As an e-merchant based in Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana or La Réunion, your logistics reality is unique. You don't just sell a product, you master the art of shipping over long distances, with challenges that sellers in mainland France are unaware of. In this ecosystem, insuring your parcels is not an option, it's a pillar of your profitability.
Yet the apparent simplicity of basic offers like Colissimo Recommandé is a trap. It exposes you to major financial risks hidden behind derisory Limits and complex exclusions. This article is your expert guide to navigating this complexity and choosing prudence and profitability over the long term.
Why is Insurance more Critical in Overseas France?
Without denigrating the quality of the infrastructure, shipping from overseas involves objective logistical challenges that increase the risks for your parcels:
- Multiple Breakpoints: A parcel may pass through local hubs, maritime transport, then air sorting centers before reaching its destination, multiplying handling.
- Climatic conditions: Humidity and heat can affect certain products and packaging over long transport periods.
- Administrative complexity: Even flows to mainland France involve controls and processes that can lengthen lead times and increase the risk of disputes.
Faced with these challenges, it would be a strategic mistake to settle for basic compensation alone.
The Basic Solution: Registered Colissimo Insurance
La Poste's standard offer for securing your shipments is the "Recommendation" option, which comes in several levels (R1, R2, R3). It offers flat-rate compensation in the event of loss or damage.
Overseas Colissimo Registered rates
| Recommendation level |
Additional cost |
Maximum lump-sum compensation |
| Basic compensation (by weight) |
Included |
~23 € / kg |
| Recommendation R1 |
+ 2,90 € |
50 € |
| R2 recommendation |
+ 4,40 € |
200 € |
| Recommendation R3 |
+ 6,40 € |
450 € |
The verdict is clear: with a maximum Limit of €450, this solution is totally unsuitable for any e-tailer selling higher-value products.
The Customs Trap
A crucial point that is often misunderstood: carriers' basic insurance policies do not generally cover claims arising from customs blockage or loss. The reason is simple: a blockage is most often due to a declaratory error on the part of the shipper, or non-payment of duties and taxes by the consignee. No insurance covers these cases. An expert solution like Claisy, however, protects you if the parcel is lost or damaged in transit through the customs clearance center. This is a fundamental difference.
Strategic Comparison: The Basic Offer vs. The Pro Solution
For a professional, the choice does not come down to the price of insurance, but to the total cost of risk.
Overseas insurance comparison
| Colissimo Registered |
Chronopost Ad Valorem |
| Limit Indemnity |
450 € maximum |
Up to €5,000 |
Up to €100,000 and over |
| Cost per €500 of value |
Impossible to cover |
~6,10 € |
~3.75 (based on 0.75%) |
| Customs coverage |
No |
No |
Yes (if lost/damaged in customs transit) |
| Pro verdict |
Very limited use |
Expensive, many exclusions |
The expert, cost-effective solution |
The Course of a Litigation: 77 Days of Loss
The true cost of inadequate insurance is revealed in the event of a dispute. The average 77-day claim period with a traditional carrier is an eternity, and it's taking a toll on your cash flow and your customer's satisfaction.
The Refund Process
Carrier process
1
Declaration of Dispute
Sending documents, complex forms.
2
Interminable Analysis & Investigation
The carrier investigates, which can take weeks.
3
Decision & Validation
After numerous reminders, a decision is (perhaps) made.
⏳
Payment
Average lead time: 77 days
Claisy process
1
Online Declaration
Just a few clicks and you're ready to send your receipts.
2
Expert analysis
Our team of experts will analyze your file within 48 hours.
3
Validation & Transfer
A clear decision is communicated to you, and the transfer is initiated.
✓
Cash Preserved
Your money is back in less than 7 days.
Your Essential Pre-Shipment Checklist
To help you make the right decision with every shipment, here's the checklist every overseas e-business should use.
Checklist before shipping from overseas
✓
Have I checked the Indemnity Limit ?
Does the basic compensation cover the sale value of my product? If not, Ad Valorem insurance is essential.
✓
Is my product on an exclusion list?
Have I checked the terms and conditions of sale to ensure that high-tech, luxury or special products are covered?
✓
Have I prepared my customs documents correctly?
Are my declarations (CN22/CN23) complete and accurate enough to avoid a blockage?
✓
Can my company absorb a 77-day delay?
Do I have the cash flow to ship a product and wait more than two months for an uncertain refund?
❓ FAQ : Parcel insurance from overseas
🤔 Is a shipment from Martinique to Guadeloupe considered "International"?
No, flows between the DROMs are generally subject to the same regimes as flows to mainland France. However, the logistical risks associated with multiple transshipments remain the same.
📱 I ship refurbished phones from Reunion Island. What is the best option?
Electronic and reconditioned products are often excluded from basic insurance coverage. This is a typical case where specialized insurance like Claisy becomes essential to secure your business.
📄 What documents should I provide in the event of a dispute?
Always have proof of sale (customer invoice), proof of parcel delivery, and pre-shipment photos of the product and packaging ready. A complete file is the key to speeding up any procedure.
Send the Quiet Spirit
Your geographical location is a strength, not a constraint. Don't let inadequate insurance hinder your growth. By choosing a solution designed for professionals, you're not just protecting your parcels: you're protecting your margins, your time and your customers' trust.
Switch to insurance that works for you.
Protect the true value of your shipments with insurance that has no absurd limits, covers products that carriers exclude, and reimburses you in days, not months.
⚡️
Compensation within 48 hours
No more 77-day wait. Recover your funds and send them back to your customer without impacting your cash flow.
🛡️
Limits up to €100k
Insure your products at their true retail value, including high-tech and luxury items often excluded elsewhere.
✅
1-click integration
Connect your CMS (Shopify, etc.) and automate 100% of your protection. Simple, transparent and effortless.
