Shipping fine art doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re a gallery preparing for an international exhibition, a collector moving a sculpture across borders, or an artist shipping a one-of-a-kind painting, fast, secure, and cost-effective art shipping is essential.

Yet for years, the process has been opaque and inefficient. Traditional art logistics services often require clients to wait 48 to 72 hours just to receive a shipping quote — a delay that doesn’t reflect the pace or professionalism of today’s global art market. Convelio was founded to change that.

As a specialist in fine art shipping and international transport, Convelio developed a proprietary pricing algorithm that delivers instant, fully transparent quotes in under 30 seconds. This innovation redefines what clients should expect from modern art shipping services — speed, accuracy, and excellent service across every shipment. And now, we’ve gone one step further.

Our new AI Quoting Agent, currently in beta, brings real-time quoting to a new level. Instead of filling out forms, users can submit invoices or simply type their request in plain language. Within seconds, they receive a precise, bookable quote — backed by expert art handlers, global logistics partners, and a full range of packaging and customs clearance solutions.

At Convelio, we believe art logistics should match the quality of the art itself — seamless, professional, and built for the world stage.

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Key Factors Influencing Art Shipping Costs

Shipping artwork isn’t one-size-fits-all. Prices can range from a few hundred to several thousand euros depending on the type of artwork, destination, and level of care required. That’s why Convelio’s instant quoting system uses a range of dynamic variables to provide accurate, real-time pricing tailored to each shipment.

Here’s what goes into determining your art shipping cost:

Dimensions and Artwork Value

Size and value are the two most important pricing inputs. A fragile sculpture or large oil painting requires more protection and handling than a small framed drawing — and higher declared value means more insurance and customs complexity. Convelio’s system uses these inputs to calculate packing, crating, and risk-related costs with precision.

Expert tip: Two similarly sized pieces can have vastly different shipping costs because declared value directly impacts insurance rates, customs risk, and packing materials. A €5,000 painting may require museum-grade crating, while a €500 one might only need soft packing. — Icham Harhouz, Drivers and Art Handlers Team Lead, Convelio

Try Our AI Quoting Agent. Get Real-Time Pricing Without Forms.

Pickup and Delivery Locations

Geography matters.

We offer fine art shipping services to and from over 100 international destinations, with local and cross-border pricing models based on:

• Distance
• Customs zones
• Route complexity
• Risk profiles

Whether you’re shipping within the EU or managing an international shipment to the U.S., Asia, or the Middle East, delivery routes significantly affect cost.

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Type of Delivery Service

Clients can select from multiple service levels to match their needs and those of the recipient:

• Door-to-Door (Porte à Porte): Delivered outside your home or building. Simple and efficient for standard shipments.
• White Glove (Gants-Blancs): Includes professional indoor placement, unpacking, and debris removal — ideal for private collectors, galleries, or museums. This service requires an insurance certificate.
• Assembly (Assemblage): Offers unpacking and assembly in the room of your choice. While packaging removal isn’t included, it ensures proper installation of more complex or multi-part works. Also requires insurance coverage.

Each option is backed by expert art handlers trained in the specific demands of fragile sculpture, paintings, antiques, and large-format artworks.

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Packaging and Crating Requirements

Not all artwork is pre-packed — and even if it is, not all packing is equal.

• Pre-packed items (already boxed or crated) can reduce costs.
• Custom crating is recommended for high-value or fragile art pieces, offering tailored protection against shock, humidity, and vibration during international shipping.
• Materials like foam-in-place, double-wall cartons, or museum-standard wooden crates are used depending on the artwork’s specific needs.

At Convelio, custom packing and crating are integrated directly into your quote when requested.

Expert tip: Crating isn’t just about protection, it’s also about compliance. A well-crated item is less likely to be flagged at customs or damaged in transit. Custom crates can even be reused for multiple exhibitions, making them a smart investment for frequent shippers. — Julien Lacroix, US Operations General Manager, Convelio

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Customs Formalities, Duties, and Taxes

When shipping art internationally, customs procedures can significantly impact both pricing and timing.

Convelio provides full support with:

• Export licenses and import declarations
• Customs clearance documentation
• Accurate HS classification codes for all types of art

For shipments to the United States:

• There is no VAT on art imports under U.S. law.
• However, a Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) of 0.3456% of the item’s value is applied (min. $27.75, max. $538.40).
• Customs duties vary by classification. For example, fine art is often exempt under Chapter 97, but antiques and design pieces may incur duties.

Check out Art Transport VAT Guide: EU & International Rules

Incoterms: Who Pays for What?

How you structure your shipment matters — especially for tax and customs billing.

• DAP/DDU (Delivered at Place / Delivered Duty Unpaid): Convelio handles customs paperwork, but the final client pays duties and taxes separately.
• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): A fully inclusive shipping service where all duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are included in the quote. Ideal for businesses that want to bill clients a single, fixed price.

We recommend DDP for a seamless experience with complete transparency for both buyer and seller.

