Ship DHL. Haven’t checked anything of value in years.
When my uncle died in CA, my brother brought home a suitcase full of pistols and long gun cases.
Obviously done legally, with no ammo but well insured
Johnny Carson said the airlines lost all of his luggage once when he went out of town.
He had to start over with everything after a day went by.
“They haven’t found anything so far but there is one good lead. Someone saw a baggage handler in Miami wearing one of my new suits.”
Years ago American Airlines stole my very expensive ron anejo (aged rum) I was not happy.