How To Ship Art Domestically & Internationally

Wondering how to ship art without turning it into a high-stakes game of roulette? Art shipping requires a high level of attention to detail and caution. Artists, art collectors, and gallery owners need to ensure that their valuable art pieces reach their destination unharmed. It can be a complex process, and it becomes more challenging when the recipient lives in a different part of the world.
That's why we're here! In this blog, we'll guide you through the process of shipping artwork safely and efficiently both domestically and internationally. After all, your masterpiece deserves a grand entrance, not a shipping hiccup, right?
Shipping artwork isn’t overly complicated, although it’s somewhat more complex than shipping regular, less-fragile items. Most artwork is fragile and highly valuable. Therefore, it needs extra protection during transportation to ensure it reaches its destination in good condition. Choosing the right packing materials and shipping company can make all the difference.
You'll also need to acquire the necessary documents for shipping internationally, but complying with the applicable laws and regulations (unlike with some hazardous materials, alcohol, etc.) will not be too much of a burden.
Below, we will guide you through the process of preparing your artwork for shipping both domestically and internationally.

Staring at a masterpiece, wondering, "How on earth do I get this beauty to its new home unscathed?" We've got your back with a foolproof roadmap – a comprehensive guide on how to ship art to ensure a smooth journey from canvas to final destination.
So, what is the best way to ship art? Follow the guidelines below.
Most carriers have professional packing staff on retainer. They have the experience and expertise to pack your art pieces safely and securely. However, if you do decide to take care of the packing yourself, there are a few key things to consider if you want to know how to ship art properly.
Art comes in different dimensions; you need to measure the height, width, and length of your piece. This will help you select the proper sized container so that the piece does not move around during transit in your art shipping box and potentially get damaged.
Here are a few other things that you need to do to prepare your artwork for shipping:
So, how to protect your art when shipping? It all starts with proper packaging materials – they should be of high quality and designed to provide maximum protection to your artwork.
Here are some of the protective materials and techniques that you can use to safely wrap up your art piece:
When choosing a shipping company for your artwork, it's essential to do your research and choose a reputable one. After all, you want nothing but shipping experts on the task, right?
Here’s something to ponder when weighing your shipping options:
You should consider taking out full-value insurance if you are shipping high-value art pieces. Most major carriers provide basic insurance, but it is rarely enough to cover the full price of the item being shipped.
At UNIVAL Logistics, we offer full-value shipping insurance coverage of up $150,000 for domestic and $100,000 for international shipments.
The size of your artwork also impacts the shipping process. Larger artwork weighs more, requires additional protection and larger packaging materials, which increases the shipping cost.
Here are some tips for shipping larger paintings:
When shipping artwork to a buyer, it's essential to maintain direct contact throughout the shipping process.
Here are some tips for maintaining open communication with the buyer:

Wondering how to ship art internationally? When venturing into the global shipping arena with your artwork, meticulous documentation is your passport to success.
Here's a checklist of vital documents to ensure a smooth international art delivery:
Craft a comprehensive export invoice detailing the goods shipped, their value, buyer and seller information, accurate dates and addresses, and the terms of sale. If you're selling the artwork, consider this your commercial invoice or the ultimate bill of sale. For art exhibitions, opt for the proforma invoice.
The need for an export license varies based on the destination country and the age of your artwork. Don't set sail without checking the legal requirements beforehand – securing the right export licenses ensures a hiccup-free voyage for your precious creations.
Enter the world of Harmonized System (HS) codes, a universal language for classifying traded products. The U.S. relies on a 10-digit Schedule B number to classify products for export. Find your magic number here and make sure you're fluent in the appropriate HS codes for both the origin and destination countries. It's your key to navigating customs duties and taxes.
When your art adventure is confined within borders, the focus shifts to domestic shipping. Here's how to ship art domestically for a smooth local ride:
Ensure your artwork is securely packed, with a wide range of extra layers of protection for any unexpected bumps in the road. Domestic shipping may seem less daunting, but a sturdy packaging strategy is still your best defense against transit mishaps.
