Since FedEx acquired TNT Express in 2016 (10 years ago now), the parcel insurance landscape for these two networks has gradually converged. However, differences remain, particularly in Europe, where TNT retains a strong historical presence. For French professionals, understanding these nuances is essential to effectively protect their shipments.
Key context: In 2024, 1.5 billion parcels were delivered in France (Ministry of Economy). According to Metapack, 1 in 143 parcels received no tracking updates for more than 5 business days in the last four months of 2024—the operational definition of a "potentially lost" shipment. At the European level, these losses cost retailers €540 million in that quarter alone (Metapack, November 2025).
These figures would already be worrying if FedEx reimbursed quickly and in full. This is not what its terms and conditions provide for.
Without additional insurance, the Montreal Convention caps FedEx's liability at ~22 SDR per kilogram, or €26.97 per kg at the February 2026 exchange rate. For a 200 g smartphone worth €1,000, the maximum compensation without insurance is €5.80— or 0.58% of the actual value.
With more than 15 million packages shipped daily worldwide by FedEx, this article provides a comprehensive and objective analysis of FedEx and TNT insurance solutions: mechanisms, FedEx insurance rates, TNT insurance rates, Limits , claims procedures, and an overview of market alternatives.
💡 Additional resources: Check out our comprehensive comparison of 2026 carrier parcel insurance policies and our hub listing Ad Valorem insurance solutions for an overview.
Part 1: FedEx Parcel Insurance Explained
The Fundamental Mechanism: Understanding "Declared Value"
Important note: FedEx does not offer "insurance" in the traditional sense, but rather an extension of liability called "Declared Value."
Two Levels of Protection
1. Standard Liability (Included)
Without additional declaration, each FedEx package is covered by limited basic coverage :
- FedEx Express International: $100 or 22 SDR/kg (~€28/kg)
- FedEx Ground (US): $100
- FedEx Europe: Varies depending on service (usually €100)
*SDR = Special Drawing Rights, the IMF's currency unit
Concrete example: For a 2 kg laptop worth €1,500, with no additional value declared, the maximum compensation would be $100 (~€92), or 6% of the actual value.
Source: FedEx Service Guide
2. Higher Declared Value (Paid Option)
This option allows you to increase FedEx's liability limit up to the value you declare, within the Limits .
FedEx Insurance Rate 2026: Structure and Calculation
Standard Price List & Examples of Concrete Calculations
According to FedEx insurance pricing terms, the cost of declared value is calculated as follows:
📊 Analysis: The effective rate fluctuates between 1.2% and 1.5% of the value, slightly above the market average (0.8-1.2%).
Limits : The Achilles Heel of FedEx Ad Valorem Insurance
This is where the main limitation for professionals lies.
Limits
Services & Limits
- FedEx International Priority: $50,000
- FedEx International Economy: $50,000
- FedEx Envelopes/Paks: $500 ⚠️
- FedEx Ground (US): $50,000
Limits Specific Goods
⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: Certain categories are subject to a Limit of $1,000 (~€920), regardless of their actual value:
Categories concerned:
- Jewelry, precious stones, precious metals
- Watches (all categories)
- Works of art, antiques, collectibles
- Fur
- Plasma screens and high-definition TVs
- Certain high-end electronic equipment
Case study: You ship a luxury watch worth €8,000. Even if you declare this value and pay the corresponding insurance (~$120), your maximum compensation will be $1,000 (~€920), or 11.5% of the actual value.
Source: FedEx Service & Insurance Terms and Conditions
Exclusions and Prohibited Items from FedEx Parcel Insurance
Beyond the Limits, certain goods are completely excluded from compensation or prohibited from shipment:
Completely excluded:
- Cash, checks, credit cards
- Securities, stocks, bonds
- Irreplaceable manuscripts
- Unprocessed hides and furs
- Live plants and seeds
Prohibited for shipping:
- Hazardous materials (unless otherwise agreed)
- Firearms and ammunition (except under strict conditions)
- Live animals
- Narcotics and illegal substances
FedEx Insurance Claims Procedure: Step-by-Step Guide
Critical Timeline
Mandatory deadlines to be met:
- Damaged Package: 7 days after delivery (domestic) / 21 days (international)
- Lost parcels: After 7 days of delay (domestic) / 21 days (international)
- Maximum claim period: 9 months after the date of shipment
⏰ Important: After these deadlines, FedEx may refuse the claim without reviewing the case.
