What is the best way to ship a guitar to Canada?

[archtopjazz]

I have a fedex acct so was hoping to use them.
Is this more expensive than X-country?
Lot's more paperwork?

 

[tamader74]

You've got to use USPS or the shipping price will make you kill the deal...any other way gets into tariffs, ridiculous shipping prices, etc., Trust me, and the paperwork at the Post office is pretty easy and straight forward. Tom

 

[Steve73]

The problem with UPS and Fedex for us Canadians is the Customs brokerage fees. They are crazy high, as much as 50% I've heard on some items.

USPS has size restrictions and insurance limits, but they are still the best option for shipping from the US for us guys up north.

 

[krall]

USPS has size restrictions and insurance limits, but they are still the best option for shipping from the US for us guys up north.

Yup.

 

[DCFanatic]

Second vote for USPS. Last year I paid $60 to UPS to accept a set of pickups...brutal brokerage fees!!

and thats on top of the $20 I paid for shipping

 

[Tiki Love God]

Make sure it is well packed inside the case and outer carton. I have seen lots of guitars broken because someone dit not think to stop the guitar bouncing around it's hard case. Use old t-shirts or towels, bubble wrap. try moving the guitar inside the case if it can be moved so that the headstock touches the top of the case then when it's dropped it will hit there and there is a chance that the neck will break. Then inside the master carton make sure that it is protected front and back, top and bottom. Try to avoid using the small polystyrene fillers as everything sinks down through them. If you need to use them put twisted pieces of newspaper in as this helps keep them in place.

I can't advise which courier to use but always think of the one that offers the best cover, otherwise it is a nighmare when the guitar arrives broken. Take a few photo's while packing as well as the insurers always look for an excuse not to pay out.

 

[archtopjazz]

Thanks for all the help.

 

[xxvga]

UPS charges some rediculous brokerage fees. I dont think it's 50% but their rates are published on their site and certainly increase with the value of the shipment.

USPS has no such charges, however I have been told that the insurance through USPS can be very limited and or prohibitively expensive, where as UPS insurance can be included for cheap.

....I'm in Canada and brokerage fees suck. Nobody has ever complained to me about the paperwork involved, i think it's minimal.

 

[KindaFuzzy]

I will not buy something from the states unless it's shipped USPS, that's the way to go.