Art Business Info. for Artists
  • Home
    • Art Business Information Index
  • NEWS
  • PRACTICE
    • Starting Out - Tips
    • Being a Professional artist >
      • Working Lives of Professional Artists
      • Artists' Side Hustles
      • Artists' Residencies
      • Artists Unions
    • Best Art Business Books
    • Learning Opportunities >
      • Art Schools in the UK
      • Art Business Courses
    • Image Management for Artists >
      • How to photograph art
      • How To Scan Artwork
      • How to back up image files
    • Law for Artists >
      • Legal Matters
      • Money Laundering in the Art Market
      • Data Protection for Art and Artists
      • Brexit Guidance for Art and Artists
    • Business Management for Artists >
      • Risk Management for Artists
      • How to spot Art Scams / Fraud
      • Life in an Art Market Recession
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 and Art
  • MARKETING
    • How to write an Artist's Statement >
      • What is an Artist Statement?
      • Why you need an Artist's Statement
      • TIPS How to write an artist statement
      • The Language of an Artist's Statement
      • What an artist statement should contain
      • Examples of Artists Statements
    • How to write an Artist's Resume or CV >
      • Social Media summaries
      • CV for Artists
      • Resume for Artists
      • Biography for Artists
    • How to sign a painting, drawing or fine art print
    • Business Cards for Artists
    • How to write a press release for an artist
    • The Private View Invitation
    • Publicity for Juried Exhibitions
    • Websites for Artists >
      • Why websites matter
      • Options for Websites
      • Web content for Artists
      • Web design for artists
      • Keeping Google Happy
      • Writing for the Web
    • Image & Video sizes for Social Media Sites
    • How to be mobile-friendly
  • SELL ART
    • Trading Law & Regulations for Artists (UK)
    • E-commerce for artists
    • Art Exhibitions & Competitions >
      • Juried Exhibitions & Art Competitions
      • Juried Art Exhibition Checklist for Artists
      • How to cost a juried exhibition entry
      • How to make labels for an art exhibition
    • A Guide to Art Agents and Consultants
    • A Guide to Art Dealers & Galleries >
      • How to find the right gallery
    • The Artist-run Gallery
    • The Vanity Gallery
    • Art Fairs
    • Alternative Options for Exhibitions
    • How to Sell Art from Home
    • Open Studios
  • FRAME ART
    • List of Recommended Picture Framers
    • Conservation Products
    • Framing for open exhibitions and art competitions
    • Framing Videos
    • How to hang a picture
  • SHIP ART
    • How to pack artwork >
      • How to pack and ship pastel paintings
    • Packaging materials
    • How to ship art internationally >
      • Rules of Origin
      • Export Licences for Cultural Goods
    • How to ship art to exhibitions
    • How to mail art - Post & Parcel Services
    • UK & Ireland: Art Transport Services
    • USA Art Transport Services
  • COPYRIGHT
    • Copyright and artists' rights
    • BASICS: Copyright Infringement and Fair Use
    • How to protect artwork online
    • How to do a reverse image search
    • What to do about copyright infringement - for artists
    • Global Conventions on copyright >
      • Copyright in the UK
      • Copyright in the USA
      • Copyright in Canada
      • Copyright in Australia
  • MONEY & TAX
    • How to work out profit from an art sale
    • How to Price Your Art >
      • How important is price when buying art?
      • Options for Pricing Art
      • Terminology and Formulas for Pricing Art
      • Art Experts on Pricing Art
      • How artists price their art
      • The price of affordable art
    • Payments to Artists >
      • Paying Artists
      • How to create an Invoice
    • VAT for Artists
    • Tax Tips for Artists >
      • Tax on prize money
      • UK Tax Tips for Artists
      • UK: Self-Assessment Video Tips
      • USA Tax Tips for Artists
      • Ireland: Tax for Artists
      • Australia: Tax Tips for Artists
    • Insurance for Art and Artists >
      • Insurance for Art Teachers
      • UK Insurance Policies for art and artists
      • USA & Canada: Insurance Policies for Art and Artists
    • Artists' Grants & Scholarships
    • Retirement and Pensions for Artists
    • The Art Legacy >
      • Estate Planning for Artists
      • Estate Planning for Art Collectors
      • Famous Artists Estates
      • Artwork Inventory
      • After the Death of an Artist
      • Copyright and Resale Rights after Death
      • Art and Inheritance Tax
  • About + Help
    • Would you like me to help?
    • Privacy & Cookies Policy
    • Contact