Selecting the right shipping company is pivotal for a successful domestic art journey. Research carriers are known for handling delicate cargo with care and consider options that offer insurance coverage to add an extra layer of security, as we've discussed.
Though domestic shipping may feel less risky, unforeseen events can still pose a threat. Explore insurance options to protect your artwork during transit. It's the safety net that ensures your piece of art arrives at its destination unscathed.
While not as intricate as international shipments, maintaining records remains crucial. Keep a checklist of the artwork's condition, take photos, and document any packaging or handling instructions. These records can be invaluable if issues arise during domestic transit.
Shipping art demands meticulous planning and an eagle eye for details. The right packaging materials and a reliable shipping partner are your secret weapons in guaranteeing your masterpiece reaches its destination unscathed. At Unival Logistics, we don't just deliver your items; we promise peace of mind.
Whether your art is bound for the next town or across the globe, we've got you covered with reliable and affordable shipping, coupled with full-value insurance. Armed with the insights on how to ship art shared in this post, rest easy, focus on your craft, and remember the timeless adage, "Better safe than sorry."
Because when it comes to shipping artwork, your peace of mind is as priceless as the art itself!
Latest blogs
The 4 Most Important Shipping Documents for Domestic Shipments
Tue, Jan 30th 2024, 23:31
Continue Reading →
Essential Advice for Packing and Shipping Fine China to Customers
Thu, Jan 11th 2024, 00:11
Continue Reading →
What Is the Chain of Custody in Logistics & Why Is It Important?
Tue, Dec 26th 2023, 01:47
Continue Reading →
Categories
defaultNo post data.
No querystring data.
| Query | Affected | Num. rows | Took (ms) | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SELECT `Content`.`id`, `Content`.`slug`, `Content`.`parent_id`, `Content`.`lft`, `Content`.`rght`, `Content`.`keywords`, `Content`.`description`, `Content`.`title`, `Content`.`long_title`, `Content`.`header_bar`, `Content`.`body`, `Content`.`redirect`, `Content`.`icon`, `Content`.`created`, `Content`.`modified` FROM `unival_logistics`.`content` AS `Content` WHERE `slug` LIKE 'how-to-ship-art%' LIMIT 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | maybe slow |
| SELECT `BlogPost`.`id`, `BlogPost`.`user_id`, `BlogPost`.`blog_id`, `BlogPost`.`autor_name`, `BlogPost`.`title`, `BlogPost`.`slug`, `BlogPost`.`body`, `BlogPost`.`images`, `BlogPost`.`description`, `BlogPost`.`keywords`, `BlogPost`.`active`, `BlogPost`.`deleted`, `BlogPost`.`archived`, `BlogPost`.`tags`, `BlogPost`.`created`, `BlogPost`.`modified`, `BlogPost`.`lng`, `BlogPost`.`index`, `BlogPost`.`canonical`, `BlogPost`.`blog_author_id`, `BlogPost`.`intro_image`, `BlogPost`.`title_seo`, `User`.`id`, `User`.`email`, `User`.`password`, `User`.`public_id`, `User`.`active`, `User`.`tokenhash`, `User`.`avatar`, `User`.`created`, `User`.`modified`, `User`.`secret_2fa`, `User`.`code_2fa`, `Blog`.`id`, `Blog`.`title`, `Blog`.`description`, `Blog`.`active`, `Blog`.`deleted`, `Blog`.`created`, `Blog`.`modified`, `Blog`.`lng` FROM `unival_logistics`.`blog_post` AS `BlogPost` LEFT JOIN `unival_logistics`.`users` AS `User` ON (`BlogPost`.`user_id` = `User`.`id`) LEFT JOIN `unival_logistics`.`blog` AS `Blog` ON (`BlogPost`.`blog_id` = `Blog`.`id`) WHERE `slug` LIKE 'how-to-ship-art%' LIMIT 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | maybe slow |
