UPS Declared Value (carrier liability)

At a glance

Sold by

UPS, as an extra charge when you declare a value above $100 on a UPS shipment.

Claims handled by

UPS or its designee handles claims.

Risk carried by

Not insurance (carrier liability)

Max per parcel

$50,000 per package ($70,000 for certain eligible packages; $100,000 per pallet). Lower caps apply in some channels, such as $500 for UPS Drop Box packages.

Pays out on

The lowest of $100 (or the declared value, if paid for), the price the buyer paid, the actual cost, the replacement cost, or the repair cost.

Relationship to carrier

This is the carrier’s own liability

Wording available

Public master policy or tariff

This is UPS's own contractual liability. UPS says shippers who want insurance should buy it from a third party, and names its affiliates UPS Capital Insurance Agency and Parcel Pro as possible sources.

Does UPS declared value cover porch theft?

By default UPS can deliver without a signature and is not liable for loss after delivery. Where UPS offers Package Shield and you declare a value and pay for it, UPS is liable if a package left without a signature is stolen before the receiver takes it.

Jewelry, watches, laptops, and phones

UPS will not carry 'articles of unusual value', which include any package worth more than $50,000 ($70,000 for Enhanced Maximum Declared Value packages). Unset precious stones on any shipment, and international jewelry, are capped at $1,000 (international jewelry $2,500 to listed destinations). Jewelry, computers, phones and other high-value goods must not be labeled with their contents.

Signature rules

• Without a Signature Required service, UPS may deliver without getting a signature.

  “Unless the Shipper selects a Signature Required service, UPS reserves the right, in its sole and unlimited discretion, to make a Delivery without obtaining a signature.”

• Packages over $1,000 processed in a UPS shipping system and handed to a driver are capped at $1,000 unless a high-value shipment summary is signed by the driver.

  “$1,000 per Package for a Package processed for shipment prior to tender using a UPS Shipping System and tendered to a UPS driver or UPS Customer Center, unless a UPS high-value ship”

• Alcohol and firearms shipments must use Adult Signature Required.

  “For all Packages containing alcoholic beverages, the Shipper must use Adult Signature Required service requesting an adult signature for each Package containing alcoholic beverages, and must affix a special UPS alcoholic beverages label”

What it excludes

• Articles of unusual value and items UPS does not accept

  “UPS shall not be liable or responsible for: – loss or damage to articles of unusual value (as defined in these Terms)”

• Packaging that does not meet UPS's published standards

  “loss or damage resulting from improper, inadequate or unsafe packaging, labeling, or wrapping that fails to meet UPS's published standards related thereto set forth in the Terms or at ups.com”

• Damage claims where the original packaging is not kept for inspection

  “damage to any Package or Shipment where the original packaging materials are not made available to UPS for inspection”

• Acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, strikes, weather and network disruptions

  “loss or damage due to acts of God, natural disasters, war risks, acts of terrorism, nuclear damage, acts of public authorities ... acts or omissions of customs or similar authorities ... riots, strikes or other labor disputes, civil unrest”

• Perishables damaged by heat, cold or their perishable nature

  “loss or damage to Perishable Commodities to the extent the loss or damage results from exposure to heat or cold or the perishable nature of the item”

• Fraud, including shipments redirected or intercepted by a third party

  “UPS shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from fraud committed against the Shipper, Consignee or UPS, including but not limited to loss or damage to Shipments that are redirected or intercepted by a third party without authorization.”

• Packages with no UPS scan or record of tender

  “loss or damage to any Package or Shipment for which UPS has no scan or other record reflecting that the Package or Shipment was tendered to UPS by the Shipper”

• Consequential damages and delay (except the Service Guarantee refund)

  “UPS has no liability whatsoever for delayed Delivery, except as specifically provided for Shipments guaranteed under the UPS Service Guarantee.”

• UPS Service Guarantee can be cancelled or suspended without notice

  “UPS may cancel, suspend or modify the UPS Service Guarantee (or change the guaranteed time in transit) for any service(s), and for any period of time, as determined by UPS in its sole and unlimited discretion, and without prior notice.”

• Data on media

  “loss of, damage to, or irretrievability of data stored on any type of media, or of information including without limitation personal, health or financial information”

How and when claims pay

Declared value is UPS's own liability limit: $100 per package by default, higher only if you declare a value and pay the charge.

Deadlines

• Domestic: UPS must get notice of the claim within 60 days after delivery, or after the scheduled delivery date if not delivered.

  “For domestic Shipments ... UPS must receive notice of claims within sixty days after Delivery of the Package or, in case of failure to make Delivery, within sixty days after the date of scheduled Delivery.”

• Domestic: the claim itself must be filed within nine months after delivery or scheduled delivery.

  “Claims must be filed within nine months after Delivery of the Package or, in case of failure to make Delivery, within nine months after the date of scheduled Delivery.”

• International: claims must be filed within 60 days after delivery or scheduled delivery.

  “For international Shipments, claims must be filed within sixty days after Delivery of the Package or pallet or, in the case of non-Delivery, within sixty days after the date of scheduled Delivery.”

• Missed notice or filing deadlines waive the claim.

  “Where UPS does not receive notice of claims, claims are not filed, or suits are not instituted thereon in accordance with the foregoing provisions, such claims shall be deemed waived and will not be paid.”

• Lawsuits must start within two years after UPS denies any part of the claim; disputes otherwise go to individual arbitration or small claims court.

  “Suits shall be instituted within two years after denial of any portion of the claim.”

• Service Guarantee refunds: notify UPS of the late delivery within 15 calendar days.

  “UPS is notified ... of a service failure within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of scheduled Delivery or the date by which UPS has amended or corrected the actual time of Delivery”

Payment time

UPS will pay, decline, or make a written settlement offer within 120 days after it receives the claim.

What we couldn't confirm

• The UPS Rate and Service Guide, which is part of the contract and sets declared value charges, was not held, so no price is shown.
• UPS says the controlling version is the one online at ups.com/termsofservice on the ship date; the held PDF may later be replaced.
• International and other-country UPS terms differ and were not covered.
• Declared value charges are set in the UPS Rate and Service Guide, which was not held; our review has no UPS declared value price.
• UPS Package Shield is offered only where UPS displays it in WorldShip, ups.com shipping or UPS Ready, or by written agreement. The held terms do not say which accounts or services get it.
• UPS's terms say the version online at ups.com/termsofservice on the ship date controls. The held copy is the April 17, 2026 edition.
• UPS declared value is separate from UPS Capital / InsureShield insurance and from other third-party insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. UPS United States — 2026 Tariff/Terms and Conditions, effective 17 April 2026 tariff · Effective April 17, 2026

Insurrl doesn't sell insurance and isn't paid by any insurer. This page summarizes published wording; your own certificate, schedule, or account terms can change the result.