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How to send a guitar by courier
Compare couriers to send a guitar safely. From £10.90, hard-case guidance, VAT included. Pack it right and quote in 30 seconds.
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Compare couriers to send a guitar
A guitar is long, fragile and often valuable, so the aim is a protective hard case or a well-padded box and a tracked service with enough cover. A cased guitar is a long parcel, around 1.1m, but light, so it is handled as a large or long parcel and the price depends mostly on the length and weight rather than the distance within mainland Britain. ParcelMatch compares every carrier that takes long parcels, including DHL, DPD, Parcelforce and UPS, so you can see the cheapest and fastest options in one search, with VAT included and no account needed to compare or book. Whether you have sold an instrument online, are sending one for a repair or setup, or are posting a gift, the careful approach is the same.
Because a guitar is long and needs careful handling, carriers vary on how they price and treat it, so comparing is well worth the few seconds it takes. The right packing is what keeps the neck and body safe in transit, and a quick comparison shows which carriers handle long, fragile items best before you book.
Cost
How much does it cost to send a guitar?
A cased guitar is a long parcel of around 8kg, and prices start from £10.90. Here is how the main service types compare, with live figures from the quote engine.
On this long, light item the next-day carrier can be the cheapest quote, which is the kind of thing a comparison surfaces.
Next-dayfrom£10.901 working day
Economyfrom£13.202 to 3 working days
Price follows the larger of the actual and volumetric weight, so a snug case keeps the cost down.
A faster service also means the guitar spends less time in the network, which is a small bonus for a fragile instrument.
Size and weight
What size can I send?
An acoustic or electric guitar in a case is roughly 1.1m long, which sits within the 1.5m length limit on most standard services, so a guitar posts without a special service. A bass or a guitar in a large flight case may be longer, so measure the packed length before you quote. The weight is rarely an issue, as a cased guitar is well under the 30kg limit. If you are sending a guitar in a slim gig bag rather than a hard case, the length is similar but the protection is far lower, so box it well.
Packing
How to pack a guitar for a courier
Protecting the neck and the headstock, the weakest points, is the priority. Follow these steps:
- step 01
Slacken the strings slightly to reduce tension on the neck during temperature changes.
- step 02
Use a hard case if you have one, and pack padding around the headstock so it cannot move inside the case.
- step 03
Pad any gaps in the case, then place the case inside a box a little larger with at least 5cm of padding all round.
- step 04
If you have no hard case, wrap the guitar thoroughly in bubble wrap, support the neck with a stiff rod, and use a strong guitar box.
- step 05
Fill every gap so nothing shifts, then tape the box firmly with the H-taping method and mark it fragile.
- step 06
Attach the label flat on the largest face, clear of seams and edges.
Before you book
Common mistakes to avoid when sending a guitar
Most guitar damage in transit traces back to a few mistakes. The most serious is leaving the strings at full tension, as a knock combined with a cold, tight neck is what cracks headstocks, so always slacken them first. Posting in a soft gig bag with no outer box is another, as it offers almost no protection against being dropped or stacked. Failing to immobilise the headstock inside the case, so it rattles against the sides, causes chips and cracks, as does leaving empty space in the outer box that lets the case slide. Do not forget to remove the tremolo arm, capo or any loose accessory from the case, and never skip the fragile marking, as handlers treat a marked box with more care.
Sending a guitar abroad
You can ship a guitar overseas on international services from carriers such as UPS and DHL, which ParcelMatch compares alongside domestic rates. Allow extra time, pack to the same high standard, and complete a customs declaration with an honest description and value. Be aware that instruments made with certain woods or shell inlays can face additional rules on some routes, so check the destination country's requirements, and expect the recipient may owe import duty or tax separate from the courier price.
Should I insure a guitar?
Guitars can be valuable and sentimental, so check the standard cover on each service and add more to match the replacement value. Note that some couriers treat musical instruments as a higher-risk item with cover conditions, so read the terms and keep proof of posting. ParcelMatch shows the standard cover against each quote so you can pick a service with enough protection. A photo of the guitar and its packing helps settle any claim.
Your choice
Drop-off or collection?
A cased guitar is long but light, so dropping it at a depot or shop is usually the cheapest option, while a doorstep collection is available on most services for a little more. ParcelMatch shows both in your results.
Couriers
Which couriers take guitars?
| Courier | For a guitar |
|---|---|
| DHL and DPD | DHL and DPD handle long cased guitars well and are often the best value, including on next-day. |
| Parcelforce and UPS | Parcelforce and UPS take larger flight cases and suit international shipments. |
| FedEx | FedEx offers economy options for longer lead times. |
ParcelMatch shows which carriers quote your guitar and what each costs.
See all carriersHow it works
How it works
Book in one checkout
Pick a service, add the addresses and pay. Your label lands in your inbox straight away.
Drop off or get collected
Leave it at a depot or book a collection, then track it on one page.
Why ParcelMatch
Why send a guitar with ParcelMatch
- Every carrier that takes a guitar, compared in one search, from £10.90
- Fast and economy options, with VAT included
- Standard cover shown against each quote, with add-on cover available
- Collection or drop-off, whichever suits
- No account needed to compare and book
- One tracking page for every courier
How much does it cost to send a guitar?
From £10.90 for a cased guitar, with VAT included. On this long, light item next-day can be the cheapest quote, so compare rather than assume economy is cheaper.
How do I pack a guitar safely?
Slacken the strings, use a hard case padded around the headstock, box it with 5cm of padding all round, fill the gaps and tape it closed. Immobilising the headstock is the single most important step.
What is the cheapest way to send a guitar?
Compare carriers, as the best value on a long, light guitar is often a next-day service, from £10.90. A snug case also keeps the volumetric weight and the price down.
Can I send a guitar without a hard case?
Yes, but wrap it thoroughly, support the neck with a stiff rod and use a strong guitar box. A hard case is safer, and a soft gig bag alone is not enough protection.
Should I slacken the strings before posting?
Yes, slightly, to reduce neck tension during temperature changes in transit. A tight neck combined with a knock is what cracks headstocks.
Can I send a guitar abroad?
Yes, on international services from carriers such as UPS and DHL. Allow more time, complete a customs declaration and check the destination's rules, as some woods and inlays face extra requirements.
Should I remove accessories from the case?
Yes. Take out the tremolo arm, capo, strap and any loose items, as these can shift and chip the finish or damage the body in transit.
Can I track and insure a guitar?
Yes. Every booking includes tracking, and you can add cover to match the guitar's value. Keep your proof of posting and a photo of the packed guitar in case you claim.
Ready when you are
Compare prices to send a guitar now
Two postcodes and the case size is all it takes, from £10.90 with VAT included.
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