How High-Value Cargo Insurance Works

Declared Value Coverage

You declare the value of your shipment, and a cargo policy covers it up to that value against loss, damage, theft, and mishandling. Premiums depend on the insurer, the goods type and the destination. JLog’s own goods-in-transit insurance is in place; details on request.

All-Risk Cargo Insurance

Unlike standard courier liability, all-risk insurance covers:

• Physical damage — Breakage, denting, scratching, warping
• Loss in transit — Goods missing, misdirected, or never received
• Theft — Theft during collection, transit, or delivery
• Mishandling — Dropped shipments, improper storage, crushing under load
• Environmental damage — Water damage, exposure to weather (where applicable)

The Claims Process

When goods are damaged or lost, insurers usually ask for proof of value, the waybill or delivery note, and a record of the damage, such as photos or a condition report. Note any damage on the delivery note at handover. Details of JLog’s goods-in-transit cover are available on request.

Goods That Need Proper Cover

These are the goods where a proper transit policy matters most:

Artwork & Fine Art

Original paintings, sculptures, limited-edition prints, canvas works, and framed art. Whether you’re a gallery shipping to a collector or an artist sending work for an exhibition, we recommend your own fine-art (or all-risk) policy for high-value pieces; we declare the value on the export paperwork.

Designer & Antique Furniture

Bespoke pieces, designer imports, handcrafted furniture, and antiques. A single chair can be worth R30,000–R100,000+. A sofa R80,000. Damage in transit is unacceptable. Insurance protects your inventory.

Ceramics, Glassware & Fragile Homeware

Handmade pottery, fine glassware, decorative ceramics, and artisanal homeware items. These goods are irreplaceable. If they break, you can’t simply reorder. Insurance is essential for studio owners and retailers.

Jewellery & Watches

Fine jewellery, designer watches, beaded pieces, and precious metal items. High value, small footprint, and easily lost or stolen. Declared value insurance is standard in the jewellery trade.

Professional Equipment

Photography gear, sound equipment, production tools, and specialized machinery. When you’re hiring equipment out or transporting it between shoots, insurance covers loss and damage.

Personal Effects for Relocating Expats

You’re moving overseas. Your household goods, art collection, and personal belongings need to reach your new country safely. Check that your policy covers the whole journey, door to door.

E-commerce Stock & Fulfilment

If you’re an e-commerce brand shipping high-value items—luxury goods, artisan products, premium homeware—check that your policy covers the stock in transit to customers.

International Cargo Insurance — Marine & Air Freight

For goods leaving South Africa by sea or air, the insurance considerations are different. International shipments face longer transit times, multiple handling points, and different risk profiles.

Marine Cargo Insurance (Sea Freight)

When artwork or furniture travels by container ship, marine cargo insurance covers the voyage. This is standard in the art world. JLog arranges sea freight through international freight forwarders. Marine policies are usually written on Institute Cargo Clauses A (all-risk), B (broad-risk), or C (basic coverage); your insurer confirms which applies to your goods and destination.

Air Cargo Insurance

Air freight is faster but higher risk if packing isn’t right. Air cargo insurance covers loss, damage, and mishandling. For fragile items or high-value goods, it’s the only sensible choice.

The Responsibility Question

Here’s what most international shippers get wrong: the destination country doesn’t arrange insurance. You do. As the shipper, you’re responsible for arranging declared value cover for the entire journey. For high-value pieces we recommend your own fine-art (or all-risk) policy; we declare the value on the export paperwork.

Where JLog Fits In

JLog’s goods-in-transit insurance is in place; details on request. For high-value goods we recommend your own fine-art (or all-risk) policy through your broker; we declare the value on the export paperwork.