May 19, 2026 • 7 minute read
Author: Jessica Denbo Smith, Director, US Marketing, UPS

• Theft, damage, package tampering and supply chain data breaches are common threats for high-value and premium goods shipments.
• Radio frequency identification (RFID) labels provide real-time visibility for premium brand shippers. RFID tags increased by 257% from 2018 to 2024.⁴
• Sensor-enabled asset tracking, as well as proactive package monitoring services, add an extra layer of security.

Shipping premium and high-value goods requires more than speed. From theft and tampering to damage and data exposure, risk can exist across the entire journey. Rohit Bhalla, High-Value Goods Strategic Lead, UPS, explains how luxury goods shippers use discreet packaging, advanced tracking and secure delivery networks to protect products from pickup to final delivery.

“The most common risks are theft, damage, tampering and information leaks.

• Theft: When customers are expecting a valuable package like a necklace, semi-conductor or data center chip and it gets stolen, brand reputation can also become tarnished.
• Damage: If a customer receives a smartphone with a cracked screen, they may not feel confident ordering from that retailer again. Damage doesn’t just cost money. It can also cost trust.
• Tampering: If a customer orders two items from the same jewelry store shipped together in the same package but only one shows up, that’s not just theft; it’s also tampering. Tampering occurs when someone removes part of the package contents and tries to make it look untouched.
• Information leaks: Shipping labels and delivery details can be exposed on the customer end, increasing the risk of last-mile theft. When someone knows what’s coming and where it’s going, intercepting a package becomes easier.

Supply chain data security is a growing concern,¹ especially for small and medium-sized luxury brands. If shipping information isn’t properly protected, it may create an opportunity for bad actors to steal a package. Adequately addressing information security is important for all luxury goods shippers.

As risks continue to threaten high‑value shipments, UPS addresses them with visibility and secure delivery capabilities built for high‑value logistics.”

“Packaging shouldn’t give away the value of the product inside, whether you’re shipping art, a T-shirt or a necklace. When packaging looks distinctive, it becomes more visible and more tempting to steal. Plain, inconspicuous packaging is the first line of defense.

Protection is the next consideration. For items like premium auto parts, proper cushioning is critical. Packaging should absorb shock and protect the product during handling. Materials such as air-bubble filler or rigid hardboard or sealed air can help reduce the risk of damage in transit.

For luxury and premium shippers, hard cases² offer advantages over basic polythene or thermoplastic polyurethane bags. These rigid containers are made from materials such as polycarbonate or reinforced composites. Inside, custom foam, molded inserts or padded interiors cradle the product and keep it secure. The goal is to keep the exterior unremarkable while engineering the interior for protection and tamper resistance.

For shippers that need assistance with identifying the right packaging for their product, the Package Lab Engineers from UPS Customer Solutions offer package testing and design services tailored to each product’s unique needs.”

“In terms of trackability, one of the biggest advancements is radio frequency identification, or RFID. UPS is actively rolling out RFID functionality at scale,³ enabling true end-to-end visibility.

Unlike traditional barcode scans, which occur at specific handoff points, RFID captures package movement automatically as it passes through facilities and vehicles. This reduces blind spots and minimizes reliance on manual scans. These capabilities help create a more reliable chain of custody for high-value shipments.

For RFID-enabled shipments, the moment a driver loads your package into their truck, the pickup is automatically recorded, with near-real-time confirmation that UPS has the package and it’s on its way.

This migration from scanning to sensing will enable the package to be tracked at every stage of the journey—whether it’s at a sorting hub, moving through the middle mile or out for final delivery. This level of visibility creates a clear chain of custody across the entire value chain.

We are actively working with customers of all sizes to enable RFID shipping. In the future, there will be a self-serve capability through programs like UPS^® Digital Connections, customers can access printers that generate RFID-enabled labels, enabling them to apply the technology directly at the point of shipment.

UPS is the first major carrier to roll out RFID at this scale and is committed to providing future proof capabilities that improve our customers experience & strengthens our reliability.

Beyond RFID, shippers rely on other proven tools, such as proof of delivery, including signature requirements, which are common for high-value shipments. RFID doesn’t replace those safeguards; it enhances them.

Together, these tools give shippers a complete picture of custody and control, whether for insurance claims, internal reporting or to give the end customer peace of mind. From internal dashboards or consumer-facing tracking screens, stakeholders can see exactly when a high-value shipment arrives.”

"Shippers can reduce counterfeiting and tampering through a combination of authentication and tamper-evident controls, including:

• Product-specific QR codes: Luxury and premium brands can generate unique QR codes tied to individual products, similar to diamond certification systems. When scanned at delivery, the code confirms the product’s authenticity and verifies it has not been exchanged or compromised in transit.
• Tamper-evident tape: It's good for theft detection and packaging integrity. When the tape is peeled off, a message appears on the package, such as “VOID,” or “OPENED.” It can't be reapplied cleanly without clear signs of tampering. Ongoing research and development is enhancing the tape so it can only be broken with a special tool.⁵
• Asset Tracking Sensors: Sensors in high-value shipments provide added visibility to GPS location, meaning the package location can be seen at all times.

Luxury handbag and electronics brands, pharmaceutical manufacturers and banks and cash-handling services use these measures to prevent undetected package opening, product substitution and in-transit pilferage.”

"There are solutions on the market, such as sensor labels, that monitor temperature and humidity. For most luxury and premium goods, however, that level of climate control and monitoring aren't necessary. Temperature monitoring is far more common for perishable, healthcare or other time- and condition-sensitive shipments.

Sensors can come into play for shipping high-value items like expensive auto parts or precision machinery. In those cases, vibration and humidity sensors⁶ can document shock, movement or environmental exposure during transit. That type of monitoring is typically reserved for aerospace components, transformers or other highly sensitive industrial shipments, rather than everyday luxury goods.

Global positioning system (GPS) tracking through GPS-enabled chips are best suited for extremely high-value shipments. GPS provides continuous visibility, and that level of insight supports true end-to-end tracking from warehouse departure through final delivery.”

"When it comes to securing transportation, the approach starts with foundational controls, including signature required delivery, available through the UPS My Choice^® for Business dashboard. Retailers can opt for signature confirmation, creating documented proof that a package was delivered and received by the intended recipient.

UPS also provides proactive notifications throughout the shipment’s journey. Shippers are alerted when the package reaches a sorting hub, is on the move and is out for last-mile delivery.

This level of real-time visibility helps reduce uncertainty, supports accountability and strengthens shipment security from pickup through final delivery.”

¹ “Luxury Goods Theft Prevention: Essential Security Strategies for High-End Supply Chains,” HaulerHub, October 22, 2025.
² “Hard Cases,” Crating Technology Design and Packaging, Accessed February 6, 2026.
³ “UPS expands RFID deployment to woo shippers, up productivity,” Supply Chain Dive, February 3, 2026.
⁴ “Auburn University RFID Lab,” accessed February 17, 2026.
⁵ “DataLase and TamperTech launch tamper-evident tape,” Labels & Labeling, April 14, 2025.
⁶ “How sensors and IoT in packaging are powering supply chains,” EU Automation Knowledge Hub, August 10, 2025.

Individual results and options will vary. UPS makes no promises of any specific outcome in this document but instead provides only example outcomes based on certain UPS customer experiences.