Whether you’re relocating to your second home in Monaco or sending a treasured piece to your pied-à-terre in Dubai, shipping fine art internationally requires more than just wrapping it in bubble wrap and booking a courier.
For the discerning collector, this process is part of the art journey itself, and it should be treated with the same care, expertise, and elegance that the work deserves.
Here’s how to approach international shipping of your artwork from the UK with confidence, sophistication, and minimal stress.
1. Start with proper preparation: Think museum-level care
Art is fragile. Paint can crack. Sculptures can chip. Even shifts in humidity during transit can affect a canvas. The first step in the shipping journey begins with how you package your piece.
Paintings and framed art should be wrapped in acid-free tissue or archival paper to prevent damage, then protected with foam corners and bubble wrap. For high-value pieces, custom-built wooden crates offer superior protection and add peace of mind.
Sculptures require tailored packing solutions. Begin with soft bubble wrap, pay special attention to protruding edges, and surround the piece with foam inserts or air cushions within a reinforced box or crate.
Think of this step not just as packing, but preservation.
2. Curate your documents as carefully as you curate your collection
Just like provenance matters in art, documentation is essential when shipping it abroad. International authorities (and your insurer) need clear, precise records.
At a minimum, prepare the following:
- A detailed invoice outlining the artwork’s title, medium, dimensions, value, and recipient details.
- A Certificate of Authenticity to verify the artwork’s originality.
- An export license is required if your piece is historically significant or above a certain value threshold (check UK and destination country regulations).
- The correct customs declaration forms, with trade tariff commodity codes specific to the artwork.
Treat these documents as you would a title deed to a home; without them, smooth transit is nearly impossible.
3. Choose the right partner: not all carriers are created equal
Selecting the right shipping partner is where luxury logistics makes all the difference. While traditional courier services can handle basic deliveries, fine art requires a specialist’s touch, someone who understands the value, both financial and emotional, of what you’re moving.
Look for shipping services that:
- Offer white-glove collection and delivery
- Provide temperature- and humidity-controlled options
- Understand customs processes in detail
- Have experience with bespoke or oversized pieces
Ideally, you want a shipping partner that treats your art with the same reverence and precision as a gallery would.
4. Insure what matters: because peace of mind is priceless
Standard carrier insurance might cover your laptop, but not your £40,000 original canvas. When shipping artwork, a dedicated fine art insurance policy is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
- Ensure your policy covers:
- Damage during transit and handling
- Theft or loss
- Full replacement value
Also, confirm the process for valuation and claims beforehand. For collectors, insurance isn’t just protection; it’s assurance that your legacy is safe.
5. Understand the customs dance: gracefully glide through borders
Customs procedures are often the trickiest part of international shipping, and where many delays occur. The key? Transparency and accuracy.
Be upfront with declared values and ensure all documentation matches precisely. For temporary exhibitions or loans, consider using an ATA Carnet, which allows duty-free and tax-free movement of art across borders for a limited time.
Each country has its nuances. Some may offer exemptions for original artworks, while others may levy taxes based on value. It pays to consult an expert or hire a customs broker with experience in fine art.
6. Final touches: delivery, display, and delight
Once your artwork has arrived at your international residence, the final step is installation. If the shipping service offers it, opt for on-site unpacking and hanging, especially useful for large or complex pieces.
And don’t forget: check that the address used during shipping matches the local format of your destination to avoid last-mile delivery issues. What seems like a small detail can become a significant delay.
Elevate the experience
Shipping art internationally isn’t just a matter of logistics; it’s an extension of your taste, your lifestyle, and your legacy. When your art is part of your estate, it deserves the same thoughtful handling and consideration you’d give to any treasured asset, wherever in the world you choose to display it.
With the right care and expertise, transporting your collection becomes seamless and secure, preserving your pieces exactly as you intended, and exactly where you want them to be.
Whether it’s a Rothko on your Riviera walls or a rising contemporary artist showcased in your Cape Town living room, international shipping can be done effortlessly and elegantly when you treat the process with the same reverence you give the art itself.
Let your art travel as luxuriously as you do.
