Declared Value is a comprehensive postal service, not an insurance option added to a shipment. Delivery and coverage for the value you declare are combined into a single service, which includes approved packaging, drop-off at the counter, and delivery requiring a signature. It is this structure—much more than its price—that determines whether it is right for your business.
This guide explains how Declared Value works, the distinction between domestic and international shipments—which most articles confuse—its operational limitations, and the situations in which a professional shipper would be better off insuring their shipments differently. For the insurance option included with Colissimo shipments, which is a separate program, see our Colissimo insurance guide.
What Is La Poste's Declared Value?
This is a service offered as part of the universal postal service catalog. Specifically, you declare the value of the contents of your shipment at the post office, and the rate you pay covers both shipping and insurance for that value, up to a limit of Limit.
Three features set it apart from traditional insurance. Coverage is included in the price of the service; it is not billed separately. Claims are filed in person at the time of drop-off, not through a back-office system. And the service requires a specific procedure, from packaging to delivery to the recipient.
As part of the universal service, “Declared Value” is a regulated service available to both individuals and businesses. This explains its positioning: a service designed primarily for the occasional shipment of valuable items, with the accompanying traceability guarantees.
Two distinct offerings that are often confused
This is the most common mistake in articles on this topic, and it has real-world consequences if you base your budget on it.
La Poste’s universal service catalog lists “Valeur Déclarée” and “International Valeur Déclarée” separately. These are two distinct services, each with its own rate schedules and Limits ; the international cap also varies depending on the destination country.
In practice, most online resources publish the international rate schedule by region while noting that it also applies to domestic shipments. If you're shipping to France, make sure the rate schedule you're referring to is indeed the one for domestic shipments.
How much does it cost to send a Declared Value parcel?
The rate consists of two components: the shipping charge, which is based on weight and already includes coverage, and a supplemental insurance fee billed in increments of €100 for amounts exceeding the covered amount.
Two observations—and they go against intuition.
First: the supplemental insurance is inexpensive. At €0.45 per €100, the rate comes out to 0.45% of the value—significantly less than market-based ad valorem coverage. If you look only at the insurance line item, the Declared Value is competitive.
Second: it’s not the insurance that’s expensive—it’s the shipping. A 500-gram package costs €36.69 to ship, and a 2-kilogram parcel costs €51.80—and that’s before any additional charges. For a 500-gram parcel insured for €1,000, the insurance costs just a few euros, while shipping costs nearly forty.
In other words, Declared Value is not an expensive insurance product; it is a premium shipping service that includes insurance. The appropriate comparison, therefore, is not with the rate for an ad valorem option, but with the total cost of an international shipment that is tracked, delivered with a signature, and insured for the same amount. And in that context, the issue becomes one of the service provided, not the rate.
Finally, please note that Zones 1 and 2 have the same rate on this rate schedule, and that the amounts listed apply to the "Individuals in Metropolitan France" rate. A business account may be subject to different terms and conditions.
Operational constraints
This is the point that the pricing tables don't show, and it's the one that determines whether the service is usable in your organization.
Let’s take the most burdensome requirement: drop-off at the counter. This means that no Declared Value shipment can be sent from an on-site pickup location, a drop-off point, or a locker. For a merchant who ships ten high-value parcels per week, this means a trip to the counter and a wait each time—amounting to several hours per month that aren’t reflected in any rate schedule.
Approved packaging has the same effect. You cannot use your usual packaging, which you purchase in bulk and have customized for your products. You must purchase and stock a specific secure envelope, sold separately by La Poste.
Finally, “Declared Value” is a service offered exclusively by La Poste. It does not apply to your other carriers. If you work with multiple carriers depending on the destination or parcel size, this service covers only a portion of your shipments, leaving you to manage the rest through other means.
How to Prepare a Declared Value Shipment, Step by Step
The procedure consists of six steps, and each one can invalidate the coverage if not performed correctly.
Determine the value to be reported. It must correspond to the actual value of the goods, as evidenced by an invoice. Underreporting the value will automatically reduce your compensation; overreporting it will not result in compensation exceeding the actual loss incurred.
Obtain the approved packaging. The secure envelope for “Declared Value” is available at post offices and on laposte.fr. Make sure to stock up in advance—this is the one thing that sends unprepared senders back home from the counter.
Pack the goods. Padding and protection must comply with the recommendations. In the event of damage, the packaging is inspected, and this is the primary reason for rejection in the event of any dispute regarding the value of the goods.
