Fine Art - Transporting works of art: a practical guide

The leading cause of damage to works of art is transport. To secure the removal or delivery of this type of fragile goodsyou need to think carefully about packagingchoose the shipping method and take out a specific type ofinsurance. Here's everything you need to know about transporting works of arta delicate operation that should only be entrusted to an an expert.

What is art transportation?

Art transportation involves moving any valuable physical artistic creation (painting, sculpture, figurine, etc.) from point A to point B. Known as Fine art "in logistics jargon, this type of operation is particularly delicate. There is very little tolerance for error, as the object being transported is unique and often very precious. It must arrive at its destination undamaged.

Moving a work of art therefore requires real expertise and a great deal of care. Load breaks, for example, are to be avoided. They involve docking, unloading and reloading in another vehicle, which puts the product at risk.

Transshipment periods should also be kept to a minimum. These are storage phases which expose the merchandise to additional risks of shock. Moving a valuable artistic object has its own specificities, which differ from those of conventional goods transport. We'll explain these below.

How do you package a valuable artistic creation and move it around?

Packaging a work of art is a key issue for any type of transport. Whatever the distance to be covered, the packaging must protect the object from any potential impact or risk of perforation. It must also be impervious to various transport conditions such as humidity and dust.

To absorb vibrations and counter the risk of breakage, shimming is necessary for this type of complex logistical operation. The choice of materials depends on the art object being transported. To pack a work of art as securely as possible, 4 steps are necessary.

1. Wrap artwork in cushioning material

It's important to protect your painting or sculpture with the right material before shipping. This material must be anti-scratch, anti-shock and electrostatic. The aim is to anticipate all risks and protect the product. To achieve this, you can choose between several types of wedging:

• bubble wrap ;
• kraft paper (ecological alternative) ;
• polyethylene foam sheets (ultra-protective) ;
• tissue paper (luxury padding) ;
• Tivek film (pH neutral and scratch-resistant).

2. Protect the corners of the art object

During transport, the corners of a framed painting, for example, are the first to chip. Special attention must be paid to these elements. Cardboard or foam corner protectors are ideal for protecting the work to be moved. Adhesive protective pads are also useful if the packaging is larger than the work of art. This absorbs vibrations and shocks throughout the logistical process.

3. Select the right packaging format

The choice of packaging in which your artwork will travel is crucial. The classic cardboard or wooden box is far from being the only option. It's a good idea to consult a fine art expert to find the solution best suited to your needs.

For a framed picture, for example, you can opt for a postal cross case. Adjustable in height and with cardboard edges, it's highly protective. A cardboard box with built-in foam is ideal for transporting fragile goods. It is scratch- and shock-resistant. For sculptures, a wooden crate is often recommended.

4. Reinforce the packaging closure

To finalize your product packaging, use quality plastic stretch film. It's moisture-resistant. It also keeps your package as compact as possible. Want to keep the contents of your delivery discreet? Choose black plastic film. For a more eco-responsible image, wrap it in kraft paper. But whatever you do, your packaging should be marked "Fragile". This will guide handlers through the transport process.

What mode of transport is best suited to moving a painting or sculpture?

As a general rule, conventional freight forwarding advocates pooling. This means taking on various folders, parcels or pallets belonging to different customers to form a single delivery round and optimize logistics costs. However, the carrier of a work of art is obliged to deliver it without a break in load. Depending on the product, its constraints, its specific features and the distance to be covered, the shipping method for a valuable object differs...

Road transport

The delivery driver drives to the delivery site with an empty vehicle. He collects the parcel and delivers it to the specified address as directly as possible. This is what we call dedicated transport. The aim is to keep the logistical steps involved to a minimum, and thus the handling involved.

Maritime transport

Shipment by boat is the least expensive option. However, it is suitable for heavy and not very fragile objects. The mechanical handling of containers is generally rough. Neither you nor your carrier have any control over loading and unloading. This mode of shipment also has a very long crossing time, very uncertain delivery times and insecurity that depends on the port...

Air transport

Does your work of art have to cross the sea to reach its destination? Air travel is the safest mode of transport. Shipping valuable paintings or art sculptures requires special measures. The company must be specialized in this kind of service to guarantee the safety of the merchandise.

Rail transport

The TGV is ideal for transporting a valuable artistic object quickly and safely between two city centers. This is provided that your product is not too bulky. The lender and insurance company must also agree.

What documents are required for the international delivery of a work of art?

Regulations governing the international transport of works of art are very strict. International customs services are very attentive to the transit of these high-value goods, to counter the trafficking that plagues this field.

Preparing customs documents

Every country has its own obligation to declare works of art. Tax and customs charges depend on the country of shipment and destination, the type of piece, its commercial value and the VAT rate applied locally. In France, for example, the calculation is based on the CIF method. This involves import duties and taxes, which are calculated on the basis of the item's selling price and shipping costs. The government sets a minimum threshold of €22 and a VAT rate of around 20%.

The following documents are required for the international transit of artistic creations:

• commercial invoice ;
• tax documents ;
• shipping labels ;
• various certificates if applicable.

Take out an art transit insurance policy

While proper packaging is essential for a work of art to travel, it is not sufficient to guarantee total security. That's why it's important to take out insurance specifically for fine art. It offers you complete protection.

A conventional insurance policy covers the risk of breakage and loss, provided that the carrier is actually liable. Companies set indemnities according to, among other things, the shipping method, the weight of the goods and the distance covered.

That said, the value of an art object is not proportional to its weight. We therefore advise you to opt for ad valorem insurance. This will enable you to define the indemnities according to the actual value of the art object shipped.

Fine art: what you need to know

Every art object is unique and often very precious. Its security during a move from a museum to a showroom, or a delivery following a new acquisition, is of the utmost importance. It's essential to call on a carrier who specializes in this type of complex logistical operation. He will be able to advise you and adapt the service to your needs and constraints.

At D&fi Groupe, we handle the end-to-end logistics process for works of art. Thanks to our national and international network, we offer our customers a global service. Entrusting us with the transportation of your works of art means having a single point of contact and guaranteeing you :

• tailor-made, highly protective packaging;
• secure shipping ;
• efficient customs management thanks to our customs service in over 200 countries ;
• adapted transport thanks to our network of partner companies;
• an insurance contract offering the best guarantees.