I think it was very honorable of you to create a portrait for him...he's quite lucky, maybe he will continue to be a patron for years to come.
For what it's worth, I always use FedEx...it's been awhile, but they have made deliveries for me to Australia without incident. They have a special "White Glove" service especially for art and the like.
Joy Thomas
www.portraitartist.com/thomas