Expert tip: DDP is ideal for galleries and auction houses shipping to clients, it avoids customs confusion and presents a unified cost. Use DDP when you want maximum control and transparency for international transactions.

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The Impact of U.S. Tariffs: What Changed in 2025

In 2025, U.S. tariff changes reshaped the global art shipping landscape. While most fine art remains legally protected, design objects, antiques, and mixed-material artworks are now subject to significant new duties — making compliant paperwork and strategic planning more critical than ever.

Fine Art Remains Protected — But Not Always in Practice

Legally, original artworks such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, and limited editions are exempt from U.S. tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and specific chapters of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) — notably Chapter 97 and Chapter 49.

This exemption is rooted in the idea that art represents protected cultural expression under the First Amendment. However, customs enforcement is inconsistent, and final classification often depends on the officer reviewing the documentation.

To avoid misclassification, art handlers and logistics teams must prepare meticulous documents that clearly demonstrate the object’s artistic nature and eligibility for tariff relief.

Design Objects, Furniture & Antiques: Now Facing Duties

Items that fall outside the protected scope of Chapter 97 — including:

• Antiques (typically over 100 years old)
• Design furniture and decorative objects
• Functional pieces made with mixed materials (e.g., metal, wood, or glass)

…are now subject to:

• A 10% base tariff, and
• An additional 25% surcharge if the item contains steel or aluminum — bringing total duties to 35% or more for some shipments, particularly those originating from China.

These changes impact auction houses, private collectors, and galleries shipping to the U.S., especially when dealing with sculptural or hybrid works that blend form and function.

Operational Disruptions and Market Reactions

The 2025 tariff changes caused:

• Customs bottlenecks and delays — including detentions of high-value art pieces
• Suspension of B2C shipments by some major couriers for works over $800 in declared value
• A shift toward using specialized art logistics providers with customs expertise

For art logistics companies, understanding the nuances of customs procedures is now vital to ensure secure, compliant delivery — and avoid surprise costs.

Read Our Full Guide to 2025 U.S. Tariff Changes

How Convelio Helps Manage Costs and Complexity

In today’s environment of evolving tariffs, inconsistent customs enforcement, and rising international shipping costs, precision and planning are non-negotiable. At Convelio, we’ve built our platform and services to remove complexity from the process — offering tools, expertise, and structure to deliver true peace of mind for every shipment.

Streamlined Quoting That Reflects Real-World Complexity

Our proprietary quoting system delivers instant fine art shipping quotes in under 30 seconds, accounting for dimensions, destination, packaging needs, and customs risk.

For even more flexibility, our AI Quoting Agent allows clients to upload invoices, screenshots, or simply type a natural-language request — returning a tailored, bookable quote within seconds.

This innovation is especially useful for galleries, private collectors, and auction houses managing multiple shipments or preparing for time-sensitive events.

Try Our AI Quoting Agent. Get Real-Time Pricing Without Forms.

Learn More About Convelio's AI Quoting Agent

Expert Guidance from Logistics and Customs Specialists

Behind every quote is our global network of expert art handlers and customs advisors, who review your shipment to ensure regulatory accuracy and shipping efficiency.

From custom packing recommendations to navigating U.S. trade classifications, our team ensures every item is protected — physically and legally — across borders.

Meticulous Documentation That Prevents Delays

Convelio clients benefit from pre-built documentation templates and expert review, helping avoid misclassification, delays, or unnecessary duties.

We ensure your paperwork includes:

• Clear country of origin (not just country of dispatch)
• Accurate HTS classification, such as 9701.10 for original paintings
• Explicit exemption language for Chapter 97 fine art
• Detailed material disclosure for works containing metals (e.g., percentage of aluminum or steel)
• Descriptions that emphasize artistic or intellectual value, avoiding utilitarian or design-only language

Proper documentation significantly increases your chances of favorable customs clearance, especially under the latest U.S. rules.

Get Our Free Documentation Templates

Air Cargo Over Courier for High-Value or Exempt Artworks

While standard courier services like DHL or FedEx rely on automated classification systems, Convelio recommends Air Cargo for most fine art shipments.

Why? With Air Cargo, our dedicated customs brokers can directly manage clearance, reducing the risk of:

• Duty misclassification
• Inspection delays
• Rejected exemptions

This is especially valuable for fragile sculpture, antiques, and large-scale custom crating that require human oversight during the customs process.

Discover More About Freight Solutions at Convelio

Integrated Art Logistics Solutions Under One Roof

Convelio offers a full suite of art logistics solutions built for the international art world — all managed through a single point of contact:

• Art shipping and transport (door-to-door, white glove, or air cargo)
• Customs clearance and compliance
• Fine art insurance
• Flexible local storage in the U.S. and other key art hubs for exhibitions or delayed sales
• Long-term inventory planning for galleries and dealers

Our goal is to offer a seamless experience that reduces cost, simplifies coordination, and ensures artworks arrive in perfect condition — every time.

