Shipping overseas?

[brainiac]

I have a query regarding my Distillate for sale. The buyer lives overseas. As long as I have cash in hand before sending, and he pays for shipping, is there anything else I should be considering? TIA

[sonicus]

Depending on where the destination is there might be import duty charges to pay .  There is  often more to shipping from country to country as far as expenses go then transportation shipping costs . Insurance as well is important .

[dnburgess]

Ship it in a case (of course) inside a surdy cardboard carton. The carton should be at least 1 in. bigger than the case in all dimensions. Use polystyrene chips or bubble wrap to space the case from the carton all around.
 
Based on my experience the preferred shipper is Fedex. UPS is ok. DHL is awful. This is based on a combination of administrative ease and damage to goods on maybe 50 shipments over the years,

[keith_h]

The last time I sent something to Europe it was via the US post office. The procedure should be similar for any shipper originating in the US.  
 
I had to fill out a declaration which covered the value, origination and description of the item being shipped. I also insured the item for it's declared value. Make sure this information is accurate. I have heard of the recipient asking that this information be falsified and then being caught breaking the law along with the shipper.  
Any import duties and VAT taxes were the responsibility of the recipient on their end.  
 
Keith

[jazzyvee]

When I got my last guitar shipped from Texas to the UK I asked Alembic to provide me with quote for the replacement cost of the instrument and insured it at that value. It cost more to insure but at least then if anything got mislaid/broken etc I would be able to get another one built with the insurance payout.
 
Beware if it's being shipped to the UK, the value used to calculate duty is the declared value plus the shipping cost!!!!
 
Jazzyvee