I sold and shipped a very small milling machine several years ago. Several thousand dollars. Shipped it through UPS in a heavy cardboard container with internal wood framework, bracing and packing. Buyer called complaining that the machine was butchard. It had been pristine when shipped. He had them return it. When I got it, inspection showed an Acme shaft sheared of with the handwheel still mounted, the motor damaged and several other components bent. UPS started the standard "substandard packing, no protection, yada yada". I told them that I didn't believe them and showed them the hole on one side and it's mate on the other that exactly matched the forks on their forklift in the terminal and had both sharp fresh holes (one in, one out) coated with fresh grease completely around the perimeter. A dowel pushed through both holes contacted all the damaged components. I also showed them pictures of the undamaged box on the day of shipping. A letter sent to their regional office along with before and after pictures of everything. They agreed to ship the machine to the manufacturer for a complete rebuild.The factory sent it on to the buyer in a new factory original packing box.
It takes a lot of effort and documentation but you can beat these shipping issues if you push hard enough.
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