High-value cargo protection
Ship valuable, fragile and branded cargo with clear declaration and claims procedures
ASP Cargo supports valuable cargo shipping from China by air freight, sea freight and international courier. Optional freight insurance can be arranged separately according to the declared value, cargo nature, packing, route and transport mode.
What we can handle
What Is Considered Valuable Cargo?
High-value cargo is not limited to one product category. The need for special handling depends on the declared value, theft risk, fragility, resale value and the consequences of loss or damage.
Phones and Electronics
Mobile phones, tablets, cameras, components and consumer electronics.
Computers and IT Equipment
Laptops, servers, networking hardware and specialised computing equipment.
Jewellery and Luxury Goods
Jewellery, watches, genuine branded goods and other high-value retail products.
Precision Equipment
Medical, laboratory, optical and precision industrial instruments.
Fragile Products
Glass, ceramics, displays and other items that require reinforced packing.
Branded Merchandise
Authentic branded products supported by invoices, authorisation and customs documents.
Available transport modes
Air, Sea and Courier Shipping for Valuable Cargo
Air freight
Suitable for urgent, compact and high-value shipments where transit time and controlled handovers are important.
Sea freight
Suitable for larger shipments, machinery and commercial cargo where cost efficiency is more important than speed.
International courier
Suitable for smaller parcels and time-sensitive consignments, subject to product, value and destination restrictions.
Before the shipment moves
Declare the Actual Cargo Value
All valuable cargo must be declared before booking. Provide the true product description, quantity, unit value and total commercial value. Undeclared or incorrectly declared cargo cannot be assessed against its full value after a loss.
- Commercial invoice or purchase evidence
- Detailed packing list
- Product description, brand and model
- Serial numbers where applicable
- Photographs of goods and external packaging
- Special handling or fragility instructions
Optional protection
Freight Insurance for Australia-Bound Valuable Cargo
ASP Cargo can arrange optional international freight insurance for air, courier and sea shipments. Freight insurance coverage is separate from ASP Cargo’s standard uninsured compensation limits and is subject to the insurer’s policy wording and approval.
How freight insurance cost is calculated
The premium is quoted individually and may depend on:
- Declared commercial value
- Cargo type and susceptibility to theft or damage
- Air, courier or ocean freight route
- Packing method and shipment size
- Required freight insurance coverage
- Insurer exclusions and deductible
When to request insurance
Insurance must be requested and confirmed before the cargo departs. It cannot normally be added after a known loss, damage event or delivery exception.
- Declare the cargo and value
- Provide the invoice and packing details
- Receive the premium and coverage terms
- Confirm acceptance before dispatch
For marine freight insurance, ocean freight insurance, air freight cargo insurance or courier cargo cover, the final insurer terms take priority over this general page.
Uninsured shipment limits
Standard Loss and Damage Compensation
The following limits apply to shipments that are not covered by a separately confirmed insurance policy or written compensation agreement. Insurance claims follow the insurer’s policy instead.
| Claim situation | Standard compensation |
|---|---|
| Shipment lost before online tracking appears | Compensation equal to twice the freight charge paid. |
| Shipment lost after online tracking appears | Sea freight billed by weight: CNY 20/kg. Sea freight billed by volume: CNY 1,000/CBM. Air freight: CNY 40/kg. Courier claims follow the courier service terms or the written quotation. Compensation applies only to the confirmed lost portion; freight is not refunded. |
| Shipment lost during overseas return | The same sea or air weight-based standard applies to the confirmed lost portion. Courier claims follow the courier service terms or the written quotation. Freight is not refunded. |
| Shipment lost during re-dispatch | The same sea or air weight-based standard applies to the confirmed lost portion. Courier claims follow the courier service terms or the written quotation. Freight is not refunded. |
| Confirmed transit damage or partial loss | Confirmed damage or partial loss is assessed by the affected weight: normally CNY 20/kg for sea freight and CNY 40/kg for air freight. Courier claims follow the courier service terms or the written quotation. All claims remain subject to evidence and the exclusions below. |
Claim procedure
Documents and Claim Time Limit
Documents normally required
- Commercial invoice for the transported goods
- Shipment packing list
- Complete transport tracking history
- Clear photographs of the goods and packaging for damage claims
- Delivery or refusal receipt when the consignee rejects the shipment
- Any additional carrier, customs or warehouse evidence requested during review
Timing
Notify ASP Cargo and provide available evidence within one week of delivery, refusal, confirmed loss or damage discovery.
