How to ship a guitar and other instruments internationally

Any true musician will tell you that their instrument is not just a “thing” – it’s an invaluable and irreplaceable part of their creative being. So, when shipping musical instruments – whether on tour or for repair – they want to feel confident they’ll arrive at their destination safely and in perfect condition. And that’s why many turn to DHL Express.

DHL Express has vast experience and expertise in international shipping of musical instruments and large items. They were the official logistics partner of The Rolling Stones’s record-breaking “Unzipped” exhibition, transporting some of the most revered instruments in rock history around the world to be enjoyed by fans from London to Las Vegas. Among them were several of Keith Richards’ and Ronnie Woods’ electric and acoustic guitars and a rare dulcimer (a kind of double lute) played by Brian Jones.

A lot larger in shipping terms and only a little less rock ‘n’ roll is their longstanding customer, Thomann – Europe’s biggest online retailer of musical equipment. Hans Thomann Snr started the business as a sideline to his trumpet-playing in the 1960s, initially selling instruments from his backpack. Thomann has one store in rural Germany, but thanks to e-commerce and DHL Express, the company now ships musical instruments to millions of customers worldwide.

If you want to ship your instrument abroad, choosing a reliable logistics service provider in India is essential. But beyond this, it is also crucial to be mindful of how you pack your instrument for delivery. With this in mind, let’s take inspiration from Ronnie Woods and begin focusing on the guitar…

How to ship a guitar: seven top tips

Generally, the best practices for packing musical instruments can be summarised as follows:

1. Use a strong instrument case in good condition
2. Loosen the strings before packing
3. Use plenty of bubble wrap to minimize movement
4. Choose the right-sized plastic packing crate or box
5. Label every package clearly to avoid loss or mishandling
6. Always insure your instruments
7. Choose a logistics partner in India that offers expedited shipping and full tracking

How to pack and ship a guitar

For more particular musicians, here's a deeper dive into how you can pack your instrument to keep it safe during delivery:

1. Start by de-tuning or slacking your guitar strings to release any tension from the fretboard. Failing to do so can result in the strings snapping in shipment – causing damage or unwanted scratches to the instrument's body.
2. Next, make sure your instrument cases are in good condition. A strong case gives an extra layer of protection inside the packing crate. For maximum security, a top tip recommended by musician Rasmus Bom Andersen, the lead singer with heavy metal stalwarts Diamond Head, is to “Use military grade SKB cases, or, if transporting several instruments internationally, then Enki cases, Scott Dixon, or Quantum industries are the go-to brands for safety."
3. Line the hard case with bubble wrap to cushion the guitar. Thereafter, wrap the entire guitar and its amp in bubble wrap, paying special attention to the neck, which will need extra support. You will also want to put some padding, such as cloth, newspaper or more bubble wrap, between the fretboard and the strings for extra protection before placing the wrapped guitar inside the case.
4. Be sure to fill any gaps with foam padding or polystyrene chips, without which the guitar may be at risk of damage when it moves within the case during transit.
5. Once your guitar is secured in its case, pack the case in an appropriately sized box or crate – one that isn’t too big to minimize movement in transit. DHL Express India recommends using one of our plastic packing crates because they provide great protection for items that are sensitive to temperature – which is particularly true of stringed instruments. Aim for a 6 cm gap between the instrument case and the crate, which you can fill with bubble wrap.
6. Pack all small, loose parts – such as tremolo arms, capos, and so on – separately so they don’t scratch the instrument.
7. Important: Do not use black outer packaging as our automated parcel sorting systems can’t process it, so your shipment will be delayed or returned.
8. Tape the box/crate up securely and place your shipping label clearly on it.
9. Measure and weigh the parcel.
10. Once you’re ready to ship your items, obtain a shipping quote from DHL Express.

How to pack a guitar for shipping without a case

If you do not have a case to contain your guitar, we recommend sourcing a strong cardboard box that is robust enough to travel through transit. Otherwise, many guitar sites in India sell guitar shipping boxes, which you can consider.

