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Shipping my basses - thoughts please?

Graham Hewison

Graham Hewison

Mar 11, 2008
13
32
Vermont USA
#1
Hey all - so it looks like I may be relocating (back) to the UK ... a logistical nightmare but what’s keeping me awake nights are my babies - ranging from a ‘62 Violin to ‘65 Rick 4005 with a couple of P’s and J’s and White Falcon thrown in for good measure. I don’t feel that I can just stick them into an ocean-going container with all the other stuff ... can I? I can’t take them on the plane with me .... anyone have any experience/advice?? It’d be much appreciated!
 
#6
40Hz said:
This. A thousand times this.

If you’re not up on what it’s about you’ll need to do some reading and get some professional shipping advice if you don’t want to run the risk of getting any instrument containing rosewood or certain other woods confiscated by customs when it arrives in the UK.
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So from what I know/read ... pre 2017 instruments are exempt if you travel with them ... I may have to keep coming back.
 
#9
I moved back and forth across the ocean a few times - container should be fine as long as the basses are packed up well (I'm thinking in gig bags or cases then packed securely in appropriate boxes with bubble wrap). As long as all of the contents are packed properly in the container (tight so no movement) its probably the safest way to ship. Any other way (airplane, FedEx/DHL, etc) means handling by persons other than yourself which is where damage is most likely to occur.
 
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#10
Graham Hewison said:
Hey all - so it looks like I may be relocating (back) to the UK ... a logistical nightmare but what’s keeping me awake nights are my babies - ranging from a ‘62 Violin to ‘65 Rick 4005 with a couple of P’s and J’s and White Falcon thrown in for good measure. I don’t feel that I can just stick them into an ocean-going container with all the other stuff ... can I? I can’t take them on the plane with me .... anyone have any experience/advice?? It’d be much appreciated!
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Why don't you ship them to me? :D
 
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#12
Make sure that each instrument is locked in its case and that each case is securely wrapped in plastic to keep all outside air out of each case. Then place the plastic wrapped case in a carton and identify. You should be able to get shipping cartons from your local music store.

Good luck with your move.

TD
 
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#13
Just ship them to me, or better yet, I'll come pick them up from you. No more worries about shipping them, or CITES, or anything else, really. :thumbsup:

If you really do need them to end up in old Blighty with you, the Rick may be an issue due to the bubinga fingerboard (you'll need the proper CITES required documents, most likely); the Fenders will be a no-go if they have BRW fingerboards (at least, the necks won't be leaving the USA).
 
#15
Jeff Scott said:
If you really do need them to end up in old Blighty with you, the Rick may be an issue due to the bubinga fingerboard (you'll need the proper CITES required documents, most likely); the Fenders will be a no-go if they have BRW fingerboards (at least, the necks won't be leaving the USA).
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There's a way around this BUT they can't be shipped, they have to be brought in personally, with a CITES passport for each and every one of them. At least that's my understanding.

Good luck with the move.
 
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#18
Graham Hewison said:
Hey all - so it looks like I may be relocating (back) to the UK ... a logistical nightmare but what’s keeping me awake nights are my babies - ranging from a ‘62 Violin to ‘65 Rick 4005 with a couple of P’s and J’s and White Falcon thrown in for good measure. I don’t feel that I can just stick them into an ocean-going container with all the other stuff ... can I? I can’t take them on the plane with me .... anyone have any experience/advice?? It’d be much appreciated!
Click to expand...

Wish ever rout you choose first be sure to look into the endangered woods laws ! (before anything!) as customs could and most likely confiscate any instrument($) that are made with endangered wood such as some cocoabolla and many more on the endangered wood species list! good luck on your move and shipping your axes !
 

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