So you need to get your guitar from one place to another.
Short of driving it there yourself, the safest way is to use a reputable courier and to make sure they take all necessary precautions.
But that’s not going to be cheap, right?
Actually you’d be surprised. It costs a lot less to ship a guitar than you might expect, given the size, the unusual shape, and the somewhat fragile nature of the instrument.
Obviously, the cost differs greatly depending on the size and weight of the package, the destination, and the shipping method used. Let’s take a closer look and find out how much you can expect to pay to ship your guitar.
Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Guitar?
Generally speaking, shipping a guitar in a gig bag or soft case can cost you less than a hundred bucks. Shipping guitars in hard shell cases can from $50 to $200, and in some cases, even more.
However, before you choose to ship your guitar in a gig bag, because it saves you money, you should know that some major shipping companies suggest that guitars should always be shipped in a hard case for more protection, and never in a bag.
If you do not have a case, or even a bag, or you don’t want to pay the additional shipping, it is possible to ship your guitar without a case. We do not recommend it, but if you do it, just make sure it is packed and padded very well. Even better, pack it in one box, then pack and pad that box inside a larger box, for double the protection.
Cost Estimates From Different Shipping Companies
Shipping companies and couriers are not new to guitar shipment. Here, we have listed the most common ones so we can compare how much it costs to ship a guitar within the US.
Electric guitars are always heavier than acoustic, so prices will be higher for those. Electric baritone guitars are usually a bit heavier still, due to their longer scale length.
DHL
DHL may not be as popular as other courier companies in the US, but it’s good to have a lot of choices, right? And there’s a reason they are huge overseas.
In fact, a lot of music stores use DHL as their courier to ship out their guitars. They prefer DHL primarily because of its international shipping service and express shipping options.
However, if you are sending your guitar from one state to another in the US, DHL online shipping calculator won’t work, because it only allows shipping from the US to other countries and vice versa.
But, for the sake of estimates, let us try some examples. For instance, say we are shipping a guitar from New York to Toronto, Canada.
Let’s assume that the dimension of the guitar case we’re sending is 44″ (length) x 15″ (width) x 5″ (height) and that the total weight is 30 lbs.
The shipping quote is: $203.36
For this quote, the pick-up was scheduled for August 10, 2020 and the expected delivery date is August 13, at the latest. This shipping quote from DHL includes, electronic proof of delivery in real-time, tracking and tracing, and door to door express shipping. Please note that this shipping estimate does not include an additional declared value for the carriage.
FedEx
FedEx is a popular and well-known shipping company specializing in important parcels, other personal items, and musical instruments.
Using the same weight and dimensions from our previous shipping cost calculation, the quotes we got from FedEx Shipping Calculator are as follows:
Within The US
- Dimensions: 44″ (length) x 15″ (width) x 5″ (height)
- Weight: 30 lbs
- Shipment Date: August 10
- From: New York
- To: Texas
US Domestic Guitar Shipping Rates From FedEx
- FedEx Ground: $52.15 (End of day delivery August 13, 2020)
- FedEx Express Saver: $125.85 (Delivery by 4:30 PM, August 13, 2020)
- FedEx 2Day: $186.65 (Delivery by 4:30 PM, August 12, 2020)
- FedEx 2Day AM: $213.98 (Delivery by 10:30 AM, August 12, 2020)
- FedEx Standard Overnight®: $249.16 (Delivery by 3:30 PM, August 11, 2020)
- FedEx Priority Overnight®: $255.43(Delivery by 10:30 AM, August 11, 2020)
- FedEx First Overnight®: $287.60(Delivery by 08:30 AM, August 11, 2020)
From the US To Canada
- Dimensions: 44″ (length) x 15″ (width) x 5″ (height)
- Weight: 30 lbs
- Shipment Date: August 10
- From: Texas
- To: Toronto
US To Canada Guitar Shipping Rates From FedEx
- FedEx International Ground®: $61.38 (End of day delivery August 13, 2020)
- FedEx International Economy®: $272.79 (Delivery by 05:00 PM, August 12, 2020)
- FedEx International Priority®: $346.48 (Delivery by 01:30 PM, August 11, 2020)
These shipping rates also do not include a declared value for carriage. If you prefer to declare how much your instrument costs, you can purchase a higher limit of liability for your shipment. This means that you can choose to declare the value of the guitar for carriage in case of damage, loss or delay during the transfer, subject to the company’s terms and conditions.
UPS
UPS is probably the most trusted courier service in the US and Canada. In fact, the majority of musical instrument stores use UPS to send online guitar purchases.
For a sample calculation, we can use the same criteria we used above.
