The S.W.A.T. team doesn't normally greet UPS cargo shipments in Ontario, Calif., a regional hub for the world's largest shipping company.

But this was no ordinary shipment. This was precious cargo —- priceless really —- originally meant to protect Chinese Emperor Qin when he was buried in 209-210 B.C.

But this week, it was UPS that protected the cargo —- known as the terra cotta army —- as it traveled from Shanghai to Anchorage, Alaska (where it cleared customs), then to Ontario.

The UPS Foundation agreed to ship the warriors for free to four U.S. museums over the next two years. The deal was struck by Atlanta's High Museum, UPS spokesman Norman Black said. The High will display the warriors from November through April.

UPS didn't crate the statues (only museum curators could do that), but the shipper took extra care in using extra strong straps in the Boeing 747-400 cargo plane, then transferring the cargo to a tractor-trailer with "air ride" suspension to protect it from any bumps in the road, UPS spokesman Dan McMackin said. "Obviously one error could be problematic," McMackin said.

It was on the airport's grounds that the S.W.A.T. team sprang into action as the cargo went to Santa Ana's Bowers Museum. Police cars surrounded the truckload, and a police helicopter flew overhead.