Shipping a bass internationally.

[Donal OMaol]

Hi all,

I'm looking to ship my beloved Sandberg California TM4 from Canada to Ireland. I've been quoted upto 800 cad in shipping. This is my first time shipping an instrument but the cost seems astronomically high. Do I have another option or am I going to have to suck up the cost?

Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[beaglesandbass]

Have you contacted multiple companies? That seems steep.

Also have you tried detaching the neck to ship it in a smaller box?

 

[GoLeafsGo]

For a lot less that that, you could buy it it's own seat on a regular flight.

 

[NMTB]

Transporting it as excess baggage with an airline passenger might be a cheaper option. If you or someone you know isn't flying there, I believe there are companies who arrange freight this way.

Might be worth researching and considering, anyway.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Transporting it as excess baggage with an airline passenger might be a cheaper option. If you or someone you know isn't flying there, I believe there are companies who arrange freight this way.

^^^commercial air freight should be cheaper than excess baggage on a passenger flight, unless it winds up being smaller and lighter than a typical suitcase ...which pretty much rules out any flight case that you would want to use to ship your bass across the Atlantic!

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Hi all,

I'm looking to ship my beloved Sandberg California TM4 from Canada to Ireland. I've been quoted upto 800 cad in shipping. This is my first time shipping an instrument but the cost seems astronomically high. Do I have another option or am I going to have to suck up the cost?

Any advice is much appreciated!

I spent about $400 to send a bass to Spain a few years ago. It was air mail, one week via Canada Post. It was about $100~ to send it via boat. Bear in mind that boat takes a month+ and offers no tracking. If you are sending it via boat, best not to accept Paypal. I have always used bank wire transfers when dealing internationally (outside of the US.) For some reason, Americans run in terror if you mention a bank transfer but everywhere else in the world uses it all the time. Additionally, if you ship with a courier they will saddle you with additionaly charges once the bass arrives. Canada Post will be a little more up front but a lot less when it's all said and done.

If you are shipping this as a way to save on a move, I would highly recommend taking the bass apart and bringing it with you.

 

[TolerancEJ]

For a lot less that that, you could buy it it's own seat on a regular flight.

That's a much better idea! Plan a vacation to Ireland. Maybe the airfare is cheaper. Bring the bass instead of luggage and meet up with the buyer.

 

[Pilgrim]

That's a much better idea! Plan a vacation to Ireland. Maybe the airfare is cheaper. Bring the bass instead of luggage and meet up with the buyer.

That would make a great excuse for a vacation, wouldn't it??