| SELECT `BlogPost`.`id`, `BlogPost`.`user_id`, `BlogPost`.`blog_id`, `BlogPost`.`autor_name`, `BlogPost`.`title`, `BlogPost`.`slug`, `BlogPost`.`body`, `BlogPost`.`images`, `BlogPost`.`description`, `BlogPost`.`keywords`, `BlogPost`.`active`, `BlogPost`.`deleted`, `BlogPost`.`archived`, `BlogPost`.`tags`, `BlogPost`.`created`, `BlogPost`.`modified`, `BlogPost`.`lng`, `BlogPost`.`index`, `BlogPost`.`canonical`, `BlogPost`.`blog_author_id`, `BlogPost`.`intro_image`, `BlogPost`.`title_seo` FROM `unival_logistics`.`blog_post` AS `BlogPost` WHERE `active` = '1' ORDER BY `created` desc LIMIT 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | maybe slow |
| SELECT COUNT(*) AS `count` FROM `unival_logistics`.`blog_post` AS `BlogPost` WHERE `BlogPost`.`id` = 117 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| SELECT `BlogPost`.`id`, `BlogPost`.`user_id`, `BlogPost`.`blog_id`, `BlogPost`.`autor_name`, `BlogPost`.`title`, `BlogPost`.`slug`, `BlogPost`.`body`, `BlogPost`.`images`, `BlogPost`.`description`, `BlogPost`.`keywords`, `BlogPost`.`active`, `BlogPost`.`deleted`, `BlogPost`.`archived`, `BlogPost`.`tags`, `BlogPost`.`created`, `BlogPost`.`modified`, `BlogPost`.`lng`, `BlogPost`.`index`, `BlogPost`.`canonical`, `BlogPost`.`blog_author_id`, `BlogPost`.`intro_image`, `BlogPost`.`title_seo`, `User`.`id`, `User`.`email`, `User`.`password`, `User`.`public_id`, `User`.`active`, `User`.`tokenhash`, `User`.`avatar`, `User`.`created`, `User`.`modified`, `User`.`secret_2fa`, `User`.`code_2fa`, `Blog`.`id`, `Blog`.`title`, `Blog`.`description`, `Blog`.`active`, `Blog`.`deleted`, `Blog`.`created`, `Blog`.`modified`, `Blog`.`lng` FROM `unival_logistics`.`blog_post` AS `BlogPost` LEFT JOIN `unival_logistics`.`users` AS `User` ON (`BlogPost`.`user_id` = `User`.`id`) LEFT JOIN `unival_logistics`.`blog` AS `Blog` ON (`BlogPost`.`blog_id` = `Blog`.`id`) WHERE `BlogPost`.`id` = 117 LIMIT 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| SELECT `BlogPost`.`slug`, `BlogPost`.`title` FROM `unival_logistics`.`blog_post` AS `BlogPost` LEFT JOIN `unival_logistics`.`users` AS `User` ON (`BlogPost`.`user_id` = `User`.`id`) LEFT JOIN `unival_logistics`.`blog` AS `Blog` ON (`BlogPost`.`blog_id` = `Blog`.`id`) WHERE `BlogPost`.`id` < 117 AND `Blog`.`id` = 1 ORDER BY `BlogPost`.`id` ASC LIMIT 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| SELECT `BlogPost`.`slug`, `BlogPost`.`title` FROM `unival_logistics`.`blog_post` AS `BlogPost` LEFT JOIN `unival_logistics`.`users` AS `User` ON (`BlogPost`.`user_id` = `User`.`id`) LEFT JOIN `unival_logistics`.`blog` AS `Blog` ON (`BlogPost`.`blog_id` = `Blog`.`id`) WHERE `BlogPost`.`id` > 117 AND `Blog`.`id` = 1 ORDER BY `BlogPost`.`id` ASC LIMIT 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| SELECT `Blog`.`id`, `Blog`.`title`, `Blog`.`description`, `Blog`.`active`, `Blog`.`deleted`, `Blog`.`created`, `Blog`.`modified`, `Blog`.`lng` FROM `unival_logistics`.`blog` AS `Blog` WHERE `Blog`.`active` = '1' | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| SELECT `BlogPost`.`id`, `BlogPost`.`user_id`, `BlogPost`.`blog_id`, `BlogPost`.`autor_name`, `BlogPost`.`title`, `BlogPost`.`slug`, `BlogPost`.`body`, `BlogPost`.`images`, `BlogPost`.`description`, `BlogPost`.`keywords`, `BlogPost`.`active`, `BlogPost`.`deleted`, `BlogPost`.`archived`, `BlogPost`.`tags`, `BlogPost`.`created`, `BlogPost`.`modified`, `BlogPost`.`lng`, `BlogPost`.`index`, `BlogPost`.`canonical`, `BlogPost`.`blog_author_id`, `BlogPost`.`intro_image`, `BlogPost`.`title_seo` FROM `unival_logistics`.`blog_post` AS `BlogPost` WHERE `BlogPost`.`blog_id` = (1) | 89 | 89 | 3 | |
