Unless you are taking about a really nice printer.... I would just leave the old one and buy new when you get there.

But to the heart of the question, I would still ship by UPS/FedEx.... While your idea would work. I would have trouble with the intangibles.... Rain, snow, exposure of your computer. Plus the UPS/FedEx systems have a better time recovering from damage/loss (as long as you correctly pack, identify and insure your shipment).