Can I Ship Coins & Currency in the U.S.?

Currency is a common item sent via shipping networks every day. You’ve likely heard the phrase, “The check is in the mail” at least one point in your life! However, shipping other monetary units such as coins in the United States is a murky topic. Some carriers specifically exclude coins from entering their networks, and most third-party insurance companies won’t provide coverage for these types of shipments. Whether you’re a collector or sending a few stray quarters, this guide is all about the proper way to send coins in the U.S. and the best way to secure insurance coverage for these shipments.

Table of Contents

• Which Carriers Allow You to Ship Coins in the United States?
• Use Registered Mail with the U.S. Postal Service for Sending Coins
• What About Sending Cash?

Which Carriers Allow You to Ship Coins in the United States?

USPS is the only carrier in the U.S. that will allow you to send coins throughout its network. The other major carriers—FedEx and UPS—won’t allow you to send coins with any of their shipping services. FedEx confirms this on its website, and the UPS website also includes “bank bills, notes or currency” on its list of prohibited items. Coins fall under the “currency” label, and UPS therefore won’t accept them. So, your only option is to ship with USPS!

Use Registered Mail with the U.S. Postal Service to Ship Coins

USPS advises sending any currency and coins via Registered Mail, since this service provides insurance coverage for shipments up to $50,000. Registered Mail is the most secure service that the Postal Service offers, with USPS establishing a chain of custody that protects your letter or parcel throughout each step of its journey.

For coin parcels worth less than $100, you can opt for a more basic shipping service such as Priority Mail or USPS Ground Advantage. Ground Advantage service includes up to $100 in insurance, and Priority Mail comes with $50 of insurance at the Post Office (Priority Mail insurance gets bumped up to $100 when you use online shipping software to buy discounted labels).

If you opt for a more basic USPS service other than Registered Mail, you should consider adding Signature Confirmation to your package. This gives you another layer of security to ensure that your shipment makes it to the correct destination. In fact, most companies dealing in collectible coins require you to purchase Signature Confirmation if you use Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express when sending them your items.

Most Third-Party Insurance Companies Won’t Provide Coverage for Coins

Protecting your packages with shipping insurance is always a good idea, especially for packages containing currency that can inherently hold high values. However, most third-party shipping insurance companies specifically exclude coins (other than collectibles). This is another reason why USPS suggests Registered Mail for shipping coins, since this service provides coverage for parcels for up to $50,000.

What About Sending Cash?

While USPS doesn’t prohibit sending cash as the other major carriers in the U.S. do, the agency advises certain alternatives that are more secure. Instead of sending bills, you can opt to send money via a personal or certified check or money order. USPS suggests these methods because these services are traceable, and you can put a stop payment on a check if your parcel doesn’t arrive at its destination (hey, it happens sometimes!).