Shipping Musical Instruments Internationally
Fragile, often valuable and sometimes made from CITES-protected woods — instruments need specialist handling.
Musical instruments are among the most fragile and often the most emotionally valuable items shipped internationally. Guitars, violins, cellos, brass instruments, and pianos all have specific packing requirements. The two biggest risks are impact damage (cracks, broken headstocks, bent metal) and humidity/temperature changes during transit (wood swelling, glue joints opening, finish cracking). A third important factor is CITES (the international wildlife trade treaty): certain instrument woods — Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra), elephant ivory keys, tortoiseshell — are protected under CITES and require export/import permits. An instrument containing even small amounts of these materials can be confiscated at customs without the correct documentation.
Carrier Acceptance
General reference on what each carrier typically accepts and how they price this item. Cargosender books through Eurosender's courier network, which assigns the courier and service tier for your specific shipment — get an instant quote to see current pricing and options for your parcel.
| Carrier | Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cargosender | Conditions apply | Standard instruments (guitars, violins, brass) aren't a prohibited category, but size limits for larger instruments and CITES compliance for protected woods are the shipper's responsibility regardless of route. Pianos require specialist freight rather than a standard parcel booking — contact support directly for those. |
How to Pack Musical Instruments for Shipping
Start with the instrument's hard case
Always ship instruments in their hard case — not a gig bag or soft case. If the instrument doesn't have a hard case, buy or borrow one before shipping. The hard case is the primary protection layer. Place the instrument in the case with all latches secured.
Reduce string tension
Before packing a guitar, violin or any stringed instrument: loosen the strings by at least 2–3 full turns. This reduces tension on the neck and bridge during temperature/humidity changes in transit. Failure to do this is a common cause of cracked tops and lifted bridges.
Fill the inside of the case
Pack acid-free tissue paper or clean bubble wrap inside the case to fill any gaps around the instrument body and headstock. The instrument should not move at all when you shake the closed case. Pay special attention to the headstock — it is the most commonly broken part.
Box the hard case
Place the instrument case in a cardboard box at least 5cm larger on all sides. Fill the gap with high-density foam or bubble wrap (minimum 5cm on all six sides). The case should not touch the outer box walls — the outer box absorbs the impact, the foam transfers nothing to the case.
Label and insure
Mark the outer box 'FRAGILE — MUSICAL INSTRUMENT — DO NOT DROP OR STACK'. Label on multiple sides. Purchase declared value insurance for the full replacement cost of the instrument — standard carrier liability at €20/kg is wholly inadequate for any instrument of value.
Customs & Declarations
Musical instruments span several HS headings by type — stringed instruments generally fall under 9202, pianos under 9201, and brass/woodwind under 9205 — though the exact sub-heading depends on the instrument. As with any HS heading, each destination extends this 6-digit international code with its own additional digits and duty rate, so check the destination's tariff schedule for the exact rate. Separately, CITES (the international Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) restricts movement of instruments containing certain protected materials — Brazilian rosewood, some other tropical woods, ivory and tortoiseshell are commonly cited examples — and can require an export and import permit even for a small amount of material in an otherwise ordinary instrument. CITES permit processes and timelines are administered by each country's own designated authority (in Portugal, ICNF) — check current requirements and processing times directly with them well before shipping rather than assuming a fixed timeframe, since this can change and isn't something Cargosender administers.
Pro Tips
If your instrument contains rosewood, ivory, tortoiseshell or another material with CITES implications — including older or vintage instruments — research the specific species and material before shipping internationally; non-compliance risks confiscation with no compensation.
Avoid leaving instruments in unconditioned transit vehicles or storage overnight where temperature or humidity swings are extreme — wood and glue joints are sensitive to rapid changes.
Pianos generally can't ship as a standard parcel — they need specialist piano-moving freight with appropriate vehicles. Contact Cargosender support directly for that kind of shipment rather than trying to book it as a parcel.
Photograph the instrument from multiple angles — body, headstock, neck joint, tuners — before packing. This is standard evidence for any damage claim regardless of who ends up carrying it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship a guitar internationally through Cargosender?
Standard instruments aren't a prohibited category. Ship it in its hard case, properly boxed, with strings loosened and the case interior padded so nothing can move — get an actual quote with your packed box's real dimensions for the price and any size limit on your specific route.
What are CITES regulations for musical instruments?
CITES restricts movement of instruments containing certain protected materials — Brazilian rosewood, some other tropical woods, ivory and tortoiseshell are commonly cited examples. Even a small amount of a restricted material can trigger the requirement for an export and import permit. Check with Portugal's CITES authority (ICNF) before shipping any instrument that might contain these materials, including older or vintage pieces.
How should I pack a violin for international shipping?
In its hard case with the bow tension loosened, interior gaps filled with acid-free tissue so nothing shifts, then the closed case boxed with several centimetres of padding on all sides in an outer carton with clearance around the case. Insure for full replacement value if you're relying on additional cover, since standard weight-based liability is generally far below what a quality instrument is worth.
Do I need to pay customs duty on a musical instrument?
It depends entirely on the destination and the instrument's exact classification — rates and any trade-agreement preferences vary by country, so check the destination's own tariff schedule rather than assuming a rate from elsewhere applies. For an instrument you're bringing back after taking it abroad yourself, some destinations offer personal-effects treatment with proof of prior ownership, but the criteria vary.
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