China Parcel Insurance and Claims: What to Verify

In brief: Liability limits, conversion values, exclusions and deadlines depend on the carrier, route, applicable convention and current written terms. Obtain the specific limit and deadline before booking.

Identify the contract and coverage

Ask who is the carrier or route provider, who is the shipper of record, and whether optional coverage is carrier declared-value service, agent protection or third-party insurance. These products can respond differently to the same loss.

Read exclusions before dispatch

Confirm treatment of fragile goods, insufficient packaging, prohibited or restricted items, customs action, delay, water damage and parcels marked delivered. Do not assume a declared value is the same as insured value.

Record the current limits and deadlines

Obtain the written per-kilogram or per-parcel limit, the currency or SDR conversion basis, reporting deadline and required documents for the exact route. International liability rules and carrier terms can change, so fixed dollar examples quickly become stale.

Preserve evidence

Keep the listing, invoice, order record, warehouse photos, packing request, declared contents, tracking and delivery evidence. Photograph all sides of a visibly damaged carton before opening and contact the agent promptly because it may be the carrier contractual shipper.

Primary and official sources

Page updated 2026-08-02. Recheck current provider and authority terms before acting.