How to Safely Ship Your Watch or Jewellery

Introduction

Shipping a high-value watch or a beautiful luxury jewellery piece doesn’t have to be stressful. If you are a seasoned collector or you’re simply looking to sell or secure a loan against your luxury assets, there may come a time when you need to send a high-value asset by post or courier. Given the financial and often sentimental value of luxury watches and jewellery, it is entirely reasonable to seek assurance that your item will be handled with the utmost care. Regardless of whether the item will be returned following a valuation, servicing, or loan, or you are completing a sale, safe and secure transit is essential.

This guide will outline step by step how to send a watch or jewellery piece in the post or by courier, providing clear, professional advice to help ensure your high-value item reaches its destination safely and without complication.

Before you begin packaging your item, take a moment to clarify the shipping process. The steps involved may vary depending on your reason for sending the item and the party receiving it.

If you’re returning a watch or jewellery piece to a manufacturer, sending it for repair, or completing a sale or loan through a specific platform, the recipient may already have a preferred courier, insurance arrangement, or detailed shipping instructions in place. Always check this first, as following their guidance may simplify the process and offer additional protection. At Suttons & Robertsons, we will send you a detailed breakdown of the shipment process once a quote has been accepted for a luxury item sale or short-term loan. 

However, if you’re arranging shipment independently—whether for a private sale, loan valuation, or trade-in—this guide will walk you through what to do. Begin by confirming the key details: the recipient’s full name, the correct shipping address, and what exactly they expect to receive.

Before packaging your watch or jewellery, take a moment to ensure it is ready for transit. In most cases, your timepiece or jewellery will already be in the receiver’s agreed condition—particularly if it’s being sent for sale, servicing, or restoration. However, a final inspection to insure your description of the item is transparent is always advisable as it protects your investment until it is in the safe hands of the recipient, especially in the unfortunate event that you need to make a claim.

Unless the watch, jewellery piece, or its original packaging are especially delicate, consider giving it a gentle clean using a soft, lint-free cloth. This not only presents the piece well but also allows you to check for any existing marks or damage before shipping.

If available, include any relevant documentation that supports the provenance and value of your luxury asset. This may include the original box, purchase receipt, and service history. The warranty card is one of the most important documents associated with a watch, serving as proof of authenticity and often enhancing resale value—especially in the case of Rolex warranty cards. These items can help verify authenticity, support a valuation, and enhance the resale value of the timepiece—particularly in the case of luxury brands or limited-edition models. Similarly, jewellery often also comes with warranty cards or certificates of authenticity which should accompany the jewellery if applicable.

Unless it is a pre-requisite for your buyer, or you’ve already agreed to an informed transaction, if some of these documents are missing then there is no need to worry. Simply include what you have, ensuring everything is carefully placed and protected within the parcel.

Before you begin to pack your luxury item, take clear photographs of everything you plan to send. This should include multiple angles of the watch or jewellery piece, close-ups of any visible wear or damage, and images of supporting documents and original packaging that will accompany the item. It’s also advisable to take a final photo showing all items together—giving a clear overview of exactly what the recipient should expect to receive. We then advise emailing these photos to the recipient, creating a clear trail of authenticity during this transaction process.

For added peace of mind, some individuals choose to record the entire packing process. Whether through photographs or video, this documentation can be invaluable in the unlikely event of a dispute or insurance claim.

The most important step in this process is packaging your watch or jewellery correctly. Damage during transit is the worst-case scenario—and if your item isn’t packed to a reasonable standard, any insurance policy may be void. With that in mind, use protective materials generously. We believe that when it comes to luxury item shipping, more is more, and bubble wrap, bubble bags, and bubble envelopes are incredibly useful for securing your item for safe transit. 

Firstly, If Your Watch or Jewellery Has Its Original Box

Begin by ensuring your watch or jewellery is secure within its original box. Double-check that it’s firmly mounted in place and add soft padding—such as bubble wrap or foam—to prevent it from shifting during transit.

Next, wrap the entire box in protective material and place it within a larger, rigid shipping box. This adds another barrier between your item and the outside world.

Or, If You Don’t Have The Original Packaging

Wrap the item carefully in multiple layers of bubble wrap, taking extra care around the case and bracelet of your watch or the gemstones and intricacies of your piece of jewellery. Then, place it inside a small padded box or a tamper-evident envelope. Loose items should be protected individually. Add more padding inside to stop the item from moving around.

Secondly, Use The Double Boxing Method

Whether or not you have the original box, we strongly recommend placing your prepared parcel inside a second, larger box. Fill any empty spaces with additional protective material to prevent any internal movement. This technique ensures that only the outer box absorbs the impact if the parcel is dropped or mishandled.

Then, Seal Everything Securely

Once packed, seal the parcel thoroughly. Reinforce all edges, joins, and flaps with strong adhesive parcel tape—don’t just tape the main opening. This adds a layer of tamper resistance and helps protect against accidental opening and potential damage.

Optional: Additional Protection

You may wish to mark the parcel with “Fragile” tape or directional stickers such as “This Way Up.” While these can prompt couriers to handle the package more carefully, they may also draw unwanted attention, so use them at your discretion.

