7 Important Tips to Safely Ship a Brass Instrument
Shipping a trombone can be a bit intimidating, especially if it’s your first time! At The Brass Exchange, we understand how valuable your instrument is, which is why we make sure it’s packed securely every time. To help you feel confident in the process, we've put together these 7 essential tips for safely shipping your brass instrument.
1. Remove Loose Items from the Case
Before shipping, be sure to remove any loose items from inside the case—such as mouthpieces, music lyres, metronomes, and mutes. These should be wrapped separately and packed outside the case inside the shipping box to prevent any movement or damage.
2. Fill the Void Inside the Case
It’s crucial to keep the instrument secure inside its case. To do this, fill any empty spaces in the case with paper or bubble wrap. This ensures that the instrument won’t shift around during transit.
3. Choose the Right Box Size
When picking your box, you’ll want to measure the dimensions of your instrument case, then add 2-4 inches in both length and girth. This additional space is known as the void, and it’s important for ensuring proper packing. Be sure to use void fill like shipping peanuts, bubble wrap, or even scrap corrugated boxes to keep everything snug and secure.
4. Box Size Matters—Keep It Tight
A box that’s too big can cost you extra. Most trombone cases are 36 inches or less in length, so we recommend a box around 40 inches long. Why? Dimensional weight! Carriers like UPS and FedEx charge based on the size of the box, not just the weight. A smaller box may save you up to 25% in freight charges, so it's worth measuring carefully.
5. Choose the Right Shipping Carrier
Not all carriers are created equal. At The Brass Exchange, we prefer FedEx and UPS for domestic shipments—they’re reliable, efficient, and offer short delivery times. For international shipments, we work with multiple carriers to ensure the best option for your location.
6. Consider Insurance for Peace of Mind
It’s always a good idea to insure your instrument for its replacement value, or for the sales price if you’ve sold it privately. Insurance rates vary between carriers (FedEx, UPS, and USPS), so be sure to ask up front how much it will cost to insure for your instrument's value. It’s often worth the investment for peace of mind.
7. Track Your Shipment
Modern shipping carriers are great about providing tracking information. Make sure to save your tracking number—this will help you keep an eye on your package’s journey and ensure it arrives safely. Many carriers also offer email or text notifications, so you can get updates in real time.
Need Help Shipping Your Instrument to The Brass Exchange?
If you're sending your instrument to us at The Brass Exchange in St. Louis, MO, we’re happy to help! If we’re buying your instrument directly or working with you on a trade-in, we can create a shipping label for you and send it via email. Shipping charges will be billed to our account with FedEx or UPS.
Just give us a call at 314-616-1434 or email us at info@thebrass-exchange.com, and we’ll take care of the rest!
