For jewellery retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers in Canada, transporting high-value goods between provinces or across borders can be a vulnerable point in your supply chain. Criminals know that shipments in motion can be more exposed than merchandise secured inside a display case or vault. Focusing on in-store theft prevention is important, but don’t forget to consider the risks associated with moving product while using courier and mail services to get your product to the customer.

Risk in motion

Jewellery in transit is an appealing target. Packages are out of your control, often transferred between multiple handlers, stored in warehouses, and possibly left in delivery vehicles. Losses during transport are not on top of everyone’s list, but they happen more frequently than you might think. When it happens, it can have a higher impact both in terms of financial cost and reputational damage. The assumption that you haven’t really had a problem with it yet, so it’s something to put on the back burner, may cost you more than you anticipate. According to Overhaul, 85 per cent of significant cargo theft occurs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and it’s irrelevant where your shipment is going to or from, so if it’s transiting through the GTA, you have something to consider.

Establish shipping protocols

Good transit security starts in-house. Every business that ships valuable goods should maintain formal, written procedures for how shipments are prepared, verified, and documented. Verbal handoffs and informal routines may feel efficient, but they leave your business vulnerable to both loss and insurance denial. Your shipping protocol should include:

• Clear chain-of-custody forms, signed at each handling stage
• Standardized packing checklists to ensure consistency
• Dual-verification of inventory before sealing packages
• Inventory numbers or descriptions logged for each item shipped

Training matters here. Staff who are responsible for preparing or receiving shipments should know what procedures to follow and why each step exists. If your business receives high-value returns or inter-store transfers, apply the same level of care to incoming items.

Confidentiality in transit

Discretion is a powerful form of protection. Packaging that hints at valuable contents, whether through branding, labelling, or overly specific customs declarations, can make your shipment a target. However, shipping items into the United States may require this type of specificity. Consider working with your courier’s broker service to utilize the Harmonized System codes for outer paperwork instead of descriptive labels. Consider the following steps to reduce visibility:

• Avoid jewellery-related terms on any outward-facing label or form
• Use generic business names and neutral return addresses (if possible).
• Do not use branded packaging that draws attention
• When possible, limit declared shipment value to insurance paperwork only

Some businesses even use a ‘double envelope’ strategy, where identifying information is included only on an inner package that is sealed inside an unmarked outer box.

Choosing the right courier and service level

Even when using a well-known shipping company, the protection your shipment receives depends on the service level you select. For example, basic ground shipping may have minimal tracking, no chain of custody documentation, and limited insurance coverage. Higher-tier services often offer benefits like:

• Real-time package scanning at every transfer point
• Restricted access sorting facilities
• Guaranteed delivery times that reduce dwell time in depots
• Adult signature requirements

If your shipping volume or value justifies it, consider speaking with your courier’s account representative to better understand their high-value shipment procedures. In some cases, you may also be able to pre-select routes or delivery schedules that reduce exposure.

Packaging is important

The physical packaging of a high-value shipment should do three things: protect, conceal, and reveal tampering. Even if a package is intercepted, the goal is to delay access or make the theft immediately obvious.
Best practices include:

• Double-boxing shipments to add an extra layer of separation
• Using tamper-evident security tape or seals
• Padding or void fill to prevent movement and sound
• Photographing the sealed package prior to hand-off

These steps protect the item and serve as documentation in the event of a dispute with the courier, customer, or insurer.

Inbound is important, too

Shipments coming into your business are just as vulnerable as those going out. Treat inbound logistics with the same seriousness:

• Inspect all packages for damage or signs of tampering before signing
• Take photos upon arrival, both unopened and after opening
• Cross-check contents against packing slips and internal records
• Log and report any inconsistencies immediately

If something doesn’t feel right, such as resealed tape or a damaged label, escalate the concern before accepting the delivery outright.

When to consider going specialized

Traditional courier services may not be sufficient in some situations. For ultra-high-value shipments, consider specialized secure transport providers. While more expensive, they often offer direct routing and a continuous chain of custody. This is often a worthwhile investment for wholesale lots, interprovincial transfers of rare items, or time-sensitive exhibition pieces.

Transit may be the least visible part of your operation, but it is exposed to security breaches. Strong internal procedures, confidentiality in packaging, appropriate courier selection, and staff training all work together to reduce risk. No shipping method is perfect, but a smart, layered approach significantly lowers your vulnerability. When you ship like it matters, you’re not just protecting product, you’re protecting your reputation, your insurance coverage, and your peace of mind. 

Scott is a security advisor and independent security consultant with Jewellers Vigilance Canada. He retired with over 28 years of experience in law enforcement, having spent the last 15 years investigating organized crime on a national and international level. He is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) with ASIS Int’l and an Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) with DRI Int’l.

Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC) is a non-profit subsidiary of the Canadian Jewellers Association with a mandate “to advance loss prevention within the jewellery industry.” JVC also works closely with law enforcement agencies in Canada through their Crime Prevention Program. For more information, visit www.jewellerycrimecanada.ca.