Shipping tour equipment internationally?

überschall · 6th July 2006

I might relocate from Germany to the US (Westcoast) and would like to bring some gear with me. Of course, I can't stick it into normal luggage. It's gonna be something like an MPC, some 19"-synths and some desktop-format synths like a TB-303, Nord Micromodular, Dave Smith Evolver.

So far I think about having some company build me road-ready flight cases and then ship those. I've seen engineers shipping their PT-rigs and outboard gear all over the planet, but never asked them back then. They mostly had rack-in-thick-foam-constructions.

So, how is this going to happen? How do musicians ship their stuff for international gigs? How about customs or other fees like that? In which circumstances do they apply? I don't wanna sell anything, just wanna keep my stuff with me.

I'd really appreciate some info on that topic

**Remoteness** · 7th July 2006

Welcome to the forum...

I would consider bringing all the smaller gear in your normal luggage as long as it's surrounded in serious foam and such. Depending on the airline you could get a professsional photographer rate for all your extra baggage. Consider looking into that scenario.

Road-ready flight cases with rack/case within a case is a great idea if you plan to travel a lot. If you're just making the single run to the Left Coast, why not just crate your stuff? Rack within thick-foam construction is pretty sweet but VERY heavy. Some of our ATA heavy duty road cases are about 160 lbs without any gear in them and, that's the 16 rack space cases. Our 20 space rack cases are much more than that. And we call it portable... Ouch, my back!

I would look into US customs policies for fees and such since I cannot help you with that information.

On another note, how will you deal with the AC power in The States?

All the best to you and yours.

I hope this helped.

RobR · 7th July 2006

You can find flight cases for all of those mentioned items.
A google search should fair well. Mind you, the weight on those adds up, which leads to:

Make sure you clear the extra weight ahead of time.
I've never brought more than clothes, cigs and records overseas.
However, I know a lot of jazz cats, and you can imagine they must look
to europe and japan for most of their gigs.

From the stories I've heard, I'd say it's essential you work with the airline on this.
Overweight fees seem to follow the chaos theory...almost random to the human eye.
Sometimes, you walk out fine; other times you cough up the equivelant of 930 euros.
Yikes!

**Remoteness** · 7th July 2006

Pelican cases are a great possibility.

They're a win-win solution. Light weight and road worthy.

überschall · 7th July 2006

Thank you guys for you answers

I think a couple of those pelican case will do the trick for me. You're right, the weight of "normal" flight cases will add up pretty quickly. I wanted to leave stuff like my mackie 1604 here (maybe sell it), since it's easier to just get another one over there.

regarding the voltage. the mpc doesnt care and all the others un on 9V so I wanted to build a distribution-strip anyway and then just get one good supply with enough power and maybe even multi-voltage, too (inputwise).

I really dig the carry-on case. I guess the little synths all fit in there. I already found another one for the mpc, so maybe I could get away with just two cases.

Thanks again for your help. You guys rock

klaukholm · 8th July 2006

When I moved back from the US, I shipped everything in a container.
There might be a rule about avoiding customs when you are moving so it may pay off to use a moving company. Atleast thats how it was when I came back to europe.
Bring your most priced posessions over as carryon.

The shipping took a while, but all my sensitive gear made it over in A+ condition.
They pack and wrap professionally. Just keep the expensive stuff off the floor in case of waterproblems. wrap everything in waterproof plastic inside of the protective wrapping.

Plush · 11th July 2006

Contact Jacki Maeder air freight shipping.

It is substantially less than FedEx or UPS.
Usually these types of shipments are available for pick up at your local int'l. airport--there is no delivery to your house with commercial air freight.

They accomodate heavier items as well.

Just remember that air freight is the best way because it is the fastest---thus your equipment is in their hands the least amount of time. This leads to less possibility to damage the gears.

