed or Tracked & Signed) and scanned and tracked courier services such as those provided by

  • DHL
  • DPD
  • FedEx
  • UPS

Which countries can I send goods to?

Cover is available for parcels sent to most countries, however there are restrictions for countries that the UK Government has imposed sanctions on.

What limits are available for high value parcels?

The available limits vary based on several factors. Please contact us for further details.

How can I find out more?

Simply contact your dedicated account executive or the team in your local TH March branch to discuss your requirements.

UK parcel sendings via Royal Mail
Please note that the information provided below is correct as at the time of writing (July 2025) so we would urge you to check Royal Mail’s website for any updates to their terms and conditions.
Which service do I need to use for sending money, jewellery and valuables in the UK?

Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed services (Next Day, 9am, 1pm and Returns). Compensation is available at £750, £1,000 and £2,500.

Are there any key terms and conditions that I need to be aware of?

Royal Mail states that you must not send any package containing “valuables” (which includes jewellery, precious stones and watches) with a total value of more than £2,500* using any of the following Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed services:

  • Special Delivery Guaranteed Next Day
  • Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am
  • Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm
  • Special Delivery Guaranteed Returns

If sending non-valuable items, the maximum total value is increased to £5,000. For further details please see “Contents of items” on page 7 of Royal Mail’s terms and conditions.

This means that if you send a parcel containing jewellery, precious stones or watches, with an overall value over £2,500 (regardless of the compensation level you purchased), Royal Mail can refuse payment of any compensation. You may also be liable for any additional costs that Royal Mail incur.

*Please refer to the section above providing details of the insurance cover available for UK parcel sendings.

When can you claim for a lost parcel?

Compensation for loss will not be considered for an item that Royal Mail has not delivered or attempted to deliver until after:

  • 10 working days for items other than Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm, or
  • 5 working days for Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm.

These timescales may differ for items posted on account.

How long do you have to submit your claim?

Claims for loss must be made within 80 calendar days of the date of posting, or no claim will be considered.

Who can make the claim to Royal Mail?

The sender or the recipient of the item may both claim for a lost item but only one will be paid compensation. 

Who needs to provide supporting evidence?

The claimant is required to provide the same evidence regardless of whether they are the sender or recipient.

When will you hear back from Royal Mail?

Royal Mail should contact the claimant with the outcome of their claim within 30 calendar days.

In our experience, if you don’t hear back from Royal Mail in this timeframe, claimants who contact them by telephone to advance the claim do tend to have a more successful outcome.

What will you get back if Royal Mail settle your compensation claim?

A refund of the postage fee plus compensation on the basis of the “actual loss”.

The compensation is subject to the maximum payable being the lower of the amount calculated in line with Royal Mail’s definition of “actual loss” and the maximum level of compensation purchased.