What to inspect
Gather packing records, carrier acceptance, tracking updates, reception records, and the recipient’s inspection. Avoid treating a label-creation event as proof that the carrier received the parcel.
A practical workflow
Use a chronological table with time zone, event, source, and contact reference. Preserve original tracking exports or screenshots where available. Add later corrections as notes rather than rewriting the initial sequence.
When to pause or proceed
Use the log to identify the next evidence request. If the parcel reached a reception desk but not the buyer, the relevant question differs from a parcel never accepted by the carrier.
Worked example
Imagine tracking shows delivery on one day and the buyer collects from a building desk the next. Recording both events prevents the investigation from treating them as the same handover.
Illustrative scenario, not a customer case or reported event.
Wording you can adapt
Use this for the relevant contact or as a private task note. Replace bracketed fields with accurate details and send sensitive records only through an appropriate secure channel.
Please confirm the handover event shown in this timeline, including the reference, date, and recipient information your process can provide. I am separating direct observations from tracking events and marking gaps rather than inferring contents. Any correction will be added with its source so the original sequence remains traceable.
Your working record
Copy these fields into a private note. For each entry, add the source file or contact, the date checked, and anything still unresolved. Leave unknown information marked unknown; do not guess to complete the sheet.
- Event time and time zoneRecord: __________ · Evidence: __________ · Next action: __________
- Custodian or carrier eventRecord: __________ · Evidence: __________ · Next action: __________
- Supporting recordRecord: __________ · Evidence: __________ · Next action: __________
- Known gap and follow-up ownerRecord: __________ · Evidence: __________ · Next action: __________
This is a recordkeeping aid. It is not a certificate, contract, valuation, or confirmation of insurance cover.
Agree who carries each part of the shipment risk
A shipping quote is only one part of the arrangement. Identify who buys the label, which service carries the parcel, who can submit a claim, and which terms cover the watch on that route. Carrier declared value and a separate insurance policy are different arrangements. Ask for written confirmation that watches of the relevant value are eligible; a label that accepts a large number does not by itself establish coverage.
Keep the packing record, contents list, receipt, tracking history, and delivery evidence in the same file. Link them using the shipment reference without publishing a live tracking number. At each handover, record what you actually observed rather than inferring the contents from an intact outer box. Agree in advance how a discrepancy will be reported so that the recipient is not improvising while a claim or return deadline runs.
Carrier restrictions and insurance conditions can change and may differ between domestic and international shipments. Follow the current written terms for your booking; this guide does not quote a universal insured limit.
Does a custody log prove who caused a loss?
No. It organizes evidence and gaps. Responsibility depends on the facts and relevant agreements, and may require investigation by the carrier, insurer, or authorities.
Sources and scope
The sources below support the general principles for this topic. The workflow and hypothetical example are MyStolenWatch’s practical synthesis; the sources do not endorse this guide or verify a particular watch. Consult current provider terms before acting.
- FedEx: Shipping jewelry and watches
US carrier guidance illustrates packaging and declared-value restrictions. Confirm the contract for your carrier, service, and route.
- FTC: Online shopping
General US guidance on documenting purchases and resolving shopping problems. Remedies vary by country and payment method.
Check a watch serial number
A MyStolenWatch search checks reports held in this database. A no-match result does not certify authenticity, ownership, or an absence of theft elsewhere. Check current pricing before purchasing a search.
Check a watch serial number