I like the idea of shipping your devices, but what if you need your device during the trip up to customs? One thought comes to mind is ship a one-time passcode to your final destination and only that can unlock it at customs? It may appear you are actively hiding something from them and you end up in a lot of trouble. Or during the questioning, you don't hide anything and provide the address the one-time passcode is stored, which will use up valuable resources to go retrieve it. Maybe that would be too much trouble for them and let you go or you just added 8 more hours and expenses you have to pay to retrieve it.
Less chance of loss, theft, and breakage (depending on courier). So, probably.
Your laptop has to clear customs too, and it won't be in your possession with this plan.
If the laptop is not in your possession when it has to clear customs wouldn't this mean they cannot ask you for the password and such, then this would limit what they could do? Though they could still seize it, but at least without the knowledge of passwords and social media.