6th July 2006	#1
überschall Gear nut Joined: Jun 2006 Location: europe Posts: 84 Thread Starter	Shipping tour equipment internationally? I might relocate from Germany to the US (Westcoast) and would like to bring some gear with me. Of course, I can't stick it into normal luggage. It's gonna be something like an MPC, some 19"-synths and some desktop-format synths like a TB-303, Nord Micromodular, Dave Smith Evolver. So far I think about having some company build me road-ready flight cases and then ship those. I've seen engineers shipping their PT-rigs and outboard gear all over the planet, but never asked them back then. They mostly had rack-in-thick-foam-constructions. So, how is this going to happen? How do musicians ship their stuff for international gigs? How about customs or other fees like that? In which circumstances do they apply? I don't wanna sell anything, just wanna keep my stuff with me. I'd really appreciate some info on that topic

7th July 2006	#2
Remoteness Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 7,405	Welcome to the forum... I would consider bringing all the smaller gear in your normal luggage as long as it's surrounded in serious foam and such. Depending on the airline you could get a professsional photographer rate for all your extra baggage. Consider looking into that scenario. Road-ready flight cases with rack/case within a case is a great idea if you plan to travel a lot. If you're just making the single run to the Left Coast, why not just crate your stuff? Rack within thick-foam construction is pretty sweet but VERY heavy. Some of our ATA heavy duty road cases are about 160 lbs without any gear in them and, that's the 16 rack space cases. Our 20 space rack cases are much more than that. And we call it portable... Ouch, my back! I would look into US customs policies for fees and such since I cannot help you with that information. On another note, how will you deal with the AC power in The States? All the best to you and yours. I hope this helped. __________________ Steve Remote AuraSonicLtd.com the home of ASL Mobile & Location Production Remoteness on the Linkedin Network What about my Facebook Profile? Remoteness on Myspace

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7th July 2006	#3
RobR Gear addict Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 446	You can find flight cases for all of those mentioned items. A google search should fair well. Mind you, the weight on those adds up, which leads to: Make sure you clear the extra weight ahead of time. I've never brought more than clothes, cigs and records overseas. However, I know a lot of jazz cats, and you can imagine they must look to europe and japan for most of their gigs. From the stories I've heard, I'd say it's essential you work with the airline on this. Overweight fees seem to follow the chaos theory...almost random to the human eye. Sometimes, you walk out fine; other times you cough up the equivelant of 930 euros. Yikes!

7th July 2006	#5
überschall Gear nut Joined: Jun 2006 Location: europe Posts: 84 Thread Starter	Thank you guys for you answers I think a couple of those pelican case will do the trick for me. You're right, the weight of "normal" flight cases will add up pretty quickly. I wanted to leave stuff like my mackie 1604 here (maybe sell it), since it's easier to just get another one over there. regarding the voltage. the mpc doesnt care and all the others un on 9V so I wanted to build a distribution-strip anyway and then just get one good supply with enough power and maybe even multi-voltage, too (inputwise). I really dig the carry-on case. I guess the little synths all fit in there. I already found another one for the mpc, so maybe I could get away with just two cases. Thanks again for your help. You guys rock

8th July 2006	#6
klaukholm Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Location: EU Posts: 2,431	When I moved back from the US, I shipped everything in a container. There might be a rule about avoiding customs when you are moving so it may pay off to use a moving company. Atleast thats how it was when I came back to europe. Bring your most priced posessions over as carryon. The shipping took a while, but all my sensitive gear made it over in A+ condition. They pack and wrap professionally. Just keep the expensive stuff off the floor in case of waterproblems. wrap everything in waterproof plastic inside of the protective wrapping.

11th July 2006	#7
Plush Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2003 Location: EARS/Chicago Posts: 4,274 2 Reviews written	Contact Jacki Maeder air freight shipping. It is substantially less than FedEx or UPS. Usually these types of shipments are available for pick up at your local int'l. airport--there is no delivery to your house with commercial air freight. They accomodate heavier items as well. Just remember that air freight is the best way because it is the fastest---thus your equipment is in their hands the least amount of time. This leads to less possibility to damage the gears.