Fine Art Transport

For those who 'need to know'

​How to pack, mail and ship art

A Compendium of Information & Advice about Packing & Transporting Art
​

How to pack, mail, move or ship paintings, prints and sculpture properly
​
ON THIS PAGE: How to Ship Art ​
  • Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about packaging, posting and shipping art - where to find the answer on this website
  • 10 Top Tips for Packaging and Shipping Artwork​​
ON SEPARATE PAGES
​​Packing Fine Art
  • How to pack artwork for shipping - how to weigh, measure, wrap, pack and label artwork to be transported
  • Packaging Materials for art - including the pros and cons of different types of packaging - and looking at aspects of eco-packaging​
Shipping Fine Art - Rules & Paperwork
​to Other Countries and Exhibitions
  • ​​How to ship art internationally -including Export Invoices, EORI Number, Tariffs and Customs
  • NEW: Rules of Origin - a HIGHLY TECHNICAL aspect of international trade & shipping between different countries
  • How to ship art to exhibitions - including answers to FAQs about shipping art to exhibitions ​
​Fine Art Transport: Couriers, Movers and Shippers
  • How to mail art - General Post and Parcel Services - overview of generic post and parcel services in UK and USA (i.e. no-specialist)
  • ​UK Art Movers, Couriers & Fine Art Transport Services - How to get your fine art from A to B without using the post or taking it yourself + Checklists re assessing couriers/movers
  • USA Art Movers, Couriers & Fine Art Transport services - covering Specialist Fine Art Shipping Services, International Art Shippers and Generic Shipping Services in the USA

Important Notice
​

This section of my website is NOT a transport service.
It does ​NOT provide quotations for the transport of art.
It accepts NO LIABILITY re services listed in this section.


If you want a service and need a quote YOU need to contact an art mover, courier or shipper direct

LISTS
of Art Movers, Couriers & Specialist Shippers:
  • UK Fine Art Transport services 
  • USA Fine Art Transport services 
  • All Listings of courier services are offered without liability. I have not used them and the summarised information is derived from their websites or via correspondence or via information from those who have
​However I'm always happy to receive recommendations from verified CUSTOMERS of services moving art. (See the form at the end of the transport services pages to offer recommendations).
You should ALWAYS satisfy yourself whether a supplier provides the service you require
based on
  • your needs,
  • your query and
  • the response it gets

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about packaging, posting and shipping art

Is your knowledge about packaging and shipping art "a big black hole"? 

Starting out, I found packaging and shipping artwork one of the most challenging aspects of selling art - particularly when it needs to be sent to another country.

I worked hard to find out more about the best ways to pack and ship art - and started making notes! 
I don't have all the answers yet but I have
  • collected some of the BEST FREE advice and tips over the years,
  • researched further for myself - and
  • summarised all of this information on this website - with links to yet more advice 
  • see below for dedicated pages on specific topics
If YOU need help with packing and shipping artwork this is the BEST place to start

QUESTIONS artists ask about moving art

ANSWERS to your questions

PACKING ART - QUESTIONS​​
​
  • How do I package a painting?​
  • How do I pack an oil painting?​
  • What's the best way to pack fine art prints and works on paper?
  • ​How should I pack a painting for air travel?