How to pack a guitar amp for shipping

If you are also shipping a guitar amp, an astro-pack foam is ideal for protecting your amplifier as it is lightweight, non-abrasive, and absorbs shocks. You will want to wrap the amp in the material and secure it with packing tape before wrapping several layers of bubble wrap for extra protection. Afterwards, you can place the wrapped amp in a strong cardboard box with plenty of padding, such as polystyrene chips, to prevent movement during transit. Place a “This Way Up” sticker on the outside and a shipping label.

How much does it cost to ship a guitar?

When it comes to shipping bulky items like musical instruments, the cost is often another key concern. At DHL Express, we understand the importance of keeping delivery fees reasonable without compromising on service reliability. We offer highly competitive prices for shipping guitars and other musical instruments in India and internationally. Get a quick quote from us today.

FAQs

Is it okay to ship a guitar in cold weather?

Many stringed instruments, including the guitar, are constructed from real wood, which can be vulnerable to extremely hot or cold climates. Fortunately, DHL Express is experienced in transporting fragile items in temperature-controlled environments, so you can be sure your instrument will arrive in perfect condition.

How can I be sure the guitar is packed securely enough?

Do the shake test. Take the guitar case and give it a shake. If it is securely packed and ready for transport, you shouldn’t be able to hear or feel anything rattling loosely.

Should you loosen guitar strings before shipping?

Yes, always.

How to ship other musical instruments

Stringed instruments

One of the most important things when transporting guitars, violins, double-bass, cellos, mandolins or any other stringed instrument abroad is to loosen the strings before packing. This is because the temperature may fluctuate during the journey, meaning the strings could tighten up and snap.

Shipping drums

Most drums don’t have cases, so it’s best to cover them in several layers of bubble wrap before putting them into the packing box or crate. You’ll need the right-sized box for each one, so there isn’t too much room for movement.

If you’re sending more than one drum, you can remove the heads and hoops of the big drums and nest the small ones inside, along with crumpled newspaper or cloth as padding. Thereafter, replace the heads and tape them securely. We recommend using a separate bag for small parts.

If you’re sending a whole drum kit, you’ll need to break it down, remove the legs and take the rack to stand apart. Wrap the rack tom parts and place them inside the kick drum, filling in the gaps with crumpled newspaper so they don’t move around.

Brass instruments

As trumpets, trombones, horns, tubas, and other brass instruments are many different parts, it’s best to dismantle them and wrap each part separately. We suggest covering and taping each part with plenty of bubble wrap as protection before putting them directly into the packing crate, including their cases wrapped independently.

Wind instruments

Wind instruments such as flutes, clarinets, saxophones and oboes can be packed in their cases. You can cover both musical instruments inside the case and the case itself in bubble wrap for protection and shock absorption, taping it securely. If you’re shipping instruments without a case internationally, you can keep them protected during transit by wrapping them in at least three layers of bubble wrap before they go into the packing crate.

Always insure your instruments

That said, you can never be too careful. To that end, DHL Express offers free cover up to a certain value as standard (depending on your country of origin and destination), and this can easily be upgraded if your instrument exceeds this value. And for extra peace of mind, DHL Express also fully tracks your international shipments to its destination.

Don’t forget the batteries

If your musical instrument and/or accessories contain batteries, and you’re shipping them across the border, you must be aware of certain regulations. Some batteries will be classified as Dangerous Goods – the transportation of these is a risk when they are not correctly packed or handled. Check out our guide to shipping batteries internationally to ensure your shipment gets to where it needs to be safely and on time.

If the Rolling Stones – AKA The Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band in the World – trust us with their priceless, historic instruments, perhaps you should too. Because many musical instruments are fragile, the less time they spend in transit, the better, which is where our expedited delivery option is a perfect fit. Get in touch or open a business account with us today to get started.