Proof of value is the documentation that helps show what the damaged item was worth. For a UPS damage claim, this is usually one of the most important parts of the packet because photos show damage, but proof of value supports the amount you are asking to recover.
The best proof is specific, readable, and tied to the exact item. If one document does not tell the whole story, combine several documents and label them clearly.
Prepare your evidence while you read
Use the free packet builder to organize photos, proof of value, tracking details, and a clean PDF preview before you file.
Open the checklistBest proof-of-value examples
UPS gives invoice documentation as a common example of supporting evidence for the value of lost or damaged merchandise. In practice, the strongest proof depends on how the item was purchased and what type of item it is.
- Retail receipt showing item name, price, date, and seller.
- Seller invoice or manufacturer invoice.
- Marketplace order confirmation with item, price, and payment status.
- Repair estimate for damaged electronics, furniture, appliances, or specialty goods.
- Appraisal for jewelry, collectibles, art, antiques, or one-of-one items.
- Expense statement when the item was bought through a business account.
What a good document should show
A proof-of-value document should answer four questions: What was the item, who sold it, when was it purchased, and what did it cost? If the document does not show the item clearly, pair it with another document that does.
For example, a credit-card transaction alone may show a charge amount but not the item. Pair it with an order confirmation or invoice that lists the product.
- Item name or item description.
- Brand, model, serial number, size, color, or quantity if available.
- Purchase price or declared value.
- Seller or vendor name.
- Purchase date or order date.
- Payment confirmation when available.
Examples by item type
Different items need different supporting details. A simple receipt may be enough for a common household item, while a collectible may need an appraisal or marketplace sale record.
- Electronics: invoice, serial number, model number, repair estimate, and product listing if the invoice is vague.
- Furniture: receipt, photos of the item before shipment if available, repair estimate, and dimensions.
- Glass or fragile items: receipt, order page, replacement quote, and photos of broken pieces with packaging.
- Collectibles: appraisal, auction record, marketplace sale page, certificate of authenticity, and purchase record.
- Business inventory: supplier invoice, SKU list, quantity, and wholesale or retail value support.
Common proof-of-value mistakes
The most common mistake is uploading a document that is technically true but not useful enough. A reviewer should not have to guess which line item matches the damaged item or whether the payment actually went through.
If a document has private information, redact only what is unrelated. Do not cover item name, date, price, seller, or payment status.
- Uploading only a bank charge with no item detail.
- Cropping out the item name or purchase price.
- Sending a product listing with no proof that you bought it.
- Using a replacement item price without explaining why it matches the damaged item.
- Forgetting to include quantity when multiple items were in one shipment.
How to organize proof of value
Use a simple naming pattern and reference the file in your packet preview. If your claim includes multiple items, add a short note explaining how each proof-of-value document maps to each item.
For multi-item shipments, a small table can help: item, quantity, value per unit, total value, and proof file name.
- receipt-original-purchase.pdf
- order-confirmation-with-payment.pdf
- repair-estimate-screen.pdf
- appraisal-collectible.pdf
- proof-of-value-summary.pdf
Official sources used
Build your claim packet
Turn this checklist into a structured UPS damage claim packet with photo slots, proof-of-value notes, missing-evidence warnings, and a local PDF export.
Start the packet builder