  • How do I measure dimensions, volume and weight
PACKING ART - ANSWERS
​

How to pack artwork for shipping
  • Generic advice about packing and shipping
  • Tips from artists, photographers, galleries, curators, museums, conservators, art societies, art collectors, shippers and more
​SUMMARY TIPS: How to create a package for artwork
PLUS HOW TO:
  • label a package
  • measure dimensions, volume and weight
  • wrap and pack framed and/or glazed works
  • package and ship giclee prints / drawings / works on paper
  • package and ship 3D - sculpture and ceramics
  • How do I pack a work in pastels?
How to wrap and pack pastel paintings
  • method and videos for how to package and ship pastel paintings
  • What are the best packing materials for art?
  • How can I pack art without using plastics?
  • Where can I find eco-friendly packaging materials
Packaging materials - suitable for shipping art
The pros and cons of different types of packaging
  • for the external and internal packages
  • how packaging can damage your art
  • how to be sustainable and reuse materials when shipping​

​GETTING ART TO AN EXHIBITION - QUESTIONS
​

Exhibitions bring a particular challenge when artwork needs to be submitted minus packaging
  • How do I get art to an exhibition minus packing?
  • ....and back again properly packed?
  • What's the best way to ship a painting?
EXHIBITION - ANSWERS
​
How to ship art to exhibitions
See also the section on how to pack artwork and packaging materials for tips about reusable materials

HOW TO SHIP INTERNATIONALLY - QUESTIONS
​
  • Why is my package stuck in Customs?
  • How do I get art to its final destination without getting stuck en route?
  • How do I ship art internationally?
  • What's an EORI Code
  • What are the correct codes for customs forms?
  • What about customs - and commodity codes?
  • Why are Rules of Origin important?
SHIPPING INTERNATIONALLY - ANSWERS
​

How to ship internationally​
Information about all the documentation required for international shipping
  • How to produce an export invoice
  • All about export commodity codes
  • How to complete customs documentation 
  • How to write an international address correctly
  • How to avoid getting stuck in Customs - see Rules of Origin
My very first serious exhibition 20 years ago was in the USA. I had to learn pretty fast about how to pack art so it arrives safe and sound and which service works best for getting the artwork there by the due date - and the customs documentation and tariff codes required and how to display it so that the package actually got out of Customs and arrived at the Gallery!

Everything went fine - but it was a long wait until I got the confirmation everything had arrived safely!

Since that date I've heard of numerous artists who have messed up on sending their artwork to other countries. It's hugely disappointing to the artists who have invariably made their best efforts - but just didn't get everything right because they'd never ever done it before. 
  • * The artwork often remains in Customs while the exhibition goes ahead without them!  
  • * Or the artwork arrives damaged because allowances were not made to what can happen to artwork moving overseas. 
  • * Or it just disappears......
  • Shipping artwork internationally - how to send art to overseas exhibitions and clients

MAILING ART - QUESTIONS
​
  • Which is the best postal / courier service for artwork?
MAILING ART - ANSWERS

How to mail art - Post and Parcel Services
covers general mail and parcel services for mailing paintings, drawings and prints in the UK and USA

MOVING/ COURIERING/ SHIPPING ART - QUESTIONS
  • How do I get fine art from A to B without using the post or taking it myself?
  • What's the difference between generic shipping/courier services and specialists in transporting fine art?
  • What does the courier need to know?
  • What do I need to know before placing an order?
  • Which is the best service for shipping fine art?
  • Which are the best firms for moving art?
MOVING ART - ANSWERS

UK Art Couriers, Movers & Shippers
Two checklists of what you need to do/know first
​PLUS LISTS of couriers, movers and sippers
national and regional + websites & contact details including
  • carriers listed by art competition organisers
  • Including those with a Royal Warrant / members of ARTIM
  • Others used by larger organisations and/or collectors to move valuable fine art and.or to move art internationally

USA Art Couriers, Movers & Shippers
  • Recommendations are always welcome
Picture

10 TOP TIPS
How to pack ​paintings, sculpture, works on paper & prints
​

It's a fact of life that the worst can and does happen when shipping art.
I know this because it's happened to a number of people I know. I've watched as people have unwrapped parcels to find broken glass everywhere and damage to the artwork.

