Looks like I will be here for the long term and I NEED my guitar. From the other post I looked at, the best idea seems to be to ship by standard mail. This item is something I have owned for many years. It is an acoustic classical (nylon string) guitar in a hard case suitable for shipping. It is in good shape so no scratches or obvious wear except for strings and frets. It is worth about $600 new, so nothing special except to me but obviously I do not want to pay some ad hoc "fee of the day special". I can buy a similar looking used guitar here, same manufacturer, for $100. It does not sound the same so I don't particularly want to buy one here.

I did not bring it with me when I first came as I had a bad experience previously but not with shipping. My previous classical guitar was thrown into a swimming pool and shot to smitherines by an AK47 during the 1994 Yemen civil war. Apparently it was a religious issue with this particular combatant. I would prefer it if my current guitar survives. In Yemen it was essential to pay "bakshish" in order to get something shipped on time and in one piece. I had to go through a Yemeni to accomplish that. It is different here, but how different?

I have shipped two mandolins from the states to here successfully. The last one was a $1250 Eastman, so I understand your concerns. I will find the address or contact details of a friend who ships instruments all over the world. He is in Redding CA. He can certainly give you some tips...PM me