How Much Does It Cost To Ship a Drum Set on Average?

Transporting your drums far away can be a major pain, as shipping something as large as a complete drum set isn’t the easiest thing in the world, especially considering how many parts you have to think about.

To give you a better idea of what you can expect to spend if you ship a drum set, we’ve come up with a small guide. Keep reading to learn more!

Best Shipping Companies for Transporting a Drum Set

FedEx and UPS are some of the best companies for shipping your drum set. You get more control when shipping with these companies, as they charge based on weight. Typically, these shipping companies will charge between $50 and $150 if you ship your drum set within the United States.

However, if you plan on shipping your drum set internationally, the price will increase depending on where you send it. As you might expect, shipping your drum set to Australia will cost much more than shipping it to Mexico.

If for whatever reason, you don’t want to go with FedEx or UPS, two of the most reliable shipping companies in the states, you might consider USPS, DHL Express, or Maersk.

How To Save Money Shipping a Drum Set

One of the best ways to save money on shipping costs is to pack the drums yourself. Unfortunately, shipping companies charge pretty hefty fees for packing boxes, so if you want to eliminate those fees, you can approach the packing aspect yourself.

Of course, as you might expect, packing a drum set is more complex than throwing each of your kit pieces in separate boxes and calling it a day. First, you must strip your kit down completely and ship it as if it were a new drum set you received in the mail.

For starters, you have to strip the drum shells of their hoops and lugs, remove the drumheads from the top and bottom of each shell, and collapse the hardware to as small as possible.

Next, you’ll want to wrap all your separate kit pieces in bubble wrap, so they don’t get damaged during transport. 

The last time I had to pack my drum set for shipping, I reverse-engineered a drum set unboxing video I saw on YouTube. I’d recommend doing the same thing if you can.

Pack a Smaller Kit

Because these shipping companies charge by weight, you might be better off shipping a smaller kit if you have the option. If you own a larger drum set, this may not be an option. Downsizing is worth considering, however.

A compact drum set might not cost you more than $50, depending on where you’re shipping it.

Shipping from Business to Business

If you have a business address, you can send your drum set, you can save a few bucks by shipping it there. But, unfortunately, delivering a package to a house’s front door costs more than a business.

It often saves shipping companies a bit of fuel if they can ship to a business instead of a home. 

You can even ask around to different friends or family members in the state you’re shipping to see if you can go down that route.

How To Ship a Drum Set Safely

While you might save a few bucks by packing your drum set on your own, it may not be the best option if you don’t have the proper materials or meticulous approach to pack it properly. 

If you’re serious about your drum set getting to you in the best condition possible, you might consider having a professional shipping company pack your drum set for you.

These companies often have well-established packing methods, and their team members know what they’re doing. Plus, you can purchase insurance from them so that if anything happens to your drum set during transit, they’ll pay for it.

If you pack the drum kit on your own, there will be no one to hold responsible except for yourself if anything happens.

5 Steps to Ship a Drum Set on Your Own

With the right approach, you can ensure your drum set arrives safe and sound at its destination. If you’re planning on packing your drum set on your own, follow these eight steps:

Disassemble Your Drum Set

Break the drum set down into its individual components, including the drum shells, stands, cymbals, and pedals. You’ll pack these elements individually to make the process much easier.

Wrap Up Your Components

Use bubble wrap to safely wrap up each drum component, then secure the bubble wrap with packing tape. Bubble wrap will help protect your drum set from damage during transport.

Pack Each Element

Place your wrapped components in individual boxes except for the hardware. Use extra bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or crumpled paper to keep your pieces from shifting around during transport.

Pack Up Your Hardware

Pack your pedals and stands in a separate box using the same materials you used to pack your other components. 

Seal Up Everything in One Large Box

Try to pack everything up in a single large box. If you must ship your drum set in multiple packages, it’s okay. Just note that it might cost you more.

When you close the box, use a piece of cardboard scrap as an additional protective layer on top of everything you have just packed. This will reinforce your package and make the shipping process as safe as possible.

When sealing this last box, be generous with your tape. Remember, you want this package to stay together no matter what happens. So everything should be as snug as possible. Please give it a good shake test to ensure no elements are moving around. 

Final Thoughts

It often doesn’t cost more than $100 to ship a drum set, which is a pretty good bargain considering how much of a burden sending a drum set can be. 

And if your specific shipping needs are expensive, you can use the tips above to save money.