Required Documents
Mandatory checklist:
- ✅ FedEx claim form (available online)
- ✅ Copy of the shipping document (Air Waybill)
- ✅ Proof of original value (purchase invoice, delivery note)
- ✅ Sales invoice to the end customer
- ✅ Detailed photos:
- Damaged product (all angles)
- Inner and outer packaging
- Labels and complete package
- ✅ Findings report (if applicable)
Investigation Process
Typical steps:
- Submission: Online submission via the FedEx portal
- Acknowledgment of receipt: Within 24-48 hours with file number
- Investigation : 10-30 days on average
- Verification of the declaration of value
- Packaging analysis (standards met?)
- Survey of the hub concerned
- Decision: Acceptance, rejection, or request for additional information
- Compensation: 7-15 days after acceptance
📊 Statistics observed (internal study of 150 cases):
- 52%: Accepted on first attempt
- 28%: Rejected (non-compliant packaging, insufficient evidence)
- 20%: Additional information requested
Average total time: 45-60 days from filing to payment.
Strengths and Weaknesses of FedEx Insurance
✅ Recognized Benefits
1. Leading Global Network
- Coverage in over 220 countries
- Robust infrastructure and real-time traceability
- Recognized logistics expertise
2. Ease of Integration
- Direct declaration when creating a label
- No separate insurance contract
- Unified transport + protection interface
3. Limits for Standard Goods
- $50,000 covers most business shipments
- Suitable for B2B and spare parts
4. Digitalized Process
- 100% online claims
- Tracking of the file via a dedicated portal
⚠️ Critical Limitations
1. Limits
- $1,000 for luxury and high-tech: Not suitable for these sectors
- It is impossible to bypass this restriction.
2. Cost Higher than Market Value
- Rate of 1.5% vs. 0.8-1.2% among competitors
- No volume-based sliding scale
3. Compensation Deadlines
- 45-60 days on average vs. 24-72 hours for modern solutions
- Significant cash flow impact
4. Procedural Strictness
- Packaging: strict FedEx standards (double cardboard box, padding, etc.)
- Proof: original invoices required
- High risk of refusal (28% in our study)
Part 2: TNT Insurance Analyzed
Background: TNT in the FedEx Ecosystem
Since the 2016 acquisition, TNT Express has been operating under the FedEx banner but retains:
- Its brand and network in Europe
- Its specific commercial terms and conditions
- A separate Ad Valorem insurance offer
In 2026, the operational merger continues, but the two systems still coexist, particularly in France, where TNT remains the benchmark for intra-European shipments.
TNT Parcel Insurance Mechanism
TNT offers standard Ad Valorem insurance that covers the intrinsic value of goods beyond basic liability.
Standard TNT Liability
Without additional insurance, TNT applies the following liability limits depending on the country:
- Within France: €23/kg
- Intra-Europe: 22 SDR/kg (~€28)
- International: According to the Warsaw Convention
Example: A 3 kg package containing €900 worth of goods would only be compensated up to €69-84 without insurance.
TNT Insurance Rates 2026
FedEx Parcel Insurance Price Structure & Comparative Examples: TNT vs FedEx
According to TNT Express insurance terms and conditions for France:
📊 Analysis: TNT is more advantageous for shipments costing ~€500 or more, but the minimum charge of €5 penalizes small shipments.
Limits Exclusions of TNT Insurance
Limits
Limits services:
- TNT Express: $50,000
- TNT Economy Express: $25,000
- TNT 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m.: $50,000
On the plus side: TNT does NOT apply a Limit of €1,000 for luxury goods and watches (unlike FedEx).
Specific Exclusions
Completely excluded:
- Precious metals in ingots
- Cash and foreign currency
- Loose gemstones
- Works of art valued at over €10,000 (unless otherwise agreed)
- High-value antiques
Restrictions:
- Jewelry and watches: Coverage possible but secure packaging required
- Electronics: Original packaging strongly recommended
TNT Complaint Procedure
Strict Deadlines
Mandatory deadlines to be met:
- Reporting visible damage: 7 days after delivery
- Hidden damage claim: 14 days after delivery
- Loss report: 28 days after shipping date
- Absolute limit: 9 months
Required Documents
Complete file:
- TNT claim form
- Original shipping slip
- Commercial invoice (purchase + sale)
- HD photos of the damage
- Certificate of value (if >€5,000)
- Expert report (if >$10,000)
Typical Timeline
Process observed:
- D-0: Online declaration
- D+3: Acknowledgment of receipt
- D+15 to D+30: Investigation
- D+30 to D+45: Decision
- D+45 to D+60: Payment
Average delivery time: 50-70 days (slightly longer than FedEx).