| SELECT `Setting`.`id`, `Setting`.`name`, `Setting`.`nice_name`, `Setting`.`value`, `Setting`.`order`, `Setting`.`created`, `Setting`.`modified` FROM `unival_logistics`.`setting` AS `Setting` WHERE `Setting`.`name` = 'HEADER_TOP' LIMIT 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| SELECT `Setting`.`id`, `Setting`.`name`, `Setting`.`nice_name`, `Setting`.`value`, `Setting`.`order`, `Setting`.`created`, `Setting`.`modified` FROM `unival_logistics`.`setting` AS `Setting` WHERE `Setting`.`name` = 'HEADER' LIMIT 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| SELECT `Setting`.`id`, `Setting`.`name`, `Setting`.`nice_name`, `Setting`.`value`, `Setting`.`order`, `Setting`.`created`, `Setting`.`modified` FROM `unival_logistics`.`setting` AS `Setting` WHERE `Setting`.`name` = 'FOOTER' LIMIT 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Peak Memory Use 5.46 MB
| Message | Memory use |
|---|---|
| Component initialization | 1.39 MB |
| Controller action start | 1.49 MB |
| Controller render start | 2.90 MB |
| View render complete | 3.26 MB |
Total Request Time: 52 (ms)
| Message | Time in ms | Graph |
|---|---|---|
| Core Processing (Derived from $_SERVER["REQUEST_TIME"]) | 23.58 | |
| Event: Controller.initialize | 1.90 | |
| Event: Controller.startup | 0.35 | |
| Controller action | 7.74 | |
| Event: Controller.beforeRender | 3.46 | |
| » Processing toolbar data | 3.37 | |
| Rendering View | 6.16 | |
| » Event: View.beforeRender | 0.03 | |
| » Rendering APP/View/Themed/Unival1/BlogPosts/view.ctp | 0.52 | |
| » Event: View.afterRender | 0.01 | |
| » Event: View.beforeLayout | 0.01 | |
| » Rendering APP/View/Themed/Unival1/Layouts/content.ctp | 5.19 | |
| » » Rendering APP/View/Themed/Unival1/Elements/menu/menu_top.ctp | 3.37 | |
| » » Rendering APP/View/Themed/Unival1/Elements/menu/menu.ctp | 0.60 | |
| » » Rendering APP/View/Themed/Unival1/Elements/footer.ctp | 0.59 | |
| Event: View.afterLayout | 0.00 |
.105 per ton-mile. Reducing truck transport and opting for the optimal rail transload facility can help increase expense savings through rail.</p> <h2>Rail Freight and Intermodal Strategy</h2> <p>Intermodal is the use of two or more freight transporting modes. When combining rail and road, trains are utilized for the long-haul chunk of the transport. Trucks are used to ship loads from the origin to the terminal and then from the terminal to the recipient, known as drayage.</p> <p><strong>Using rail freight as part of an intermodal strategy has many benefits</strong>, which you can discover below.</p> <h2>Rail Freight Is Eco-Friendly</h2> <p>Given the current state of our environment, caring for it is imperative. From an ecological point of view, rail freight is a great transport alternative compared to air, sea, and road freight. <strong>The biggest advantage of rail freight is the reduction of CO2 emissions</strong>. Compared to other transport modes, rail freight leaves the smallest carbon footprint.</p> <p>For example, air freight consumes 138 tons of CO2, and the combination of air and sea consumes approximately 76 tons of CO2. However, rail freight consumes only 5 tons of CO2 over the same distance. That’s why, now more than ever, rail freight deserves more attention.