A system and method for arranging shipment and insurance for items being shipped in containers with memory devices. An intelligent shipping agent may receive a request to ship an item. The intelligent shipping agent may search a database or solicit quotations to obtain shipping and insurance services for an item to be shipped from an origination to a final destination. The intelligent agent may find an entry in the database or may select a vendor based on received quotations. The selection may maximize value of a product or service at the lowest cost. The memory device may store shipping and insurance information related to the item being shipped in a data file. The memory device may include input devices and sensors to gather and store information before, during and after shipment.