Include the required information. The weight and declared value must be indicated on the mailing, along with the conversion to SDRs for international shipments. The SDR is the International Monetary Fund’s unit of account, used as a reference in postal agreements. Its exchange rate fluctuates daily, and La Poste provides a conversion tool.
Drop off at the counter. No other method is accepted. Allow for processing time, which is the real variable for a regular shipper.
Keep all supporting documents. These include a time-stamped proof of filing, the purchase invoice, the sales invoice to the end customer, and photographs of the packaging before it was sealed. The burden of proof rests with the sender, and an incomplete file will be rejected before the merits of the case are even considered.
Declared Value or Colissimo Ad Valorem Option?
The La Poste Group offers two services that are similar but not identical, and many senders sign up for one thinking they are getting the other.
"Declared Value" is a comprehensive shipping service. You purchase an end-to-end service at a rate that includes coverage. It is part of the universal postal service, is purchased at the counter, and specifies the packaging and delivery method.
The Ad Valorem option is an additional liability coverage add-on for Colissimo shipments. You purchase shipping service and then add coverage. It is selected when you create the shipping label, without changing your drop-off process, and is capped at €1,000 under the standard rate schedule or €5,000 under a Colissimo Entreprise contract.
Three factors distinguish the two options. First, the target coverage level: for amounts exceeding €1,000 at the public rate, the “Declared Value” option is the one offered by La Poste. Second, the operational requirements: Ad Valorem does not change anything about your drop-off, whereas Declared Value requires you to use a service counter and approved packaging. Finally, the destination: Ad Valorem is available for all destinations, while Declared Value distinguishes between domestic and international shipments, with varying caps depending on the country.
The logic behind this is simple: “Valeur Déclarée” is used for high-value shipments, while “Ad Valorem” is used for standard shipments under cap. The deciding factor, therefore, is not so much the amount as the method of shipment.
For Which Profiles Is the Declared Value Still Relevant?
Let's just say it: there are real-world use cases, and they're not just a niche phenomenon.
- High-value, one-time shipments. A one-of-a-kind item, an irreplaceable document, or a costly return for customer service. Dropping off a single item at the counter is no problem, and enhanced tracking is a definite advantage.
- The need for proof of delivery. Systematic delivery against signature creates a legally binding record, which is useful in the event of a dispute over receipt.
- The occasional shipper without a back office. No contract to negotiate, no technical integration—just a quick stop at the post office.
- One-time international shipping of high-value items. The international service covers a wide range of destinations, with a limit that vary depending on the destination.
Conversely, as soon as the frequency increases, the calculation changes. It is not the unit price that is the problem, but rather the operational time and the inability to automate the process.
Rates for Individuals and Contract Terms
One point deserves attention for professional shippers: the Declared Value schedule mentioned above applies to the rates for individual customers in metropolitan France, effective as of April 7, 2026. Contract accounts may be subject to different terms and conditions; please check with your sales representative before running a simulation.
The same caution applies to caps: the maximum declared value and the level of coverage included in the shipping rate are specified in the specific terms and conditions of sale in effect on the date of shipment, not in the public rate schedule.
What Is Not Covered
Three situations are excluded from coverage, regardless of the amount reported.
Non-compliant packaging is the first issue. The Declared Value requires an approved secure envelope or packaging that meets the specific terms of sale. A shipment presented in other packaging may be refused at the counter, or its coverage may be invalidated in the event of a claim.
Prohibited or restricted goods are listed below. Cash, securities, and certain categories of items are excluded under the general terms and conditions. Paying an additional premium for insurance on an excluded item does not provide any coverage.
Finally, there is the issue of late delivery, which falls under a separate set of rules and does not entitle the recipient to compensation equal to the value of the merchandise. And as with any postal compensation, sentimental value is not taken into account: only the verifiable market value is considered.
La Poste Declared Value FAQ
Sources
- La Poste Universal Service Catalog, as of July 10, 2026, “Declared Value” and “International Declared Value” services.
- laposte.fr, product page: Secure Envelope for Declared Value, accessed in October 2026.
- laposte.fr, pages titled “Assurance colis" and “Vos objets de valeur expédiés en toute sérénité,” accessed in October 2026.
- claisy.com, pages on Ad Valorem Protection, Integrations, and the Claisy Resolution Center, accessed in October 2026.