My principles for packing and shipping are based on the notion that if you assume the worst will happen and you pack accordingly, then neither you nor your customer will ever be disappointed.
​10 Top Tips for Packaging and Shipping Artwork
  1. Assume your artwork will be dropped - from a height - and pack accordingly
  2. Movement within packages destroys packaging and artwork - make sure everything is rigid and nothing can move
  3. Measure carefully - dimensions are really important if you want to get the right size of packaging and avoid paying too much. You also need to be clear which way is up (when shipping sculptures).
  4. Protect corners - from damage and from being sharp enough to rip through packaging
  5. Always cushion your artwork on all sides - a foam core sandwich works well
  6. Sending glass requires the use of special protection to prevent shattered glass from destroying the artwork
  7. Use waterproof markers for labels and label the addresses for the destination and sender really clearly
  8. Include extra information about destination address and sender inside the parcel in case of damage
  9. Make sure the internal package can withstand water - if the external package is left out in the rain or becomes wet e.g. left on a wet doorstep
  10. Make sure the customs documentation is correctly completed with the right tariff code and placed in a waterproof transparent envelope on the exterior

REFERENCE:
  • 7 Art Shipping Nightmares and How Best to Avoid Them | ArtNet
  • How to ship a sculpture | The Abundant Artist
HOME
​HOW TO:
  • ship art to exhibitions
  • ship art internationally
  • Source Packaging materials - suitable for shipping 
  • pack artwork for shipping
  • wrap and pack pastel paintings​
  • mail art - General Post and Parcel Services 
LISTS OF FINE ART MOVERS, COURIERS & TRANSPORT SERVICES
  • In the UK 
  • In the USA
ADVERTISEMENT
ABOUT ART BUSINESS INFO. FOR ARTISTS
This website aims to provide a compendium of resources about the art business for artists. Please read "PLEASE NOTE"

