Shipping Cost from Charleston, West Virginia to Shanghai

On average, you'll pay between $2,000 to $5,000 for overseas shipping of an upright piano. This price typically includes basic packing, transportation, and standard insurance. However, costs fluctuate significantly based on the specific destination and chosen shipping method.

A piano dolly is essential for moving an upright piano yourself, but hiring professional piano movers is almost always better and safer, especially for valuable instruments, because pros use specialized equipment (dollies, ramps, straps, blankets) and have the training to handle the extreme weight (hundreds to over a thousand pounds) and awkward shape, preventing costly damage and serious injury, which can outweigh the cost of movers. A dolly alone isn't enough; you need strong people, a truck with a ramp, padding, and expertise to avoid accidents.

The average piano moving cost is about $200 – $400 for local moves and $1,000 – $2,000 for long-distance moves. The cost to move a piano depends on several factors such as the type and size of the musical instrument, the move distance, and the specifics of the pickup and delivery locations.