Question about shipping equipment and instruments

[tazman]

Hi - Iposted this in the gear discussion, but just realized that this may be a better forum to ask...
It's looking more and more like we may be moving from the US to Europe. I have a rack worth of studio equipment (Aurora16, SCA pres, etc) plus PC and several mics. I also have a dozen or so guitars. All of this will probably be shipped with our household goods and will be in transit for 4-6 weeks.
Has anyone here ever gone through this? Any suggestions? Do you think the equipment and instruments will be ok? Any other ways to ship them that won't cost more than the equipment itself?

Thanks,

[klaukholm]

I did this massive move from the US to EU some five years ago.
Shop around for prices. I got a liftvan and packed it myself.
The main thing to worry about is customs. the shipping company should do that for you and you should come away with no customs fees if this is a permanent move.

[tazman]

It's a fairly permanent move (a few years). I am in contact with a couple of companies and am waiting for estimates. My main concern is if the guitars and rack gear will survive the trip. I will be crating some of the stuff.