SENDING JEWELLERY
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HOW TO SEND JEWELLERY SAFELY AND SECURELY
Whether you’re an independent jewellery maker shipping handcrafted necklaces from your Etsy shop, or you’re sending a pair of earrings as a gift to a loved one, you need a delivery partner you can trust.
At DHL eCommerce UK, we specialise in helping small businesses and individuals get their items to their destination safely. We provide full end-to-end tracking and free £50 contents cover as standard, with the flexibility to upgrade for higher-value boutique pieces.
SHIPPING JEWELLERY INTERNATIONALLY
Sending your designs abroad is a great way to grow your business, but international shipping requires a little extra preparation. When your parcel leaves the UK, it must pass through customs, where different rules may apply.
1. The Customs Declaration (CN22/CN23)
When you book an international delivery, you’ll be asked to describe the contents.
- Focus on materials, not labels: Avoid high-value or generic terms such as “Jewellery”, “Gold”, or “Designer”. Instead, describe the base materials.
- Instead of “Gold necklace”, use: “Gold-plated brass necklace"
- Instead of “Designer earrings” use: “Handcrafted resin fashion accessories”
- Why? This gives customs the exact information they need to apply the correct taxes while keeping the package's contents discreet from a security perspective. A customs officer needs to know the material to apply the duty, not the brand.
- The HS Code: To help customs agents process your parcel quickly, use the correct Harmonised System (HS) code. For most costume or imitation jewellery (non-precious material), the code is 7117.
2. Local Country Restrictions
While DHL eCommerce might accept your item in the UK, some destination countries have very strict laws regarding any metal that looks like gold or silver.
- Regional Rules (e.g. Italy & France): These countries have notoriously strict regulations regarding the importation of jewellery. Even costume pieces can face delays if a customs officer cannot easily verify the metal content.
- The "Hallmark" Trap: Some countries require a hallmark for any item sold as ‘Silver’ or ‘Gold,’ even if it is only plated. To avoid issues, always describe plated items as ‘Base metal with Gold/Silver plating.’
3. Duties & Taxes
Remind your recipients that they may be liable for import VAT or duties depending on the value of the jewellery and the destination country’s thresholds.
HOW TO PACKAGE JEWELLERY FOR TRANSIT
Jewellery is delicate. If not packaged correctly, pieces risk getting tangled, scratched or marked. To make sure your items arrive in showroom condition, we recommend the ‘Box-in-Box’ method. It provides a buffer against impact damage and makes the parcel a less obvious target for theft.
What You'll Need
- Two boxes (one small inner box, one sturdy double-walled outer box)
- Bubble wrap or acid-free tissue paper (to prevent tarnishing)
- Packaging chips or crumpled craft paper
- Strong parcel tape
Step-by-Step Process
1. Protect the piece: Wrap each item individually in bubble wrap or tissue.
Pro-Tip: To prevent necklaces from tangling, thread the chain through a paper straw before securing it in its pouch or box.
2. The Inner Box: Place your jewellery inside a small, rigid box (such as your branded gift box). Fill any empty space with padding so the item cannot move.
3. The Shake test: Seal the inner box and give it a gentle shake. If you can hear a rattle, add more padding. Movement is the primary cause of damage during transit.
4. The Outer Layer: Place your inner box in the centre of a larger, double-walled outer box. This outer layer should be plain and unbranded.
5. Create a Buffer: Surround the inner box with at least 5cm of packaging chips or paper on all sides. This ensures that even if the outer box is compressed, your jewellery remains untouched.
6. Secure & Disguise: Seal the box using the "H-taping" method (sealing all seams).
Pro-Tip: Avoid using branded tape or labels that mention ‘jewellery’ or ‘gems’ on the outside. Keeping the packaging discreet is your best defence against transit loss.
WHAT JEWELLERY CAN AND CAN’T YOU SEND?
