Case or no case
A hard case adds 8 to 12 lb but lets you use a smaller outer box and survives handling. A gig bag needs a bigger box and far more padding to be safe.
Guitars
How much does it cost to ship a guitar?
Between $37.57 and $69.85 for acoustic, electric and bass guitars in the routes below. The case decides the box, and the box decides the price. Everything in the tables below was quoted through the SMKlog calculator on 2026-07-24. The prices are all-in — the carrier label plus what SMKlog charges — and nothing is added at checkout.
Live parcel ratesReal quotes, datedTracking included
Every number here is a real quote
Prices on this page came out of the SMKlog calculator on 2026-07-24 for the exact boxes and routes listed. Run yours for today's rate.
Real quotes, real models
| What we typed | Packed box | Route | Cheapest quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha FG800 acoustic guitar in a hard case | 43 × 20 × 7 in 15.4 lb packed | Berkeley Heights, NJ to Atlanta, GA | $41.49 UPS Ground |
| Fender Player Stratocaster electric guitar in a hard case | 46 × 18 × 6 in 24.3 lb packed | Berkeley Heights, NJ to Chicago, IL | $37.57 UPS Ground |
| Squier Classic Vibe Precision Bass guitar in a gig bag | 52 × 18 × 6 in 16.5 lb packed | Berkeley Heights, NJ to Seattle, WA | $69.85 FedEx Smart Post |
A guitar in a hard case packs to roughly 45 × 19 × 7 inches at 15 to 25 lb. A bass is longer, which is why it quotes higher even when it weighs less than an electric in a heavy case.
What changes the price
Length is the cost driver
Bass guitars run 5 to 8 inches longer than a Stratocaster, and that alone moves them into a higher price band on every carrier.
Loosen the strings
Detune a full step, pack the headstock, and fill the space under the neck. Neck breaks in transit are almost always unsupported headstocks, not drops.
Common questions
How much does it cost to ship a guitar?
$37.57 to $69.85 for the three guitars quoted on this page. A short zone comes in lower, and adding declared-value protection for a valuable instrument adds to the total.
Should I ship a guitar in a hard case?
Yes when you have one. Put the cased guitar inside a box with padding on every side — the case alone is not a shipping container, and carriers treat it as one if you hand it over bare.
Do I need to loosen the strings?
Detune about a full step. Full tension plus a temperature swing is what cracks headstocks; completely slack strings let the bridge shift on an acoustic.
Is a bass more expensive to ship than an electric guitar?
Usually yes, purely on length. The quotes here show the bass above the Stratocaster despite weighing less.
What about vintage or high-value instruments?
Add declared-value protection for the resale price and use signature on delivery. Both are offered during checkout when the carrier supports them for the route.