best way to ship bullion?

Numis

Any advice on the best and safest way to ship multiple 10 ounce silver bars?

Frankcas

USPS Registered Insured.

RedHerring

I agree with Frankcas if you're shipping more than 5 of them together. Five 10ozs or less and I'd use USPS Priority Mail Flat rate box with insurance to save money.

tincup

<< <i>I agree with Frankcas if you're shipping more than 5 of them together. Five 10ozs or less and I'd use USPS Priority Mail Flat rate box with insurance to save money. >>



I can see using the priority flat rate box... but you should not have to purchase additional insurance with registered mail? If I'm not mistaken, your registered mail price takes into account the value of the shipment; thus insurance is already included.

Weg

I thought there are limits for the amount that can be insured depending on the USPS method of shipment.
$5,000 max for 1st class or priority, and $25,000 for registered. So any shipment valued over $5,000 will have to be sent registered. Yes?

tincup

I think that your are correct that there is a limit on the insurance coverage, but I do not know what the limit is.

I think it is actually cheaper to send registered on amounts above $600, when compared to what the priority + insurance cost is.

mrpotatoheadd

From the USPS DMM:

Insured mail purchased at a retail Post Office provides up to $5,000.00 indemnity coverage for a lost, rifled, or damaged article, subject to the standards for the service and payment of the applicable fee.

Insured mail purchased online provides up to $500.00 indemnity coverage (see 709.4.0 for exception) for lost, rifled, or damaged articles, subject to the standards for the service and payment of the applicable fee.

Registered Mail fees and charges are in addition to postage. Maximum amount of insurance coverage available is $25,000. Fees for articles valued over $25,000 are for handling only. See Notice 123—Price List.

RedHerring

<< <i>I think it is actually cheaper to send registered on amounts above $600, when compared to what the priority + insurance cost is. >>



For me the cut-off is $1500. Over $1500 and I ship Registered, under $1500 Priority Insured. You can calculate the cost at USPS.com.

Geotovore

Spanish galleon, IMO.

derryb

For heavy shipments such as bullion, use registered, insured with electronic return receipt packaged in a Medium Flat Rate priority box is the only way to go. You will get the Medium box flat rate and pay a little more for the registered. a shipmen with insured value of $5,000 will run you in the neighborhood of $30 by taking advantage of the medium flat rate discount. Even if you can pack a lot of weight into the small priority flat rate box I advise against it because the boxes are weaker and during shipment it will get dropped a lot by employees who don't realize it is heavy when they attempt to pick it up.

Occassionally you will run into a clerk that does not know you can send Registered Flat rate priority. Tell them to just punch into the computer and they will see it can be done. Medium flat rate priority box works great for bullion and here's why:

Six small flat rate boxes will stack perfectly inside a medium box. Put your bullion in as many of the small flat rate boxes as necessary (try to center them in the medium box) and use the remaining empty ones to fill the void and act as packaging. Secure the outside of the box with 1/2 to 1" fiberglass reinforce clear tape to keep the box intact during shipment. Be sure that all seams on the outer medium box and the clear tape or covered with glue backed brown kraft paper tape (avialable at staples). You can even use a priority mailing label. Registered postage has to be purchased at the counter. Just say "Registered, medium flat rate, insured with electronic return receipt (provides signature confirmation)." Have your small white registered form (PS Form 3806) filled out (including insured amount) and hand to postal clerk along with the package.

I have shipped hundreds of these packages.

derryb

<< <i>

<< <i>I agree with Frankcas if you're shipping more than 5 of them together. Five 10ozs or less and I'd use USPS Priority Mail Flat rate box with insurance to save money. >>



I can see using the priority flat rate box... but you should not have to purchase additional insurance with registered mail? If I'm not mistaken, your registered mail price takes into account the value of the shipment; thus insurance is already included. >>



You have to claim value of registered shipment on the PS Form 3806 and it will add to your postage costs.

derryb

<< <i>I think that your are correct that there is a limit on the insurance coverage, but I do not know what the limit is.

I think it is actually cheaper to send registered on amounts above $600, when compared to what the priority + insurance cost is. >>



My calculations have established a $700+ value to go registered. Don't forget that if the item will fit in the Express cardboard flat rate envelope (1-3 graded slabs in a bubble envelope) and the insured value is $5000 or less, it's only a few more dollars than registered to get you customer's purchase delivered overnight.

Numis

Thanks for all the great info!

notwilight

I think you guys missed the question, or gave him the answer he desired but not the answer most need:

Pad the edges so they can't cut through the box.

Put several layers of padding between the silver and the box.

DO NOT use bubble wrap. You may get away with it or a bubble or two may pop. Once a bubble pops, the pressure on the rest of the bubbles goes up. As more pop, less remain, and more pop. Get the picture. Use cardboard of heavy brown paper. Weight doesn't matter in a flat rate box.

Wrap AROUND the bar(s) so they can't move to the perimeter of the box. I had a 100 oz bar show up once wrapped in 10 old T shirts. Well done.

And use lots of tape. If you're at all concerned, use nylon strapping tape. But if you've done the above, you should be fine with several layers of packaging tape.

Ship online with paypal shipping or click-n-ship to get a barcoded address label that you know is correct.

Most losses of bullion are due to box failure. 2nd behind that is bad addresses. If you do the above, it's almost a wast of money to insure it.

--Jerry

PerryHall

<< <i>If you do the above, it's almost a wast of money to insure it. >>



Insurance is more for loss or theft than packaging failure.