What's the best way to ship an amp from the US to the EU?

[Hanske]

Hi,

I have recently bought an amp in the US and am currently weighing the options, how to ship the amp to the EU, where I live. It's a chunky boi (25 kg), so my options will be rather limited and pricey, I expect. Do you guys have any tips? What would be the safest XX most economical way to ship the amp?

Any shared advice or experience would be most appreciated.

Cheers!

Jan

[Cordalis]

1. A good flight case dedicated to that amp,
2. Contact the airline concerning special luggage, supposing you are travelling with it,
3. Take off the tubes (preferably),
4. Have the documents of the amp (invoices, etc.) with you,
5. Be prepared to pay tariffs on the Duane on arrival.

Above all, do some research before, including AI advising.

Good luck with that, you’ll need it.

[gitman]

If a dedicated flightcase is not an option you have to make sure that the amp is DOUBLE-boxed, with sturdy foam panels on all sides, fitted SNUGGLY. Have the power-tubes removed, wrapped in bubblefoil and stuck in the chassis, secured with tape. The big carriers all ship such heavy boxes all the time , all over the world and on their websites you should find all the info you need.
Some 15 years ago I sold a vintage Marshall stack (two 4x12" cabs plus a 100 watt Super Bass head) to a store in St.Paul/Mn and had it shipped on a pallet with a commercial shipper , it cost € 500,- back then. No idea what that would cost now but if you got a good deal on your amp and it's a rare piece then it's worth the extra expense. Good luck !

[Jabberwocky]

Two-inch/5cm thick insulation foam on all six sides. Double-walled shipping box. Remove the valves and pack them separately in bubble-wrap.

Anything less than 2 inches of insulation foam or packing Styrofoam all round in a double-walled shipping box and you risk damaging an amp.