How to Ship Paintings and Canvas Art Internationally

Shipping paintings and artwork internationally with safety

Whether you are an art dealer or private collector shipping paintings and other art overseas, get a safe and cost-effective solution with Eurosender. We are aware of the challenges of shipping paintings and other artwork internationally. Use our logistics platform to get an instant quote for shipping paintings abroad and benefit from expert assistance at every stage of our co-operation. Feel the difference in just a few clicks.

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HOW TO SHIP

What services can you use to ship paintings internationally?

If you plan to send artwork and paintings overseas, consider the following solutions depending on the size and time-sensitivity of your shipment:

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HOW TO PACK

How to ship canvas paintings and art overseas

Please note that acrylic, oil and canvas paintings should not be rolled as this may damage them. Follow the instructions below for shipping canvas paintings internationally:

Cover the painted side with glassine paper. Fold the glassine against the edges of the painting and use some adhesive tape to secure it. Make sure the tape only covers the glassine and not the painting itself.
Tape the glassine-covered painting to a cardboard sheet or a foam board. Wrap the painting with plastic sheeting or put it into a bag. Seal the bag.
Protect the painting with at least two layers of bubble wrap. Add the corner protectors.
Sandwich the artwork between two sheets of plywood, Styrofoam or between two pieces of foam board and fix the structure with adhesive tape.
Put the sandwiched painting in the box. Surround it with cushioning materials. For extra safety, you can also put the box with the painting into a slightly bigger padded box.
Seal the outer box with adhesive tape. You can add “Fragile” labels on all sides of the box.

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How to package rolled paintings for shipping

If you consider shipping paintings or artwork without a frame internationally, you can send it in a mailing tube. Here is how you can send a rolled painting overseas by post or courier:

Put the artwork between two layers of glassine and roll it around the smaller mailing tube.
Secure the roll with a piece of adhesive paper. Make sure it can be easily removed.
Roll bubble wrap around the artwork. Do not forget to seal the wrapping completely to protect it against moisture and dust.
Insert the artwork into the tube. Fill extra spaces with bubble wrap. Make sure you do not damage the corners. Seal the tube.

Drawings, photographs and prints should be placed on the glassine with the image surface facing up. This way, you will roll them “face-in” and protect the image. Works on canvas, linen etc. should be placed on the glassine face-down so that the images are facing out when rolling the work. Do not roll such paintings inwards.

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FAQ about sending paintings overseas by post or courier

What is the best and safest way to ship paintings overseas?

At Eurosender, we recommend requesting an individual offer on our website for sending paintings and other artworks overseas or if you have particular requirements. Our logistics experts will prepare a fully customised shipping solution based on your needs and contact you with a free quote. We will arrange safe delivery by a reputable transport company offering the best price-performance ratio and you will enjoy the commodity of door-to-door shipping.

How much does it cost to send a painting overseas by post or courier?

If you intend to send a painting overseas by post, you will need to check the prices of the chosen postal service provider. If you are planning to ship paintings and other artwork abroad by courier through the Eurosender platform, the price will depend on the distance, the size of the shipment as well as the transport method selected.

What is the cheapest way to ship a large painting and other art internationally?

The cheapest way to ship paintings internationally is through our Standard Service. You can get an instant quote by inserting your shipping information in our booking tool below. This option is available if you are shipping within the EU.

If you are shipping large paintings or a greater quantity of artworks internationally, we recommend booking an Artwork Transport Service. You will get a van dedicated to your load and delivered directly to the destination, without any stopovers. There are less packaging requirements with our Van Service, however we still recommend packaging your paintings carefully for shipping to minimise the risk of damage.

How do I ship paintings and other art from the UK to the USA?

If you are shipping through art galleries, they will most likely handle the customs paperwork for you. If not, you will have to prepare the required shipping documentation and declare the value of the art piece(s). This will ensure a smooth transit through customs clearance in both territories. It is your responsibility as the shipper to check the duty payment requirements in advance to avoid delay or other inconveniences at a later stage. When preparing your shipment, follow our guidelines on how to pack and ship paintings to minimise the risk of loss or damage.

How do I send charcoal drawings abroad?

If you worry that your charcoal drawing will smudge before it reaches its destination, spray it with a workable fixative and add a couple of layers for extra protection. Then add glassine paper over the whole drawing. After that, you can follow our general instructions for sending canvas paintings and art pieces overseas.

How do I pack fine art prints for shipping?

Since the most common method of packing art prints for shipping is in a mailing tube, you can follow our guidelines for packing artworks rolled in a tube.

How do I ship unframed oil paintings internationally?

When shipping this type of artwork internationally, it is crucial to know the time when the painting was finished. Transporting a wet oil painting might be a challenge as it may take a long time for the oil to dry. If you need to send a wet oil painting by post or courier, you should make sure that nothing touches the painted surface. We suggest transporting it inside a thin crate. The guidelines for shipping a dried oil artwork are the same as those for sending paintings on canvas.

Is there any insurance for sending paintings by post or courier?

While almost all shipments booked through Eurosender are covered by basic insurance, most courier companies consider paintings and artwork as fragile items. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance that you package the paintings accordingly for shipping, as insurance will most likely not apply in the unlikely event of loss or damage. Depending on the value of the artwork you are sending, you can check our additional shipping insurance options or consult our logistics experts if you have any questions.

Find out how much it costs to ship a painting internationally