</p> <h2>Rail Transportation Is Safe and Efficient</h2> <p>Railway safety has notably improved over the past couple of decades. Now, <strong>rail transportation is one of the safest shipping options</strong>. With steady investments in railway infrastructure, routings, tracks, terminals, and border crossing stations, there’s a significant enhancement in the performance of rail freight.</p> <p>Moreover, GPS tracking in trains prevents theft and losses, protecting the goods in transit. Since carriers can locate their customers’ shipments and follow up on milestones, they can deliver information on container position and detect if something unexpected happens during the transportation.</p> <h2>Rail Freight Is Fast and Reliable</h2> <p><strong>Rail freight is a fast and reliable shipping mode</strong> with shorter lead times when compared to sea freight. Although not always possible, there are many situations when rail freight is a more optimal choice than other transport modes.</p> <p>For instance, one of the biggest challenges for companies with production in China is the long lead times to northern Europe when shipping by sea. Sea shipping from China to that part of Europe typically takes around seven weeks.</p> <p>With rail freight, the shipping times can be cut in half, significantly reducing the lead time. Shorter lead times can make it easier to predict business operations and costs, positively impacting capital binding.</p> <p>In addition, rail freight transport is a <strong>punctual mode of transport</strong>. Compared to sea and road freight which can be subjected to bad weather and congestion, not much can hinder the rail path, reducing the risk of unexpected delays.</p> <h2>Are There any Drawbacks of Rail Transportation?</h2> <p>Intermodal containers experience a lot of movement during transit that can damage their contents. There’s a risk of a denied claim if cargo isn't appropriately blocked and braced by rail standards.</p> <h2>Rail Freight Shipping Can Be Your Optimal Choice</h2> <p>Rail shipping has many benefits and very few drawbacks. Apart from being extremely reliable, rail freight is also cost-effective. On top of that, it leaves the smallest carbon footprint compared to other shipping modes.</p> <p>With rising challenges in sustaining our environment, it’s vital to do everything we can to reduce CO2 emissions and reduce the impact of global warming. For those reasons, using rail freight as a part of intermodal strategy can be an optimal choice for many companies that wish to see improvement in our environment.</p> <p><a href="https://unival-logistics.com/">Unival Logistics</a> provides end-to-end logistic solutions and we always choose optimal routes, so that your packages arrive on time and cause the least amount of pollution. You can also take out <a href="https://unival-logistics.com/package-insurance">full-value insurance for high-value goods</a>, track your packages in real-time, and integrate your business with Unival’s API.</p> <p>If you need a logistics partner that combines traditionally effective methods of transport with modern solutions, contact Unival Logistics.</p> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://unival-logistics.com/rail-freight" }, "headline": "What You Need to Know About Rail Freight", "description": "Rail freight is reliable, fast, and green and can be an excellent choice for various businesses. Learn more about it on this page.", "image": "https://dev.unival-logistics.com/img/train-on-tracks.jpg", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Unival Logistics", "url": "https://unival-logistics.com/" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Unival Logistics", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://unival-logistics.com/theme/Unival1/images/unival-logo-new.svg" } }, "datePublished": "2022-07-01", "dateModified": "2022-12-01" } </script>