Not sure if your item is eligible to be sent with DHL eCommerce UK? Use this quick guide to distinguish between fashion and costume jewellery (which we carry) and fine jewellery (which we don’t carry and requires a specialist carrier).
| Can Send (Fashion & Costume) | Can’t Send (Luxury & High-Risk Items) |
|---|---|
|
Independent & boutique designs Handcrafted items made by you or small businesses. |
Luxury designer brands |
| Fashion Materials: Resin, wood, glass, acrylic, beads, fabric, and clay. |
Solid precious metals Items made of solid 18k/24k Gold, Sterling Silver, or Platinum |
| Plated Jewellery: Gold-plated or silver-plated items (costume jewellery). |
Precious Gemstones: Real Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds, or Sapphires |
| High Street Finds: Affordable jewellery purchased from standard retail shops. |
Irreplaceable Pieces: Items with high sentimental value or one-of-a-kind antiques. |
| Low-to-Mid Value: Items within our standard or extended compensation limits. |
Excessive Value: Items worth more than our maximum £5,000 extended cover. |
Is my work considered “Designer Jewellery”?
We know our UK and internationally prohibited items lists mention "Designer Goods," which can be confusing for independent makers. For shipping purposes, this refers to high-value luxury brands (like Rolex or Cartier) that are high-theft targets. If you are an independent designer or boutique maker, your work is not prohibited, provided it isn't made from precious metals or features precious gemstones. We cannot carry fine jewellery* or high-value luxury brands.
*Fine Jewellery (typically items made of solid precious metals such as gold or sterling silver, or pieces featuring precious gemstones, which are higher-risk within our network).
Please Note: Acceptance and compensation are separate considerations. Some items may be accepted for carriage but excluded from compensation, while others are not accepted at all.
Check Your Cover:
It is important to note that if you send something which is on our prohibited items list then this will invalidate the contents cover.
Makers & Small Businesses: If you have used gold-plated or silver-plated base metals for your designs, these are permitted as ‘costume jewellery.’ However, if your work is hallmarked as solid sterling silver or gold, it is classified as ‘fine jewellery’ and cannot be sent through our network.
DOOR‑TO‑DOOR TRACKING
For small businesses, customer service doesn't end at the checkout. As soon as your jewellery is collected or dropped off at a ServicePoint or depot, both you and your recipient gain access to full end-to-end tracking. This allows your customers to follow their new favourite piece at every stage of its journey.
- Signature on delivery For added peace of mind, you can specify that a signature is required. This ensures the package is handed directly to your recipient and isn't left in a ‘safe place’ or with a neighbour, which is a vital extra layer of security for boutique items. Please note: this is only available on packages with a value of up to £50.
- Notifications: Your customers will receive regular updates, reducing the ‘Where is my order?’ emails in your inbox.
ADD CONTENTS COVER
We include free £50 contents cover as standard on all deliveries. However, we know that handcrafted jewellery often has a higher value. If your item is worth more than £50, we strongly recommend opting for extended contents cover (up to £5,000) during the booking process.
How to Protect Your Claim
To ensure you are fully protected in the unlikely event of loss or damage, follow these ‘Pro-Sender’ steps before sealing your parcel:
1. Document the Value: Keep a copy of the Etsy/Shopify receipt or the ‘Cost of Goods’ invoice
2. Take ‘Prep Photos’: Take clear photos of the jewellery piece, the item inside its protective inner box, and the final sealed outer box with the shipping label visible.
3. Prove the Packaging: Should you need to make a claim, these photos serve as essential proof that the item was adequately protected according to our guidelines.
SEND WITH A CARRIER YOU CAN TRUST
As part of DHL Group – the world’s most recognized and trusted logistics leader -we are dedicated to supporting the UK’s community of makers, creators and gift-senders. We are committed to providing you and your customers with a seamless, high-quality service every time you ship.
But don’t just take our word for it – we’ve earned a ‘Excellent’ review status and a score of 4.2 on Feefo based on thousands of open and honest reviews.