February 28, 2026
How to Ship a Pinball Machine: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Shipping a pinball machine the wrong way can destroy thousands of dollars of electronics and mechanisms. Here is the definitive guide to getting it done right.
Why Shipping a Pinball Machine Is Harder Than It Looks
A pinball machine is not a piece of furniture. It is a precision machine with thousands of moving parts, delicate electronics, hand-painted artwork, glass playfields, and in many modern machines, LCD screens, motors, and animatronics. A single tip or drop can cause irreparable damage.
Yet every week, people try to ship pinball machines using standard freight carriers, USHIP bidders with pickup trucks, and "general movers" who have never handled one before. The result is almost always the same: cracked glass, broken flippers, damaged backglasses, and a repair bill that costs more than the shipping savings.
This guide walks you through exactly how to ship a pinball machine properly — whether you are a collector, an arcade operator, or someone who just bought a machine online.
Step 1: Know Your Machine
Before anything else, identify your machine:
Older EM machines require different handling than modern Stern machines with LCD displays. Know what you are shipping before you get a quote.
Step 2: Prepare the Machine for Shipping
Disassemble the Head
The most important step for safe transport is removing the head (the upper cabinet containing the backglass and score display) from the lower cabinet (the body). This accomplishes two things:
1. Reduces the height from 6+ feet to a manageable 3–4 feet 2. Eliminates the top-heavy profile that causes tipping during transit
To remove the head, disconnect the wiring harness connectors that run between head and body, remove the hinge bolts, and carefully lift the head free. Some machines have locking mechanisms — consult a machine-specific manual or forum.
Protect the Playfield Glass
The playfield glass is the most fragile component. Remove it and wrap it separately in moving blankets or foam padding. Store it flat, never upright.
Secure the Playfield
The playfield itself should be lowered to the service position and locked down with foam wedges or towels so it does not flap during transit. On older machines, rubber bands can break and components can shift — secure anything loose.
Drain Coin Mechanisms
All coins, tokens, and cash must be removed. This is a legal requirement for shipping and also reduces weight.
Protect the Exterior
Wrap the entire cabinet in moving blankets, securing them with stretch wrap or tape (tape should never touch painted or decal surfaces directly). Corner protectors on all eight corners of the cabinet.
Step 3: Choose the Right Shipping Method
Option 1: Freight LTL (Least Expensive for Long Distance)
Less-Than-Truckload freight is the most common method for cross-country pinball shipping. Your machine shares trailer space with other freight. Pros:
Cons:
Average LTL cost: $250–$600 for regional, $500–$1,200 for cross-country
Option 2: White-Glove Specialty Shipping (Recommended)
Specialty shippers like Coin Machine Shippers handle only coin-operated equipment. Advantages:
Average white-glove cost: $400–$1,500 depending on distance and machine type
Option 3: Pack and Ship Yourself
If you have a truck or van and a helper, local moves under 100 miles can be done yourself. The machine travels upright, secured with ratchet straps to the vehicle walls. This is only recommended for experienced handlers.
Step 4: Crating Requirements
For LTL freight, crating is strongly recommended — many carriers require it for items over 150 lbs or valued over $1,000.
A proper pinball machine crate:
Professional crating typically costs $150–$300 and is worth every dollar.
Step 5: Insurance
Do not skip insurance. Pinball machines range from $500 (older EM machines) to $12,000+ (Jersey Jack Guns N' Roses Limited Edition). Standard carrier liability is $0.50 per pound — on a 300 lb machine that is $150 of coverage on a $5,000 machine.
Declare the full value. The additional insurance premium is typically 1–3% of declared value — less than $100 on most machines.
Common Shipping Mistakes That Destroy Pinball Machines
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Pinball Machine?
| Distance | Standard Freight | White-Glove | |---|---|---| | Under 100 miles | $150–$300 | $250–$500 | | 100–500 miles | $250–$600 | $400–$800 | | 500–1,500 miles | $450–$900 | $700–$1,200 | | 1,500–3,000 miles | $700–$1,300 | $1,000–$1,800 | | Cross-country | $900–$1,500 | $1,200–$2,200 |
Ship Your Pinball Machine with the Specialists
At Coin Machine Shippers, we handle pinball machines every week — from vintage 1970s Williams electromechanicals to the latest Stern releases. We know how to prep, crate, and transport them safely.
Call us for a free quote. We serve all 50 states and will give you a real number in minutes.