I have a MTS case in good shape, which barely fits the horn's large bell. Have thought about doing a sea freight, but it's kind of scary
. Would the best way still be flying with it as an oversized luggage?Thanks, in advance!
How to ship a tuba aboard
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hermanstanford
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How to ship a tuba aboard
Hi TubeNeters. I am going to do a major move from the SF Bay Area to Hong Kong after having finished my grad school degree. Now it comes the problem of shipping my CB50 to HK, and I have no clue what would be the safest (and reasonably cheap) way. I would greatly appreciate if any of you have experience shipping tuba aboard and could give me some suggestions.
I have a MTS case in good shape, which barely fits the horn's large bell. Have thought about doing a sea freight, but it's kind of scary . Would the best way still be flying with it as an oversized luggage?
Thanks, in advance!
I have a MTS case in good shape, which barely fits the horn's large bell. Have thought about doing a sea freight, but it's kind of scary
. Would the best way still be flying with it as an oversized luggage?Thanks, in advance!
CB50 4V (Sold)
YFB-621
YFB-621
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SousaSaver
- 5 valves
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- Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 5:19 pm
Re: How to ship a tuba aboard
You can ship your horn using an international carrier. You just need to pack it VERY CAREFULLY giving special attention to the bell flare.
I would NOT ship the horn in the case. I would ship the horn and the case separately. Use an oversized box for the horn. You want to put as much distance as possible between the horn and the walls of the box. The second goal is to limit the horns motion once inside the box.
DO NOT USE STYROFOAM PACKING PEANUTS. Use bubble wrap with the large bubbles. You can buy a large roll of it from paper supply houses for 60 - 75 bucks.
As long as you have enough room between the walls of the box and the horn and you have eliminated motion inside the box, you are off to a great start. I have had very good luck shipping Tubas and Sousaphones to people in Europe. It may be worth your while to palletize your boxed Tuba and label it "DO NOT STACK."
Whatever you do expect it to be expensive. You have to ask yourself what is more expensive: properly shipping a horn or paying for repair to damage.
You might also consider buying your Tuba a plane ticket, but I don't have much experience there. Someone else could chime in with that info.
I would NOT ship the horn in the case. I would ship the horn and the case separately. Use an oversized box for the horn. You want to put as much distance as possible between the horn and the walls of the box. The second goal is to limit the horns motion once inside the box.
DO NOT USE STYROFOAM PACKING PEANUTS. Use bubble wrap with the large bubbles. You can buy a large roll of it from paper supply houses for 60 - 75 bucks.
As long as you have enough room between the walls of the box and the horn and you have eliminated motion inside the box, you are off to a great start. I have had very good luck shipping Tubas and Sousaphones to people in Europe. It may be worth your while to palletize your boxed Tuba and label it "DO NOT STACK."
Whatever you do expect it to be expensive. You have to ask yourself what is more expensive: properly shipping a horn or paying for repair to damage.
You might also consider buying your Tuba a plane ticket, but I don't have much experience there. Someone else could chime in with that info.
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SousaSaver
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1133
- Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 5:19 pm
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hermanstanford
- lurker
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- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:13 am
Re: How to ship a tuba aboard
Many thanks! These are some very good advice, especially the picturized illustrations.
Now I have to consider whether to do that, or just sell the horn before I go. The least thing I want to see is the horn get damaged. I would rather let someone else enjoy it.
Now I have to consider whether to do that, or just sell the horn before I go. The least thing I want to see is the horn get damaged. I would rather let someone else enjoy it.
CB50 4V (Sold)
YFB-621
YFB-621
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hokkmike
- bugler
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- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:38 pm
- Location: Endless Mountains in north-central Pennsylvania
Re: How to ship a tuba aboard
Well, my new euphonium is coming from Boston to PA via UPS. I imagine that they will ship it in the case which is inside a carton. (having read this I am a little nervous) Your move is, of course, much more involved and with a much larger instrument. Best of luck to you. I thought the link with the pictures to be very helpful.
Have you considered whether the cost of shipping your tuba might not just justifying you buying another one when you get there? You don't say how long you will be in Hong Kong, but in the event that the stay is temporary you will, of course, have to repeat the packing experience, and attendant expenses, for the return trip.
Have you considered whether the cost of shipping your tuba might not just justifying you buying another one when you get there? You don't say how long you will be in Hong Kong, but in the event that the stay is temporary you will, of course, have to repeat the packing experience, and attendant expenses, for the return trip.
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termite
- bugler
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- Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:34 am
- Location: Australia
Re: How to ship a tuba aboard
When I had a tuba shipped from the US to Australia I used an international removalist firm - that is their normal business was shipping house lots of peoples personal possessions - dining table, grand piano etc. Also they were a small business that had links to similar small business's in different countries.
When I rang up, the guy recognised my voice and said "oh yeah, that one", and rung up his counterpart in California who recognised his voice and said "oh yeah, I saw that this morning, ah, there it is right in front of me". There were no call centre operators looking for it on tracking systems (and not finding it - "I'm sorry sir, it doesn't seem to be coming up on the screen").
I thought that they might have a different approach to firms that ship bulk stuff for retail. Having worked in despatch in a firm of this size I felt right at home dealing with these guys.
The tuba came in a plywood box on a pallett that had to be picked up with a forklift - you couldn't pick it up and throw it. The only danger would have been forklift driver error - either penetration by the tines or being dropped.
I paid AUD$1600.00 plus insurance for shipping. This is a lot but the difference in price between tubas in the US and Australia made it economical. (I got a mint second hand 1291 BBb for less than a new YBB321 would have been locally. No-one in Australia will sell you a 1291).
I wouldn't send a tuba as checked luggage - it WILL be picked up and thrown. Also a tuba case is the perfect shape to fall off a conveyor belt.
Regards
Gerard
When I rang up, the guy recognised my voice and said "oh yeah, that one", and rung up his counterpart in California who recognised his voice and said "oh yeah, I saw that this morning, ah, there it is right in front of me". There were no call centre operators looking for it on tracking systems (and not finding it - "I'm sorry sir, it doesn't seem to be coming up on the screen").
I thought that they might have a different approach to firms that ship bulk stuff for retail. Having worked in despatch in a firm of this size I felt right at home dealing with these guys.
The tuba came in a plywood box on a pallett that had to be picked up with a forklift - you couldn't pick it up and throw it. The only danger would have been forklift driver error - either penetration by the tines or being dropped.
I paid AUD$1600.00 plus insurance for shipping. This is a lot but the difference in price between tubas in the US and Australia made it economical. (I got a mint second hand 1291 BBb for less than a new YBB321 would have been locally. No-one in Australia will sell you a 1291).
I wouldn't send a tuba as checked luggage - it WILL be picked up and thrown. Also a tuba case is the perfect shape to fall off a conveyor belt.
Regards
Gerard