Preparation
Complete preparation for transport: sizing and special packing for overseas piano shipping.
OverseasIn a wooden crate
Overseas Piano Shipping
For overseas piano shipping, the piano travels in a wooden crate. We prepare the instrument, pack it for the long journey and take care of customs representation and the documents.
- Wooden crate
- Special packing
- Customs representation
- Export documents
What is included
Overseas piano shipping, from the door to the crate
The crate
The piano travels overseas packed in a wooden crate. The crate is made to the measurements of your instrument.
Customs and documents
Customs representation and preparation of the documents.
How it works
Three steps across the ocean
Send us the details
The instrument, both addresses and the date you have in mind.
You receive an offer
In most cases the offer is final. Sometimes it is indicative, because we first need to see the addresses.
Crating and shipping
We prepare the piano, pack it in the crate and hand it over for the overseas shipment. At the destination, a partner delivers the piano to the address.
Wooden crate
Your request
What we need to know
For overseas piano shipping we need the same information as for any piano move, plus the destination.
- The exact loading and delivery addresses
- On which floor is the piano now?
- On which floor should it be delivered?
- Are there additional stairs at either address, even only a few steps?
- Can a truck reach both addresses?
- The destination country and address
Questions
Good to know
Do you ship by sea or by air?
Both. Sea freight usually suits heavy instruments and moves without a tight deadline, while air freight is faster and costs more. We choose together with you, depending on the destination and the timing.
How long does it take?
It depends on the route. We tell you the timing in our offer.
Who takes care of customs?
We take care of customs representation and the documents for your overseas piano shipping.
What does it cost?
It depends on the instrument, the route and the access at both addresses. Send us the details and we will reply by email with an offer.
Made to measure
The crate
Overseas piano shipping: why the crate matters
During overseas piano shipping, a piano is loaded, lifted and moved together with other freight, often several times between your door and the new address. A crate gives it a rigid shell for every one of these steps. The piano is wrapped first, and the crate is then built to the measurements of your instrument, so that it sits firmly inside.
Wood that is used for crates and pallets in international trade follows an international standard, ISPM 15. Solid wood has to be debarked, heat treated or fumigated, and stamped with an official mark, so that no tree pests travel with the cargo. Processed panels such as plywood are not covered by these rules. The UK government gives a clear overview in its guide to wood packaging material for import and export.
Customs is the other part of the journey. When you move your home, many countries let personal belongings in without duty, as long as you show that you are really moving there. The rules and the forms differ from country to country, so we tell you in our offer what we need from you.
A piano is made largely of wood and felt, and both react to temperature and humidity. After a long journey, give it a few weeks to settle in its new room before the first tuning. Our page on piano moving services explains how to care for a piano after the move.
Data sheet
Overseas piano shipping at a glance
All facts in one place, to read, compare and pass on.
- 25years of experience
- 1000+transports
- 10+countries
As of November 2026
Request a quote- Crate
- The piano travels in a wooden crate built to the measurements of your instrument. Crate wood follows the international standard ISPM 15.
- By sea or by air
- By sea or by air, chosen together with you depending on the destination and the timing. At the destination a partner delivers the piano to the address.
- Customs
- We take care of customs representation and the documents.
- Who we are
- Piano Trans moves upright and grand pianos from door to door: in town, by road between European countries, and overseas in a wooden crate made to measure. 25 years of experience, more than 1000 transports, more than 10 countries.
- Network
- Piano Trans is part of a network of piano transport and relocation companies from Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Austria and Eastern Europe.
- Price
- We do not publish fixed prices. Every offer is written for your instrument and your route, and it comes by email.
- Languages
- We answer in English, German, Bulgarian and Russian.
- Contact
- Phone +43 650 603 93 27, email info@pianotrans.at. Monday to Thursday 08:00 to 18:00, Friday 08:00 to 16:00. For the offer we ask you to write to us.
- Not offered
- General household moves, and repair or restoration of instruments.
Tell us about your piano.
Send us the details of your instrument and the route, and we will reply by email with an offer.