Carrying AV revceiver from USA to India

[sharat_chandra]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and also to the world of Hidef AV. I have recently purchased a new AV receiver Yamaha RX v867 in the USA, and was planning to carry it to India.

Now I am concerned about how to take it to India, since its fragile. A store salesman recommended that I take it with the same company packing as they pass international shipping standards, but I am still worried since, if I place it in the checked baggage. The Airport guys usually dont handle the checked baggage with care.. Hope you got my concern...

Has anyone else been in the same boat ? Any idea's tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[anm]

you can mark you checked in luggage as fragile in big letters at multiple places. They do respect it at times.

 

[GeorgeO]

Its far to heavy to carry as a carry on item-even if unpacked and hand carried. I dont see any option but to check it in. What is the weight, do you know? I suggest use the lightweight styrofoam packing and for additional protection wrap some clothes around and then place it in your check in bag.

 

[manoj.p]

+1 for styrofoam packing. Also, if you have a hard shell bag, put it in there. The receiver is heavy so, the people handling the bag can't throw it around that easily.

 

[xoceter]

The customs in the US are bound to open your checked-in luggage if they scan a electronic device whether you've out the fragile tag or not. I hope you carry a TSA lock so that they can easily open your suitcase and then close it back without damaging your luggage or worse calling you before boarding to open the bags for them.

People put big electronic items in their luggage only to fool Customs in India and save themselves with the hassle of explaining to the bribe hungry customs that its within the stipulated free customs limit. Just do the luggage into the bathroom trick to wipe of the chalk mark.

You are likely to be stopped here if you carry it in the original package. However if you have declared your luggage before leaving India and prove it to them using original receipts that your imports back to the country is within the custom free limit, they WILL let you go.

 

[sharat_chandra]

Its about 29 lbs, which is well within the allowed limits for a checkin bag. I am not very concerned about the weight at this point..

do you suggest I remove it from original packing and then use styrofoam packing ? before wrapping it in clothes?

 

[vadiraj]

Hi,

I recently carried my Denon 1911 from Prague via Dubai..I used the same end thermocol protectors that came along the original packaging and covered the bottom and top ends with clothes..

I took bit of gamble and when i opened my luggage at home, the receiver was in tact :clapping: though the top cover was slightly bent, but rest was fine and is functioning well.

I suggest using end protectors that came alongwith the original packaging as they will significantly protect the receiver..

All the best

 

[cricfansd]

Your best bet it to use the original packaging and put clothes between the styrofoam gaps. I once checked-in my AV receiver in a domestic flight and saw the handling from the window. Despite fragile stickers everywhere, the baggage handler threw the box from the belt in to the luggage truck. Nothing happened as it was packed quite well but I am not sure it is always the case.

 

[giddavr]

Its about 29 lbs, which is well within the allowed limits for a checkin bag. I am not very concerned about the weight at this point..

do you suggest I remove it from original packing and then use styrofoam packing ? before wrapping it in clothes?

i have brought everything from usa with absolutely no hitch so far. for the av receiver, which usually weighs around some 13-15kgs., i would recommend a hardcase suitcase and the best packing is bubble wrap and lots of it. ensure atleast a 4-5inch layer of bubble wrap. and make sure the suitcase is packed with other items so that there is no free space surrounding the luggage. evryrthing should fit snugly. ther is going to be lots of other luggage on it so u need to make sure there is no play in the suitcase shell. sit someone fat on it after packing to test it. then stick those FRAGILE labels on all sides. and u should be good to go.

 

[GeorgeO]

Bubble wrap is a good idea. I dont know about the "sitting someone fat" on it!!

 

[GeorgeO]

The original cardboard carton is generally bulky and avoidable, the end moulded styrofoam provides good protection and lightweight, as is bubble wrap. Clothes around it are an added
precaution as is a hard shell. The advise about ensuring fill factor in the suitcase is also a good idea to avoid "play". Remember 29 lbs plus suitcase itself is already 36-37 lbs , you can only check in either a single or multiples of 50 lbs as free allowance, depending on the airline.

 

[just4kix]

I tend to differ somewhat in opinion. You should use the original packing (if undamaged). Adding extra bit of styrofoam, clothes, etc. makes the package densely packed leaving no play area. This will cause any shock, pressure, force from external source, , however dampened, to be transmitted to the device.

That is the reason why vadiraj saw the top cover slightly bent.

 

[giddavr]

cardboard carton and styrofoam are out. styrofoam occupies useful space which could otherwisw be utilized for other things. but if u have nothing else to fill up the suitcase, then using the original styrofoam blocks is a given. just ensure there is sufficient bubble wrap covering the exposed surfaces of the avr and filling the intervening space , so that there is no play. the fat guy sitting is to make sure there is definitely not too much give. be assured that the suitcase will be roughly handled and many cases put on it no matter how u label it. FRAGILE only applies as long as it is visible to outsiders. once inside all r equal.

but be assured u will not damage ur goods..99% of the time. cant get any better odds no matter what.

 

[GeorgeO]

Anyway once you bring it in, do tell us how it turned out. At least we will know about "best practices"

 

[madbullram]

I have brought numerous amps and speakers. The best method I have found for amps is:

1. Get a hard suitcase.
2. Get big size bubble wraps and wrap it 4-5 times
3. Go to walmart and get 2 to 3 nos 5$ pillows or cushions
4. Put one layer of cloths (socks etc), now keep the amp in the middle. Stuff the pillows on the sides and if possible on top. Get a tape and tape them together, the key here is to ensure its a tight fit which will ensure even if the suitcase is tossed your amp doesnt move. Also pillows and cushions dont add weight.
5. Get around 10 moisture wickers, the one u see in shoes , new bags etc and put them on the suitcase (this help is reducing moisture)

Thats it, you should be done and swinging.

 

[mands]

I bought the Denon 1911, i just used the thermocol that comes with factory packing and padded it with some clothes on top and bottom.. Didnt use a hard case made sure that there is no space inside so that the AVR is intact and does not move.. it wrks grt now..

 

[GeorgeO]

One more successful and happy member of the "Mules Club". Welcome!

 

[salil]

Its about 29 lbs, which is well within the allowed limits for a checkin bag. I am not very concerned about the weight at this point..

do you suggest I remove it from original packing and then use styrofoam packing ? before wrapping it in clothes?

dont remove the orginal packing cos its designed to protect the equipment during transportation. I had bought my Onkyo Av receiver from Dubai in its orginal packing and everything was fine when it reached Trivandrum

 

[vinylrecord]

My experience with getting my receiver a Denon 1712 this week...

• Used a large semi-hard case, and fit the the factory cardboard box as is into the box
• Checked in the luggage - tagged it as fragile
• Did not face any issues with check-in or customs

This worked well and I was able to get it here without a scratch...

 

[Gijo George]

Hi Sharath
Have you touched base? & Did you manage to get the receiver in one piece?