Strengths and Weaknesses TNT Parcel Insurance
✅ Advantages
1. Preserved Luxury Coverage
- No Limit ,000 Limit like FedEx
- Suitable for the watchmaking/jewelry sector
2. Competitive Price (Average Value)
- 1.2% vs. 1.5% FedEx
- 20% savings on large volumes
3. Dense European Network
- Excellence in intra-European flows
- Fast turnaround times France/Germany/UK
⚠️ Limitations
1. Long Compensation Delays
- 50-70 days on average
- Same cash flow issues as FedEx
2. Demanding Documentation
- Packaging: strict standards
- Evidence: originals required
3. Limits Service
- €25,000 for Economy (vs €50,000 for Express)
Part 3: Comparison and Alternatives to FedEx Insurance
Head-to-Head: FedEx vs. TNT
Recommended Use Cases
Choose FedEx if:
- ✅ International shipments outside Europe
- ✅ Marchandises standard <1 000$
- ✅ Need for maximum traceability
- ✅ Volumes faibles (<50 colis/mois)
Choose TNT if:
- ✅ Dominant intra-European flows
- ✅ Shipping of watches/jewelry (>$1,000)
- ✅ Average values (€1,000–10,000)
- ✅ Price sensitivity (large volumes)
Overview of Ad Valorem Alternatives
Beyond FedEx and TNT, the market offers specialized delivery insurance solutions that address the limitations identified.
1. Traditional Transport Insurers
Players: AXA Logistics, Allianz Cargo, Groupama Transport
Advantages:
- Custom cover
- Limits
- Expertise in complex claims
Disadvantages:
- Separate subscription (annual contract)
- Heavy administrative burden
- Similar timeframes (30-60 days)
2. Modern E-commerce Solutions (+Focus Claisy)
Actors: Claisy, Route, Shipsurance
Advantages:
- Ultra-fast compensation: 24-72 hours
- CMS integration (Claisy Webhook for Shopify, Claisy Webhook for WooCommerce, Claisy Module for Prestashop)
- Without excluding luxury/high-tech
- Simplified declaration
- Multi-carrier compatible
Disadvantages:
- New players (less track record)
- Sometimes geographically limited
Focus on Claisy:
- Commercial warranty (not insurance)
- Rate: 0.5-1% depending on risk profile
- Compensation: 72 hours forcompensation
- Insurance for all your belongings up to €100,000, even luxury items
- Process: 3 clicks, zero paper
📊 Full comparison: Check out our detailed analysis of Claisy vs. Shipsurance vs. Route ad valorem offers.
3. Self-Insurance
Principle: Set aside an internal fund to cover claims.
Suitable if:
- Volume >500 packages/month
- Sinistralité <0,5%
- Strong cash position
Simplified calculation:
- If you ship 1,000 packages per month with an average value of $500
- With a loss ratio of 0.8%: 8 claims/month = €4,000
- Provision: €5,000-6,000/month (cushion)
- vs Insurance: €6,000/month (1.2% of €500,000)
Comprehensive Comparison Table for Parcel Insurance
Conclusion: Choose your parcel insurance strategically, not reactively.
FedEx insurance and TNT insurance are neither perfect nor unsuitable: they meet specific needs, particularly forCarrier companiesCarrier predictable flows and compatible product types.
Their strengths:
- Native integration
- Global network (FedEx) or efficient European network (TNT)
- Digitized processes
Their limitations:
- Limits (FedEx luxury)
- Long compensation delays (45-70 days)
- Cost above market price (1.2-1.5%)
Today, the question is no longer "Should I insure?" but "Which solution optimizes my cost/protection/agility ratio?"
Our Recommendation
Hybrid approach:
- Analyze your logistics claims over 12 months (number of claims, values, causes)
- Segment your feeds :
- Standard products:
- For small volumes & excluding exclusions: Carrier Insurance
- For large volumes: Specialized Solution
- High value: Specialized solution
- Very large volumes: an analysis must be carried out based on margin levels and price standard deviation => our recommendation is a hybrid solution - The analysis will enable us to determinethe optimal level of partial self-insurance.
- Standard products:
- Try an alternative for 3 months atthe same time
- Measure the impact: Refund time, acceptance rate, total cost
Parcel delivery insurance is not an expense but an investment in operational peace of mind and customer satisfaction. Choose the one that protects not only your parcels, but also your cash flow and growth.
Appendices FedEx/TNT Parcel Insurance
Legal and Regulatory Aspects
Applicable Legal Framework
French Commercial Code (Article L133-1): "The Carrier liable for loss and damage to the items being transported, " but this liability may be limited by contract.
International conventions:
- Warsaw Convention (1929): International air transport
- Montreal Convention (1999): Modern revision, limit of 22 SDR/kg
- CMR (1956): International road transport (Europe)
Sources: ICAO, Legifrance
Sources and Resources
Official Documentation
- FedEx Service Guide
- FedEx Declared Value Policy
- TNT Express Insurance
- Montreal Convention - ICAO
- Commercial Code - Legifrance