Shipping guitars overseas is a lot easier than it appears. First of all make sure that the country you are shipping to allows for that type item to be imported, second order of business make sure the package size is within limits. Packages to most overseas countries that are of any big sizes or weight can be very expensive, for example; Fed Ex and UPS for the same package are about the same price and USPS will charge about HALF overall. Now with this in mind MAX insurance coverage through the USPS is around $400.00, which means if you sell a guitar for $1200.00 online through eBay it will only be insured for $400.00 thats it, they DO NOT insure for any higher amounts.
I have a standard box size that works well, 20 x 8 x 50 inches, 106 inches total, this fits most countries legal size limits and fits for most types of guitars, electric and acoustic with a hard shell case. Basses and larger guitars will need to be dissassembeled and packed well to meet country requirments. I have included a list of counties and size chart curtosy of the USPS which is very hard to find on their site.This is their standard limit size, don't go over they will not ship! Note: if your coutry is not on the list it is classified as part of the all counties.
From the USPS site:
The maximum size limit for rectangular-shaped parcels of 42 inches in maximum length and 79 inches in maximum length and girth combined applies to all countries except as follows:
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches.
Canada
Hong Kong
Maximum length: 60 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches.
Andorra
Luxembourg
Austria
Macao
Azerbaijan
Malta
Belgium
Netherlands
Denmark
New Zealand
Finland
Norway
France
Poland
Germany
Portugal
Gibraltar
San Marino
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Slovak Republic (Slovakia)
Greece
Spain
Ireland
Sweden
Italy
Switzerland
Japan
Vatican City
Liechtenstein
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 