It helps artists learn how to do better at being business-like, marketing and selling their art and looking after their financial security.
  • HOME
  • INDEX
  • PRACTICE
  • MARKETING
  • SELL ART
  • FRAME ART
  • SHIP ART
  • COPYRIGHT
  • MONEY & TAX
  • ​​CAN I HELP?
  • CONTACT ME
Copyright: 2015-2021 Katherine Tyrrell | Making A Mark Publications
​
- all rights reserved
  • About this site 
  • About the Author
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
If you've got any suggestions for what you'd like to see on this website please send me your suggestion
PLEASE NOTE:
1) Content and the law change all the time. It's impossible to keep up with it if you're not working on the topic full time. 
​2) I research topics carefully. However, I am totally unable to warrant that 
ANY and/or ALL information is 
  • complete and/or
  • professional and/or
  • wholly accurate and/or 
  • all links lead to the most current information (at the time of writing)​
​3) Hence all information I provide comes without any LIABILITY whatsoever to you for any choices you make. 
4) This website is FREE FOR YOU but not for me. ​Links to books are Amazon Affiliate links. Buying a book via this website means I get a very small payment which helps to fund and maintain this website. .I much appreciate any support your provide. Adverts are provided by Google AdSense - but the adverts do not mean I endorse the advertiser.
  • Home
    • Art Business Information Index
  • NEWS
  • PRACTICE
    • Starting Out - Tips
    • Being a Professional artist >
      • Working Lives of Professional Artists
      • Artists' Side Hustles
      • Artists' Residencies
      • Artists Unions
    • Best Art Business Books
    • Learning Opportunities >
      • Art Schools in the UK
      • Art Business Courses
    • Image Management for Artists >
      • How to photograph art
      • How To Scan Artwork
      • How to back up image files
    • Law for Artists >
      • Legal Matters
      • Money Laundering in the Art Market
      • Data Protection for Art and Artists
      • Brexit Guidance for Art and Artists
    • Business Management for Artists >
      • Risk Management for Artists
      • How to spot Art Scams / Fraud
      • Life in an Art Market Recession
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 and Art
  • MARKETING
    • How to write an Artist's Statement >
      • What is an Artist Statement?
      • Why you need an Artist's Statement
      • TIPS How to write an artist statement
      • The Language of an Artist's Statement
      • What an artist statement should contain
      • Examples of Artists Statements
    • How to write an Artist's Resume or CV >
      • Social Media summaries
      • CV for Artists
      • Resume for Artists
      • Biography for Artists
    • How to sign a painting, drawing or fine art print
    • Business Cards for Artists
    • How to write a press release for an artist
    • The Private View Invitation
    • Publicity for Juried Exhibitions
    • Websites for Artists >
      • Why websites matter
      • Options for Websites
      • Web content for Artists
      • Web design for artists
      • Keeping Google Happy
      • Writing for the Web
    • Image & Video sizes for Social Media Sites
    • How to be mobile-friendly
  • SELL ART
    • Trading Law & Regulations for Artists (UK)
    • E-commerce for artists
    • Art Exhibitions & Competitions >
      • Juried Exhibitions & Art Competitions
      • Juried Art Exhibition Checklist for Artists
      • How to cost a juried exhibition entry
      • How to make labels for an art exhibition
    • A Guide to Art Agents and Consultants
    • A Guide to Art Dealers & Galleries >
      • How to find the right gallery
    • The Artist-run Gallery
    • The Vanity Gallery
    • Art Fairs
    • Alternative Options for Exhibitions
    • How to Sell Art from Home
    • Open Studios
  • FRAME ART
    • List of Recommended Picture Framers
    • Conservation Products
    • Framing for open exhibitions and art competitions
    • Framing Videos
    • How to hang a picture
  • SHIP ART
    • How to pack artwork >
      • How to pack and ship pastel paintings
    • Packaging materials
    • How to ship art internationally >
      • Rules of Origin
      • Export Licences for Cultural Goods
    • How to ship art to exhibitions
    • How to mail art - Post & Parcel Services
    • UK & Ireland: Art Transport Services
    • USA Art Transport Services
  • COPYRIGHT
    • Copyright and artists' rights
    • BASICS: Copyright Infringement and Fair Use
    • How to protect artwork online
    • How to do a reverse image search
    • What to do about copyright infringement - for artists
    • Global Conventions on copyright >
      • Copyright in the UK
      • Copyright in the USA
      • Copyright in Canada
      • Copyright in Australia
  • MONEY & TAX
    • How to work out profit from an art sale
    • How to Price Your Art >
      • How important is price when buying art?
      • Options for Pricing Art
      • Terminology and Formulas for Pricing Art
      • Art Experts on Pricing Art
      • How artists price their art
      • The price of affordable art
    • Payments to Artists >
      • Paying Artists
      • How to create an Invoice
    • VAT for Artists
    • Tax Tips for Artists >
      • Tax on prize money
      • UK Tax Tips for Artists
      • UK: Self-Assessment Video Tips
      • USA Tax Tips for Artists
      • Ireland: Tax for Artists
      • Australia: Tax Tips for Artists
    • Insurance for Art and Artists >
      • Insurance for Art Teachers
      • UK Insurance Policies for art and artists
      • USA & Canada: Insurance Policies for Art and Artists
    • Artists' Grants & Scholarships
    • Retirement and Pensions for Artists
    • The Art Legacy >
      • Estate Planning for Artists
      • Estate Planning for Art Collectors
      • Famous Artists Estates
      • Artwork Inventory
      • After the Death of an Artist
      • Copyright and Resale Rights after Death
      • Art and Inheritance Tax
  • About + Help
    • Would you like me to help?
    • Privacy & Cookies Policy
    • Contact