Moving/shipping personal computer from Canada to US

[hollycenations 11]

Does anyone here have any experience moving their personal desktop computer from Canada to the US? My husband has a gaming computer that will need to get here somehow, and we're trying to figure out the safest, most economical way to get it here. He doesn't really have much stuff he's bringing here, like furniture and the like, so it's really just the computer and his clothes that will need to make the trip.

Any thoughts?

[RodDetroit 118]

isnt he driving his car from Canada to the US ? can he take it with him? Gaming computer are quiete expensive so I wouldn't go cheap on the transportation.

[hollycenations 11]

isnt he driving his car from Canada to the US ? can he take it with him? Gaming computer are quiete expensive so I wouldn't go cheap on the transportation.

Nope, he doesn't have a car. He lives in Toronto, so he just uses public transit. He'll be flying in on a one-way ticket.

[Avina 13]

I got my entire desktop shipped from Germany to USA with DHL, I had several dents on my computer case and my motherboard stopped working (probably because of the constant movements), monitor however was fine (used the original box).

After personally experiencing this, I recommend to take apart all the important things inside the case and put them in a safe box and it should be fine. But be prepared to have dents on the case if its not in the original box.

[NikLR 13,220]

I agree with the above. Unseat the gfx card, sound card (if there) and ram. Even to the point of removing the fan and cpu from the mobo. Hopefully he still has all his original boxes which will have the best packing for those products. Unless he bought it already built. But at least taking everything apart and sending them well packed in separate boxes would minimize any issues from handling by shipping or airport staff. When he packs the case, get it in a larger box blankets preferably. The problem with styrofoam would be static. If he has anti static bags or he can get some, wrap everything up in their own anti-static bag.

Basically do not leave anything seated to the mobo that could possibly move and make sure to pack everything REALLY well.

If he were driving, this wouldn't be a big deal, (I moved down here with my PC too but we drove a uhaul) but lord only knows how the shipping companies or airport will handle his PC.

Edited December 14, 2016 by NikLR

[vv84 0]

I'm kind of worried about this as well. I have most of my original boxes (including case box). I'm thinking I may just bring it on the plane with me and hope for the best. But I agree with NikLR, take everything off the mobo if you can.

[hollycenations 11]

Just to update everyone in case it's helpful to others, here is what we decided to do. We're just going to deconstruct his computer, and pack all the parts separately in his suitcases, and not bring his tower. We'll just get him a new one here. The most important parts (GPU, SSD, etc) will be in his carryon.

[zilchfox 296]

I had my computer as part of my checked luggage in my flight. It was just the tower. Worked fine when landed, and still working to this day.

Edit: it was actually INSIDE the luggage and had clothing packed all around it for protection. CATSA inspected the bag but otherwise all is fine.

Edited December 19, 2016 by zilchfox

[NikLR 13,220]

I think that not bringing the tower is a good idea. Heck hubs just decided he didnt want a mini anymore and got a corsair mid last night for $55.

[DJ6372 111]

I shipped my base unit in the hold luggage, I bubble wrapped the inside of the suitcase and then bubble wrapped the PC, jammed any gaps with bubble wrap and it survived.

I flew from UK to USA.

[hollycenations 11]

Update for anyone interested: My husband did end up using two 28" suitcases to transfer his belongings to Oklahoma. He stored some computer parts in boxes, wrapped in anti-static bags, and then packing foam/bubble wrap. Others were just in anti-static bags, and then padded with clothes and wrap. Everything made it here just fine! We were so relieved.

Edited February 24, 2017 by hollycenations

[NikLR 13,220]

YAY!