UPS provides all packages automatically with $100 worth of liability for loss or damage. A shipper can declare a higher value for the shipment with an additional charge. With this in mind, UPS specifically states that UPS’s declared value is not insurance.

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What does UPS declared value cost?

As mentioned before, the first $100 of your UPS declared value is free of charge. But anything from $100.01 to $300 incurs a fee of $4.35. After $300, there is a $1.45 charge for each $100 worth of declared value. 

Any declaration of value from $100.01 to $300 is subject to a cost of $4.35. Indications of value
over $300 incur a charge per $100 (or a portion of $100) of the total value declared. The calculation also includes the first $100. For example, a declaration of $1050 value incurs a charge of $15.95.

The declared value of the package	2025 Cost
Value from $0 to $100	Free
Value from $100.01 to $300	$4.85
Value over $300, charge for each $100	$1.60 per $100 declared

What is the maximum UPS declared value?

• $50,000 for a package shipped when a UPS account number is provided or from a UPS Store.
• $5,000 for a container using a payment card as the payment method via UPS Internet Shipping.
• $1,000 for packages returned via UPS Print Return Label, UPS Print and Mail Return Label, Electronic Return Label, or 1 UPS Pickup Attempt, Return Services, and UPS Returns on the Web.
• $1,000 for a package shipped via a third-party retailer.
• $500 for a package shipped at a UPS Drop Box.
• $500 for an international shipment containing jewelry.
• Additionally, shippers cannot declare a value for UPS Prepaid Letters.   
• $999 for packages shipped using Shipper Release.

Page 171 of the UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service indicates that UPS does not offer insurance on any item with a declared value over $100, and insurance should be obtained elsewhere. Whenever a shipper declares less than $100 of value, UPS will pay out the lowest of $100, the declared value, the depreciated price of the item, or the repair cost.

UPS is not liable for loss or damage resulting from:

• Articles of Unusual Value
• Prepaid Letters
• Insects or vermin, deterioration, dampness of atmosphere, extreme temperature, ordinary wear
• Improper packaging
• Perishable Commodities
• Human remains
• Checks: UPS will not pay for the face value of the check
• Fluorescent tubes or bulbs
• Data stored on any media
• Acts of God, natural disasters, war risks, acts of terrorism, nuclear damage, acts of public authorities, riots, strikes, civil unrest, disruptions in air or ground transportation networks, or adverse weather conditions;
• Finally, any package or shipment without a scan

Declared value fees can truly add up without a shipper ever noticing, and small costs on each package can go unnoticed. In conclusion, if you are not sure how much you spend on these fees, you need to look at Refund Retriever’s full suite of reports and analytics.

This information highlights the areas our clients have problems with; therefore, refer to the UPS service guide for the complete list of limitations and exclusions. In conclusion, if you want to learn more about lowering your UPS declared value fees, contact us at Refund Retriever.