Does VAL classification cost extra?

Often yes, given the additional security handling involved — confirm the specific surcharge, if any, with the operating carrier at booking rather than assuming it's included in the standard rate.

If my shipment is VAL-classified, do I still need cargo insurance?

Very likely yes, if you want the shipment's full value protected — VAL handling reduces physical risk but doesn't increase the carrier's liability limit under the Montreal Convention. See our cargo insurance basics guide for how that gap is typically covered.

Does every gems and jewellery shipment automatically get VAL handling?

Only if its declared value crosses the specific carrier's threshold — a small, lower-value gems shipment may not trigger VAL classification at all. Confirm this per shipment rather than assuming the commodity category alone determines it.

Air Freight Fundamentals

Valuable Cargo (VAL) Handling

High-value shipments get a distinct handling category with its own security procedures — separate from, though often paired with, a declared value for carriage claim.

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VAL

IATA cargo handling code for valuable cargo

Carrier-specific threshold

Value/kg trigger, no fixed universal figure

Secure storage

Typical handling requirement

Distinct from

Declared value for carriage and cargo insurance

A handling category, not a liability or pricing mechanism

Valuable cargo (VAL) is an IATA cargo handling code triggering enhanced security procedures — secure storage areas at the cargo terminal, restricted access, and often escorted handling between storage and the aircraft. It's assigned based on the shipment's declared value exceeding a threshold, but that threshold isn't a single fixed industry-wide figure — it varies by carrier and sometimes by route, so confirm the specific carrier's VAL threshold rather than assuming a universal number.

VAL classification affects how the cargo is physically handled and secured at the airport — it doesn't by itself change the carrier's Montreal Convention liability limit (see our Montreal Convention guide) or provide insurance coverage. Those are separate mechanisms that a high-value shipment often needs alongside VAL handling, not instead of it.

Gems, jewellery, and precious metals are the most common VAL-classified commodities on this corridor, though any sufficiently high-value shipment of any commodity can trigger VAL handling if it crosses the relevant carrier's threshold.

Distinction to Confirm

VAL handling, declared value for carriage, and cargo insurance are three separate mechanisms — confirm which ones actually apply to your shipment

A shipment can be VAL-classified for security handling purposes while still carrying only the standard Montreal Convention liability cap unless declared value or a separate insurance policy is arranged. Don't assume VAL classification alone protects the shipment's full value.

General industry practice regarding IATA cargo handling codes. Confirm the specific carrier's VAL threshold and procedures directly, since no single published figure applies universally across carriers.

Worked example

A worked example: a gems shipment triggering VAL handling

Take a gems and jewellery shipment from Mumbai whose declared value crosses the operating carrier's VAL threshold.

UAL confirms the carrier's specific VAL threshold and procedures ahead of tender, since not every carrier handles VAL cargo identically — some require advance notice, specific packaging, or restrict which flights can carry VAL cargo at all.

Separately from arranging VAL handling itself, UAL confirms with the shipper whether declared value for carriage or a separate cargo insurance policy is in place to actually protect the shipment's full value in the event of loss — VAL handling reduces the risk of theft or mishandling, it doesn't by itself change what the shipper can recover if something still goes wrong.

What UAL confirms for VAL shipments

We confirm the specific carrier's VAL threshold and handling procedure ahead of tender, and separately flag whether declared value for carriage or cargo insurance is the right protection mechanism for the shipment's actual value.

Carrier-specific VAL procedure coordination

Declared value and insurance guidance at booking

Frequently asked questions

No — the threshold is set by each carrier individually and can vary by route. Confirm the specific carrier's threshold rather than assuming a fixed figure applies across every booking.

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Montreal Convention: Carrier Liability and Claims Basics

Cargo Insurance Basics for Freight Forwarders

Known Consignor Status and Cargo Security Screening

General industry practice regarding IATA VAL cargo handling codes. Last verified July 2026.