Practical Steps for Clients: Compliance, Cost Control, and Risk Reduction

Navigating today’s art shipping environment requires more than just choosing the right carrier. Between shifting customs regulations, rising tariffs, and the high value of fine art, well-prepared clients can dramatically reduce costs, avoid delays, and ensure secure delivery across international borders.

Here’s what you should be doing before your next international shipment:

1. Know What Qualifies for Tariff Exemption

If you’re shipping to the U.S., verify that your artwork qualifies under HTS Chapter 97, which includes:

• Original paintings (9701.10)
• Sculptures and statuary (9703.00)
• Antiques over 100 years old (9706.00)
• Certain prints and engravings (9702.00)

2. Prepare Meticulous Paperwork

Well-structured, accurate documentation is the most powerful tool you have include:

• Artist name, title, year, and medium
• Dimensions and declared value
• Country of origin
• HTS code and exemption statement
• Material breakdown (if applicable, e.g., percentage of steel/aluminum)
• Description focused on the artistic and intellectual nature of the work

This reduces the risk of customs detention — especially for fragile sculpture, mixed-material pieces, and antiques.

3. Identify Non-Exempt Items Early

Not all art objects qualify for Chapter 97 protection. If your shipment includes:

• Design furniture
• Decorative pieces
• Functional objects
• Mixed-media works with commercial materials

…then you may face standard import duties, or worse, misclassification without the right documentation.

Plan accordingly, especially for works that straddle the line between art and design.

4. Choose the Right Shipping Method

For high-value or exempt artwork:

• Use Air Cargo over standard couriers for improved documentation control
• Choose custom crating and packing built for international shipments
• Opt for Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) to include all customs costs upfront — a popular option for private collectors and institutions seeking predictable billing

Work only with expert art handlers who understand the legal nuances and physical requirements of transporting fine art globally.

Explore Our Shipping Methods

5. Partner with a Trusted Art Logistics Company

Compliance, protection, and peace of mind come from experience. A logistics partner like Convelio offers:

• Real-time quotes with customs logic built in
• Integrated shipping, packing, storage, and customs clearance
• Access to specialist customs brokers
• Support with paperwork, exemption claims, and risk strategy
• Tailored solutions for art dealers, galleries, and collectors

Our clients consistently report smoother, faster, more reliable international shipments — and a more transparent view of cost at every step.

I strongly recommend Convelio for national and international transportation of valuable art pieces. I purchased items all over France—from big wooden furniture to fragile pieces like paintings, ceramics, and alabaster pendant lights. Convelio picked them up, stored them securely, and shipped them to Greece professionally and on time. I was informed throughout the journey, which was very reassuring, as these unique, non-replaceable pieces hold high personal value. Well done, Convelio team! — A. Verzeroli, Convelio Client

The international shipping of fine art in 2025 demands more than transport—it requires strategy, legal awareness, and deep logistical expertise. With evolving U.S. tariffs, stricter customs procedures, and rising demand for global reach, the risks of delay, misclassification, or unexpected cost have never been higher.

Convelio helps clients—from private collectors and galleries to museums and auction houses—move confidently through this complexity. By combining real-time pricing, expert handling, customs clearance, and custom packing, we provide a seamless experience that aligns with the standards of the art world itself.

Our mission is simple: to elevate art logistics to match the care, precision, and trust that fine art deserves.

Whether you’re shipping a single oil painting or managing a multi-piece international collection, Convelio offers the tools, people, and global network to ensure your artwork is shipped securely, compliantly, and in perfect condition—from pickup to final destination.

Ready to simplify your next shipment?

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does it cost to ship a painting internationally?

The cost to ship a painting internationally typically ranges from €80 to €400, depending on the painting's size, weight, value, and destination. For larger or high-value works, costs may exceed €1,000. Convelio’s instant quoting tool provides precise estimates based on your shipment details.

2. What factors affect the cost of shipping fine art?

Key cost drivers include:

• Dimensions and weight of the artwork
• Declared value (affects insurance and customs)
• Packaging or crating requirements
• Shipping method (courier vs. air cargo)
• Delivery location and customs clearance needs

3. Is it cheaper to ship framed or unframed artwork?

Unframed artwork is usually cheaper to ship. Frames add weight and require more protective packaging, which increases shipping and crating costs. If safe to do so, shipping rolled or flat-packed unframed artwork can reduce your total cost.

4. Can I get an instant quote for shipping artwork?

Yes. Convelio offers instant quotes via our online platform. Simply enter your artwork’s size, weight, and destination or upload your invoice, and our AI-powered quoting system will return a bookable price in seconds.

5. What’s the safest way to ship valuable art?

The safest way to ship valuable art is by using:

• Custom-built crating or museum-grade packaging
• Air Cargo (instead of automated courier systems)
• White glove delivery or professional art handlers
• Full insurance coverage for transport and handling

6. What is HTS Chapter 97 and how does it apply to artwork?

HTS Chapter 97 is a customs classification that covers original artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and antiques. Items properly classified under Chapter 97 are often exempt from duties when imported into countries like the U.S. — but the exemption depends on the item’s description, age, and intended use.