Valuable Cargo (VAL) Shipping by Air

Unicore uses the IATA definition that airlines publish in their conditions of carriage: VAL cargo is any consignment with a declared value for carriage of USD 1,000 or more per gross kilogram, or one that contains gold or platinum in bullion and other listed forms, banknotes, traveller's cheques, securities or stamps, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, opals or real pearls, jewellery made from them, or jewellery and watches made of gold, silver or platinum. VAL is the IATA special handling code for it, and airlines then handle the shipment as valuables, for example with vault storage and an escort to and from the aircraft.

Unicore books valuable cargo with airlines that handle VAL under their own security rules: the shipment is kept in a vault or strongroom, escorted to and from the aircraft and flown only on the booked and confirmed flights. Each airline adds its own conditions, such as Finnair Cargo's 50 kg limit per piece and its ban on truck legs, or IAG Cargo's cut-off of 180 to 300 minutes before departure, so we check the carrier's current rules before every booking.

To ship valuables by air with Unicore, send us the commodity, declared value, number of pieces, weight and dimensions, and we check them against the airline's VAL rules before quoting. We then book confirmed space on every sector (Finnair Cargo and Icelandair Cargo ask for booking at least 24 hours before departure), agree sealed, tamper-evident packing with no marks that reveal the contents, issue the air waybill with the VAL code, clear customs in Riga and arrange cargo insurance for the full value.

Only partly, which is why Unicore arranges separate cargo insurance for high-value air freight: under the Montreal Convention the airline's liability is 26 SDR per kilogram (since 28 December 2024), so a 10 kg parcel of watches is capped at 260 SDR, whatever the watches are worth. The shipper can raise the limit by declaring a value for carriage when handing the cargo over and paying the airline's supplementary sum, but the airline still has defences such as defective packing by someone other than the carrier, and damage must be reported to it in writing within 14 days of receipt.

Unicore books goods as VAL when they meet the IATA valuable cargo definition and as VUN (vulnerable cargo) when they are theft-prone but below it, such as computer or telecom equipment declared at less than USD 1,000 per gross kilogram. Finnair Cargo, for example, keeps VAL in a vault with an escort and a 50 kg limit per piece, while VUN has no weight limit and is stored under surveillance or with restricted access.

The chain-of-custody for valuable cargo is extremely secure. For certain high-value shipments, cargo can be delivered directly to the aircraft apron in secured armored trucks. Every handover point is documented, and dual-signature verification is required at each stage. The cargo remains under constant surveillance from the moment it's accepted until final delivery.

Responsibility transfers at clearly defined points. The freight forwarder is responsible during collection and airport delivery. Once the cargo is officially handed over to the airline with signed documentation, the airline assumes full responsibility for the shipment until it reaches the destination handler. At destination, responsibility transfers to the local handling agent until final delivery to the consignee.

Airport facilities for valuable cargo include: reinforced safes and strong rooms, limited personnel access with biometric controls, 24/7 security guards and CCTV monitoring. All valuable cargo is handled using the four-eye principle - meaning at least two authorized personnel must be present for any handling. All loading documents and checklists are always signed by two persons.

Before starting work at any cargo facility handling valuables, each employee undergoes thorough security screening including criminal background checks and reference verification. All personnel complete specialized training courses in handling valuable cargo. Additionally, handling agents undergo regular audits by airlines to ensure continued compliance with security standards.

Procedures vary slightly by airline, but the standard process is: all valuable shipments, once received and security screened, are placed in secure airport safes. For transport purposes, valuables are placed in sealed security containers or boxes. These containers have tamper-evident seals and are only opened at designated security checkpoints. Any broken seal must be reported immediately.

Live GPS tracking devices require batteries to operate, and some battery types are classified as dangerous goods for air transport. Therefore, real-time GPS tracking for valuables follows the same system as general cargo. However, we offer eTracking 24/7 via web and mobile app with personalized login and selectable proactive notifications. You can monitor your shipment status at every milestone.

Basic packaging requirements are similar to general cargo - sturdy, secure, and appropriate for the contents. However, many airlines use additional secure transport packaging for valuables. This includes tamper-evident seals, impact-resistant containers, and discreet outer packaging that doesn't reveal the high-value nature of contents. Some items may require climate-controlled packaging.

During flight, valuable cargo is stored in Unit Load Devices (ULDs) or in specified secure compartments in the aircraft bulk hold. These areas are inaccessible during flight and monitored. Valuables are typically loaded last and unloaded first to minimize ground handling time and exposure risk.

Most valuable cargo follows standard customs procedures similar to general cargo. The main exception is cash and currency, which has specific declaration requirements and limits. Customs authorities may require detailed valuation documentation for high-value items. The shipper and freight forwarder have full cargo information, while airline and handling agents work with limited details for security purposes.

Yes, we offer comprehensive cargo insurance including all-risk coverage specifically designed for valuable cargo. Standard carrier liability is limited to a fixed amount per kilogram under the Montreal Convention, which is often insufficient for high-value items. We strongly recommend additional cargo insurance for all valuable shipments to ensure full value protection.

Both. Valuable cargo can be transported on passenger aircraft (in the belly hold) or on dedicated freighter aircraft. The choice depends on route availability, volume, and specific security requirements. Some extremely high-value or sensitive shipments may be restricted to cargo-only aircraft for additional security.

When combined with airline express services, valuable cargo handling times are significantly shorter than standard freight. Priority handling ensures faster security screening and loading. However, due to enhanced security procedures, we recommend earlier booking and delivery to the airport. Typical transit times are similar to express air freight: 24-72 hours for most global destinations.