The French market for used instruments accounts for approximately 500,000 transactions annually (CSFI, 2024). Behind every transaction lies a shipment. And behind every shipment lies a financial risk that most industry players discover too late.
This guide is intended for professionals who ship regularly: resale platforms (Mercatino Musicale, Zikinf, etc.), instrument makers, refurbished instrument stores, and dealers such as Woodbrass, Gear4music, or Keymusic... It covers the two inseparable pillars of a successful shipment: professional packaging protocols, because an instrument that is not physically protected will not be compensated, regardless of the insurance policy taken out => and financial coverage tailored to the actual volumes and values of the sector, particularly for refurbished instruments, which are frequently excluded by carrier insurance policies.
A professional's actual financial exposure
A professional who handles 40 shipments per month with an average value of €1,500 exposes €60,000 per month to logistics risk. General road transport law (CMR Convention) caps compensation at 8 SDRs (~€23/kg). A 4-kg Les Paul guitar: maximum reimbursement of €92. An alto saxophone worth €2,200, weighing 3 kg with case: €69. Regardless of the instrument’s actual value.
Two additional issues specifically affect professionals:
Used and Refurbished Instruments: The terms and conditions of Colissimo, Chronopost UPS contain exclusion clauses regarding goods that are “worn” or “collectibles.” An instrument refurbished by a certified luthier may be denied compensation on this basis alone, regardless of the quality of the refurbishment.
Processing times that are incompatible with B2B: 45 to 90 days for a Carrier claim. On a platform that guarantees a payment timeline to the seller, each claim ties up cash flow for two months.
Professional Packaging Protocol by Instrument
Proper packaging is a prerequisite for any compensation. Claims without proof of proper packaging are rejected in 15 to 25% of cases. Here are the standards by instrument category.
Double-wall corrugated cardboard can withstand approximately 40 kg of vertical pressure, compared to approximately 15 kg for single-wall cardboard. 80% of breakages occur during logistics sorting, not during transport (Keymusic / Thomann).
Wind instruments, keyboards, and percussion
For wind instruments, the main risk is not damage to the body (brass is durable), but deformation of the valves and slides due to lateral pressure. Procedure: use the original hard case or a custom-cut PE foam box; always use a double-box setup. Movable slides: apply a light coating of cork grease before closing. The bell: rigid PVC tube (Ø 50 mm) cushioned with foam, separated from the instrument.
Why Carrier insurance Carrier enough in a professional setting
The Claisy Solution for Music Professionals
Claisy is an ad valorem insurance solution designed for professionals who regularly ship valuable goods. Key points for the music industry:
- Covered used and refurbished instruments: no exclusions based on the condition of the item, provided that the declared value corresponds to the actual market value
- Up to €100,000 per package: concert violins, vintage guitars, high-end professional saxophones
- Volume-based sliding scale: starting at 0.75% of the declared value; terms negotiable for high-volume accounts
- API/Webhook Integration: Automated reporting for platforms that process dozens of shipments per week
- 48–72-hour claims settlement: consistent with the customer service commitments of resale platforms. The claim does not disrupt cash flow
- All carriers: Colissimo, Chronopost, UPS, DHL, GLS, Mondial Relay