If you’re especially worried about your luxury item getting damaged or posting overseas, it’s also worth wrapping the inner box in a waterproof layer, such as a sealable plastic bag, to guard against potential water damage during handling.

Discretion Is Key

Crucially, the exterior of your parcel should never indicate what’s inside. Avoid referencing watches, jewellery, or luxury items anywhere on the packaging. A plain, unmarked box helps protect your shipment by not attracting unnecessary attention.

In many cases, the courier may already be arranged—especially if you’re sending the piece for repair, authentication, or sale through a specific platform. At Suttons & Robertsons, we offer Royal Mail Special Delivery service for the transport of your luxury item, making the process of selling or loaning your watch or jewellery seamless.

However, if you’re arranging the shipment yourself, selecting the right delivery service is key to ensuring your watch or jewellery arrives safely. Specialist couriers exist for transporting high-value items, but they aren’t always necessary. Well-established courier companies with experience handling valuable goods can also be suitable—provided they meet a few essential criteria:

• Detailed tracking
  Choose a service that offers full tracking from dispatch to delivery. This allows both you and the recipient to monitor the parcel’s journey, and provides vital evidence if a delay or issue arises.
• Proven reliability
  Look for a provider with a strong record of delivering items safely and on time. Independent reviews and customer feedback can give you a sense of how well a courier handles luxury shipments.
• Signature on delivery
  Always select a shipping option that requires a signature upon receipt. This ensures the parcel is handed directly to the intended recipient, adding another layer of security.
• Fixed time delivery
  For an additional layer of security, you could also choose a courier that offers fixed time delivery. This adds another level of control during the shipping process ensuring the item is received in a timely and direct manner.

If in doubt, speak to the courier directly about the nature of the item you’re shipping. Most major providers offer specific services tailored to higher-value parcels—sometimes with additional insurance or handling protocols available on request.

When sending a high-value watch or luxury branded jewellery piece, it’s essential to make sure you’re adequately insured. Even with the most secure packaging and a trusted courier, unexpected issues can occur in transit. Insurance offers vital protection and peace of mind should the item be lost, damaged, or stolen. With this in mind, if you choose to loan or sale your luxury item with us, we make this step easy with our own insurance which protects you up to £20K.

Start by reviewing the insurance policy provided by your chosen courier. While most reputable services include some level of cover, it may not reflect the true value of your luxury item. Always verify that the declared value matches the item’s current market worth.

If the included insurance is insufficient, consider arranging additional coverage—either through the courier or a specialist third-party provider. Having the right insurance in place ensures that, should the worst happen, you’ll be fully compensated for the loss. This is where your thorough photography will be beneficial, supporting you in any insurance claims or investigations.

With everything packed, documented, and insured, you’re almost ready to send your parcel. But before handing it over, take a moment to double-check the essentials—this is not the stage to rush.

Ensure the shipping address is 100% accurate and matches the details provided for your insurance cover, as well as making sure your return address is on the parcel. Any discrepancies could complicate a potential claim. It’s always recommended to print the shipping label rather than writing it by hand—this reduces the risk of smudges, misread addresses, or courier error.

The shipping address should be affixed to the left centre of your package unless directed otherwise. For shipments to Suttons & Robertsons, please then attach your blue royal mail label at the top right hand corner of the parcel. All labels should be fixed down with clear adhesive tape.

Confirm that all components—watch/jewellery, documents, and original packaging—have been included, and that your outer box is properly sealed. If you’re sending the parcel as part of a sale, double-check your listing to ensure nothing has been overlooked.

Many couriers require high-value items to be dropped off at designated service points, rather than collected. Not all drop-off locations are equipped to handle valuable packages, so it’s worth checking ahead to confirm where you need to go. Planning this step in advance helps avoid last-minute stress or unnecessary delays.

Once your parcel has been sent, share the tracking number, estimated delivery date, and a photo of the receipt or handover with the recipient. This helps reassure them, especially in the case of a transaction, and offers you additional security by creating a clear record of the dispatch.

When you receive notification of delivery, follow up to confirm that the item has arrived safely and in the expected condition. If any issues arise, this is the point to raise them with the courier or, if needed, your insurer.

Ideally, this marks the completion of a smooth transaction—or the beginning of your item’s next chapter, whether that’s a valuation, service, or sale. Either way, by following a secure and careful process, you’ve protected both your luxury item, whether thats a timepiece or high-value jewellery piece, and your peace of mind.

If you’re planning to sell your luxury watch or unlock the value of your luxury jewellery, Suttons & Robertsons offers a safe, straightforward courier service designed to bring you peace of mind during this process.

Alternatively, we also offer jewellery loans and watch pawnbroking if you’re not ready to part with your item but you are in need of a short-term cash boost.

Once you’ve been in touch and agreed to proceed with a sale or loan, our team will guide you through each step of securely packaging your high-value item. For all sales and short-term loans, we offer Royal Mail Special Delivery, with insurance coverage of up to £20,000 during transit—ensuring your timepiece or jewellery item is protected every step of the way.

If you’re based in London and looking to unlock the value of your luxury items, you’re welcome to visit us at one of our Suttons & Robertsons locations—Edgware Road, South Kensington, or Victoria. For those outside the capital, simply get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.