| Constant | Value |
|---|---|
| CONFIG | /home/clone/public_html/app/Config/ |
| DEFAULT_LANGUAGE | en |
| Constant | Value |
|---|---|
| APP | /home/clone/public_html/app/ |
| APP_DIR | app |
| APPLIBS | /home/clone/public_html/app/Lib/ |
| CACHE | /home/clone/public_html/app/tmp/cache/ |
| CAKE | /home/clone/public_html/lib/Cake/ |
| CAKE_CORE_INCLUDE_PATH | /home/clone/public_html/lib |
| CORE_PATH | /home/clone/public_html/lib/ |
| CAKE_VERSION | 2.10.22 |
| CSS | /home/clone/public_html/app/webroot/css/ |
| CSS_URL | css/ |
| DS | / |
| FULL_BASE_URL | https://clone.unival-logistics.com |
| IMAGES | /home/clone/public_html/app/webroot/img/ |
| IMAGES_URL | img/ |
| JS | /home/clone/public_html/app/webroot/js/ |
| JS_URL | js/ |
| LOGS | /home/clone/public_html/app/tmp/logs/ |
| ROOT | /home/clone/public_html |
| TESTS | /home/clone/public_html/app/Test/ |
| TMP | /home/clone/public_html/app/tmp/ |
| VENDORS | /home/clone/public_html/vendors/ |
| WEBROOT_DIR | webroot |
| WWW_ROOT | /home/clone/public_html/app/webroot/ |
| Environment Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| Php Version | 7.4.33 |
| Php Fcgi Max Requests | 99999 |
| Phprc | /home/clone/fcgi-bin/../etc/php7.4 |
| Pwd | /home/clone/fcgi-bin |
| Shlvl | 0 |
| Path | /usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin |
| Content Length | 0 |
| Http Connection | close |
| Script Name | /app/webroot/index.php |
| Request Uri | /how-to-ship-art |
| Query String | |
| Request Method | GET |
| Server Protocol | HTTP/1.1 |
| Gateway Interface | CGI/1.1 |
| Redirect Url | /app/webroot/how-to-ship-art |
| Remote Port | 20149 |
| Script Filename | /home/clone/public_html/app/webroot/index.php |
| Server Admin | [no address given] |
| Context Document Root | /home/clone/public_html |
| Context Prefix | |
| Request Scheme | https |
| Document Root | /home/clone/public_html |
| Remote Addr | 216.73.216.40 |
| Server Port | 443 |
| Server Addr | 51.81.35.24 |
| Server Name | clone.unival-logistics.com |
| Server Software | Apache |
| Server Signature | |
| Http Host | clone.unival-logistics.com |
| Http Accept Encoding | gzip, br, zstd, deflate |
| Http User Agent | Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com) |
| Http Accept | */* |
| Ssl Tls Sni | clone.unival-logistics.com |
| Https | on |
| Db Name | clone |
| Db Pass | |
| Db User | clone |
| Script Uri | https://clone.unival-logistics.com/how-to-ship-art |
| Script Url | /how-to-ship-art |
| Redirect Status | 200 |
| Redirect Ssl Tls Sni | clone.unival-logistics.com |
| Redirect Https | on |
| Redirect Db Name | clone |
| Redirect Db Pass | |
| Redirect Db User | clone |
| Redirect Script Uri | https://clone.unival-logistics.com/how-to-ship-art |
| Redirect Script Url | /how-to-ship-art |
| Redirect Redirect Status | 200 |
| Redirect Redirect Ssl Tls Sni | clone.unival-logistics.com |
| Redirect Redirect Https | on |
| Redirect Redirect Db Name | clone |
| Redirect Redirect Db Pass | |
| Redirect Redirect Db User | clone |
| Redirect Redirect Script Uri | https://clone.unival-logistics.com/how-to-ship-art |
| Redirect Redirect Script Url | /how-to-ship-art |
| Fcgi Role | RESPONDER |
| Php Self | /app/webroot/index.php |
| Request Time Float | 1761380357.1778 |
| Request Time | 1761380357 |