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Fedex and UPS FYI - Do not ship coins!

Just an FYI while doing some research - this is from UPS and FedEx web sites. BOTH prohibit the sending of coins. I never knew that!

Fedex Prohibited Items

You are prohibited from tendering the following items for shipment, and they will not be accepted:

A. Cash, currency, collectible stamps and coins.

UPS Prohibited Items

XXVII. SHIPMENTS NOT ACCEPTABLE
Unless otherwise agreed in writing by us prior to shipping, the following shipments will not be acceptable for transportation by us:
A. Corpses or cremated or disinterred remains.
B. Live animals (including birds, fish, reptiles, or insects), except mice, rats, toads, frogs or leeches destined to or originating from medical laboratories within the United States or Canada.
C. Shipments of gold or other precious metals including but not limited to silver, bronze, copper, gold or silver coins, coin collections, gems, and precious stones.
My Registry Sets! PCGS Registry

Comments

  • LALASD4LALASD4 Posts: 3,602 ✭✭✭
    Someone please tell the U.S. Mint.image
    Coin Collector, Chicken Owner, Licensed Tax Preparer & Insurance Broker/Agent.
    San Diego, CA


    image
  • CoinHuskerCoinHusker Posts: 5,033 ✭✭✭
    Somebody should tell the Mint.
    Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"
  • FletcherFletcher Posts: 3,294
    They will not INSURE coins. However, many dealers carry their own insurance that allows them to ship coins via Fedex or UPS as long as they take certain precautions (ie - taping the ends of the boxes, etc.).

    image


  • I thought the mint shipped with DHL?
    Support your local gunslinger, you never know when you'll need him
  • GoldbullyGoldbully Posts: 17,881 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I thought the mint shipped with DHL? >>




    They do ship DHL on lower value coins.

    My Plat came FedEx.
  • slipgateslipgate Posts: 2,301 ✭✭


    << <i>They will not INSURE coins. However, many dealers carry their own insurance that allows them to ship coins via Fedex or UPS as long as they take certain precautions (ie - taping the ends of the boxes, etc.).

    image >>



    I'm not saying I wouldn't ship anyway, but the site is very clear that it is prohibited. It is not an insurance issue.
    My Registry Sets! PCGS Registry
  • If it is prohibited why does FedEx ship Mint orders? It isn't like they don't know what's in the package? image
    What Mr. Spock would say about numismatics...
    image... "Fascinating, but not logical"

    "Live long and prosper"

    My "How I Started" columns


  • << <i>

    << <i>I thought the mint shipped with DHL? >>




    They do ship DHL on lower value coins.

    My Plat came FedEx. >>



    That would be my orders as I don't buy much from the mint.
    Support your local gunslinger, you never know when you'll need him
  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭


    << <i>If it is prohibited why does FedEx ship Mint orders? It isn't like they don't know what's in the package? image >>

    Now you're being, umm.... logical. Stop it! image
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Damn, UPS won't ship dead bodies.

    Russ, NCNE
  • Usually the threshold is $300. If the order is over that, the Mint will ship via Fedex (and it is a free upgrade). There are exceptions since Fedex does not deliver to PO boxes and some remote areas.

    You can ship coins via UPS and Fedex but you need 3rd party insurance to cover them.
    I'd keep playing. I don't think the heavy stuff will be coming down for quite a while!
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭


    << <i>If it is prohibited why does FedEx ship Mint orders? It isn't like they don't know what's in the package? image >>


    For the same reason Dell pays $30 to ship the conmputer that would cost you $100 to ship. They negotiate custom contracts for businesses that provide significant revenue - not only price, but contents as well.
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,667 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Someone please tell the U.S. Mint.image >>



    They have a written contract. Casual shippers don't.
    All glory is fleeting.
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭
    Hmmm!

    What can Brown NOT do for you??
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • 57loaded57loaded Posts: 4,967 ✭✭✭


    << <i>They will not INSURE coins. However, many dealers carry their own insurance that allows them to ship coins via Fedex or UPS as long as they take certain precautions (ie - taping the ends of the boxes, etc.).

    image >>



    true, true
  • TorinoCobra71TorinoCobra71 Posts: 8,059 ✭✭✭
    That is why USPS Registered Mail is the ONLY way to go when shipping coins and/or currency!

    TorinoCobra71
    image
  • LanLordLanLord Posts: 11,723 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Damn, UPS won't ship dead bodies. Russ, NCNE >>

    I guess I can't help out a friend later on todayimage
  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,375 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>That is why USPS Registered Mail is the ONLY way to go when shipping coins and/or currency!

    TorinoCobra71 >>

    Unless you have private insurance. I've shipped coins via UPS, DHL, and FedEx... no problems.
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • ScarsdaleCoinScarsdaleCoin Posts: 5,324 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The reason stated is that they have unusual value..... UPS in the "fine print" says that many other items with unusual value are also not allowed..... its just a way out....they dont want to take the risk of having to payout for a lost item.... USPS Reg Mail is the way for the average collector to ship!
    Jon Lerner - Scarsdale Coin - www.CoinHelp.com
  • AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,370 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Damn, UPS won't ship dead bodies.

    Russ, NCNE >>



    Why Russ? You got something in your closet? image
    All coins kept in bank vaults.
    PCGS Registries
    Box of 20
    SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,313 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Many major dealers still ship this way. As long as they don't tell what's in the package and their private insurer carries the risk, then UPS/Fedex is out of the loop. How many times have their been threads here were some local Podunk Post Office refused to accept a REG package of coins?

    My own local PO refused to allow me to ship an express mail package from "Dealer X" to "Dealer X." They thought this was shady and a somehow a scam or threat to them.

    roadrunner
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • dcamp78dcamp78 Posts: 1,082 ✭✭
    Didn't know that. Thanks for the heads-up!!!
    Big Dave
    -------------------------
    Good trades with: DaveN, Tydye, IStillLikeZARCoins, Fjord, Louie, BRdude
    Good buys from: LordMarcovan, Aethelred, Ajaan, PrivateCoinCollector, LindeDad, Peaceman, Spoon, DrJules, jjrrww
    Good sale to: Nicholasz219
  • mrearlygoldmrearlygold Posts: 17,858 ✭✭✭
    My insurance covers express mail thru the post office. In AND out. There are specific guidelines to follow. I've been shipping overnight express either thru Fedex or USPS for more than 12 years.

    Lost one Fedex although it was sent on Sil DiGenova's account when he still owned TIA. 1920-S St Gaudens in Ch AU. Fedex came in but the box was empty. His insurance company disputed the claim. The coin later surfaced at a coin shop in Maryland. The Fedex drivers brother-in-law was trying to sell it and was promptly arrested.

    Fedexed Cardinal a coin once that seemed lost as it didn't arrive on schedule. Called Fedex and they tracked it to a conveyor belt in Oakland Ca while I waited on hold.

    Express mail is definitely not as reliable when it comes to tracking as Fedex and in fact it's not even in the same universe. But since 9/11, fedex will often times leave a package on peoples front porches or with neighbors which voids any insurance claim. Hence, many of us use Express mail despite the antiquated tracking system.

    It's thousands of dollars for a decent insurance plan.

    I've never had a claim.

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