As an art collector, you love your pieces. They’re more than just items that hang on the walls of your home. They’re a part of you. If you’re an artist looking to ship your work abroad, you probably have the same concerns. You want to ensure your work arrives in pristine collection and that the buyer or museum loves it. Anyone who needs to ship art to a customer or loved one internationally encounters the same shipping dilemmas. Follow these tips to ensure your precious goods get where they need to be on time and in great shape. In no time, your own personal Mona Lisa will be looking beautiful in another country.
Now is the time to ship to any international friends and relatives. The holiday weeks are stressful enough on shippers small and large and delays are unavoidable. Getting your shipments done now will ensure any international friends and relatives will get their gifts on time, and will also help save you money!
Packaging
First off, you’ll want to make sure your art is packed and secured properly. Wrap it tight. Be sure to protect it too. Purchase the right materials to ensure it doesn’t break during shipping. Packing peanuts and bubble packaging can help. But you may want heavy duty shipping gear if you’re sending something larger like a sculpture. The last thing you want is to see it damaged when you’re overseas. The San Francisco Arts Commission suggests using a pallet to keep all your items together and safe.
Find a Reliable Shipping Company
This step is key. You’ll want to call around to inquire about rates and ask the company how they ship goods. Good questions to ask include: how often do you ship internationally? Have you handled artwork? Shipping internationally usually involves filling out plenty of paperwork including customs forms. An experience freight forwarding agent can make this a breeze.
Navis offers a high-quality crating system that will take care of this for you. We build you a custom crate designed to protect your pieces, then pack it with the perfect amount of cushioning. You can even get a free quote before you decide to commit. Plus, the Navis team has plenty of experiencing shipping internationally and can handle the paperwork for you.
Insurance
Many shipping companies will offer insurance for high-priced goods like your artwork in case it’s damaged during travel. You’ll want to have it appraised so you can purchase the right amount of insurance to meet your needs.
Check Tracking
If your work is being flown or shipped via ship (ha!), you may be able to get a tracking number to see just where it is. Check this frequently to make sure it’s set to arrive on time.
Budget for Time
Since not all artwork can be shipped via air, you’ll want to ensure you plan for this in plenty of time. If it’s going across the sea, it will take more time to get to its destination. Plan accordingly.
Contact Navis today to have your artwork packaged and delivered. In no time, your masterpiece will be in a different country and looking fabulous.
Image: Flickr
By Steve Goble, VP of Marketing Communications for Navis Pack & Ship. When he's not spilling packing and shipping secrets, he's spending time with his family at a San Diego Padres or Chargers game. Connect with Steve on Google+ and LinkedIn.