Within The US
- Dimensions: 44″ (length) x 15″ (width) x 5″ (height)
- Weight: 30 lbs
- Shipment Date: August 10
- From: New York
- To: Texas
US Domestic Guitar Shipping Rates From UPS
- UPS Ground: 54.90 USD (Delivered by the end of Day Thursday, August 13, 2020)
- UPS 3 Day Select®: 112.02 USD (Delivered by the end of Day Thursday August 13, 2020)
- UPS 2nd Day Air®: 179.35 USD (Delivered by the end of Day Wednesday, August 12, 2020)
- UPS Next Day Air Saver®: 245.56 USD (Delivered By End of Day Tuesday, August 11, 2020)
- UPS Next Day Air®: 248.75 USD (Delivered By 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 11, 2020)
- UPS Next Day Air® Early: 279.95 USD (Delivered By 8:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 11, 2020)
These rate come from the UPS Shipping Calculator and exclude Value Added Tax (VAT), but include a fuel surcharge, duties, taxes, and other charges that may apply to the shipment. Also, keep in mind that rates may vary between retail locations.
What Is The Cheapest Way To Ship A Guitar?
The cheapest way to ship a guitar (or any parcel or package) is to use your local public post office. Private shipping companies cost more because they have their own shipping lines and additional services.
Additional Questions
What Additional Materials Should I use To Ship A Guitar ?
Besides your hardshell case, here are other materials that you might want to use to ship your guitar.
- Bubble Wrap Cushions: a 12 inch by 200 ft long roll of bubble wrap costs between $16.88 (Walmart) and $26.90 (Amazon).
- Soft Padding Or Foam Cushion: a 3/32 in x 12 in x 50 ft foam cushion can cost you around $10.48 (Home Depot).
Does The Shipping Cost Include Insurance?
As previously mentioned, package insurance is an option. Most couriers and shipping companies offer it for an additional cost and will require you to declare the value of your instrument.
Is It Safe To Ship A Guitar?
Generally, it is safe to ship a guitar. However, accidents can happen. For that reason, we do generally recommend insuring your shipment just in case.
Are Guitar Shipping Services Any Good?
Guitar shipping services specialize in transporting guitars and they handle everything for you. But this obviously comes at a cost. If you have a valuable instrument, a guitar shipping service would be a good idea. For most shipments, it’s probably not worth the extra cost.
If you do decide to go with a specialized shipping company, make sure you do a little research into that company. You want to make sure they have a track record of being reliable and trustworthy.
The same goes for any courier service, really. Even for the biggest names like FedEx and UPS.
Our advice is for you to read online reviews and forum threads because even if the courier company is well-known or popular, the specific branch or courier location serving you might not be. Search for local courier rankings, feedback, and ratings submitted by the people in your area, especially recent comments, to check in advance what to expect from the service.
Can I Mail A Guitar In Its Case?
Yes, you can ship your guitar in its case, but (there is a big BUT here), there will be less protection. The thing is, getting the right shipment box is just as crucial as preparing and packing the instrument in its case.
When shipping a guitar, you want to make sure to pack it securely. Use padding inside the case, and between the case and the shipping box. to provide an additional layer of protection for your beloved instrument. Bubble wrap or foam padding is excellent for this purpose.
General Tips For Shipping A Guitar
Here are some tips and tricks for shipping a guitar safely. Although you can never assure 100% safe shipment, these guidelines can increase the odds of safe delivery of your guitar.
- Always use a hardshell guitar case
- Pack the guitar inside the guitar case properly
- Put additional wrapping around the case before shoving it inside the shipping box
- Loosen the strings or use padding under the strings
- Wrap the headstock with newspaper
- Use newspaper to wrap the fretboard as well
- Fill the case with bubble wrap or other padding and make sure that the guitar can not move or shift inside
- Talk to the courier and ask them to add “Fragile” or “Please Handle With Care” stickers on your package, to remind them not to place your shipment under heavier boxes
Additional Considerations When Shipping A Guitar Internationally
If you are shipping from one country to another, remember to get shipment quotes from multiple shipping providers. Having a lot of options ensures that you know the best rates, among other things.
Cost Of Shipping a Guitar: Final Thoughts
From everything discussed above, it is evident that the main factors that affect how much a guitar shipment costs are the dimensions, the destination, and the weight of the package.
Overall, ground shipping can cost as low as $50 and can go as high as to $300 or more. Weigh the options carefully and choose the one that is right for you. Just make sure you do not risk damaging your guitar in an attempt to cut costs as much as possible. It’s usually worth paying a bit more to ship a larger and heavier package if it means your instrument is better protected.
Leave a Reply