Review is generally completed within one month after all required documents have been received. Complex carrier or insurer investigations may take longer.
Exclusions
Situations Not Covered by Standard Compensation
- Customs inspection or missing documents: The shipper must provide contracts, invoices, payment evidence and other requested documents promptly. Delays, storage, inspection, destruction or related costs caused by missing or late documents are borne by the shipper.
- False declaration, counterfeit or prohibited goods: ASP Cargo is not responsible for seizure or penalties caused by inaccurate declarations, counterfeit products or restricted cargo. The customer bears resulting costs and legal responsibility.
- Transport and customs delays: Flight delays, vessel schedule changes, customs delays and delivery delays do not qualify for compensation.
- Unclear point of damage: When goods are shipped in the supplier’s original packaging and it cannot be established whether damage occurred during domestic or international transport, standard compensation may not apply.
- Fragile goods without additional protection: Fragile products are accepted subject to suitable protective packaging, but breakage is not covered by the standard policy where the fragile nature or insufficient protection is the cause. Optional insurance is strongly recommended.
- Force majeure: Loss or damage caused by war, natural disasters or other unavoidable events is not covered by the standard compensation policy.
- Shortage or internal damage reported after clean delivery: Claims may be rejected when the shipment was signed for without exception and shortage or concealed internal damage is reported only after receipt.
Safer valuable cargo shipping
Recommended Preparation
Document value
Keep invoices, purchase records and serial numbers.
Reinforce packing
Use internal cushioning, rigid outer cartons or custom crates.
Photograph the cargo
Record the condition before sealing and dispatch.
Request insurance
Confirm coverage before the shipment leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Valuable Cargo and Freight Insurance FAQs
What types of goods are considered valuable cargo?
Examples include mobile phones, computers, jewellery, watches, precision equipment, medical devices, luxury goods, genuine branded merchandise and fragile high-value products.
Is there a minimum value for declaring valuable cargo?
There is no single public minimum for every product. Declare the actual commercial value and cargo nature before booking so ASP Cargo can confirm the handling and insurance requirements.
Does ASP Cargo provide freight insurance in Australia-bound shipments?
Yes. Optional freight insurance can be arranged for eligible shipments from China to Australia by air, courier or sea, subject to the insurer’s approval and policy terms.
How is freight insurance cost calculated?
The cost depends on the declared cargo value, product nature, packing, transport mode, route, coverage and insurer conditions. ASP Cargo provides an individual quotation.
Can you ship fragile, branded and luxury goods?
Yes, subject to product approval, legal and customs compliance, genuine-brand evidence, suitable packaging and any required insurance. Counterfeit and prohibited goods are not accepted.
How are uninsured cargo losses compensated?
Compensation follows ASP Cargo’s standard limits shown on this page. The amount depends on the tracking stage, transport mode and confirmed lost or affected portion. Freight is generally not refunded after tracking begins.
How quickly must I submit a claim?
Submit the claim and available evidence within seven days of delivery, refusal, confirmed loss or damage discovery.
How long does a cargo claim take?
Claims are generally handled within one month after all required documents are complete, although carrier, customs or insurer investigations may extend the review.
What documents are required for a damaged cargo claim?
Normally provide the commercial invoice, packing list, transport tracking record, clear damage and packaging photos, and a refusal or delivery exception receipt when applicable.
Shipping high-value cargo from China?
Request a transport and insurance review before dispatch
Tell us the cargo type, quantity, dimensions, weight, declared value, destination and preferred transport mode.