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Guide to Shipping Art Internationally: Tips and Challenges

India is home to diverse cultures, and every culture has its own set of traditional arts. The artefacts industry is considered one of the largest sectors of employment, especially for women, with over 7 million artisans employed along the way. 

Shipping artworks or artefacts internationally is a complex process that includes logistics, cultural exchange between countries, economic opportunities for people, and connecting people globally. Whether you are an artist, gallery owner, or collector, the journey of an artwork or artefact from one location to another is not just a physical movement but also a sharing of culture, values, and heritage. It builds international relationships and expands the reach of marketplaces for artists.

This blog will help you understand the significance of shipping art internationally while explaining some steps to safely transport artworks and some tips and practices that can be followed for a safe and smooth shipping process.

Significance of Shipping Art Internationally

Art transcends geographical boundaries and serves to connect cultures and individuals across the globe. Shipping art pieces internationally plays an important role in the international art market, as it allows artists to connect with a wide range of audiences and showcase their diverse talents and collections. Here are a few reasons justifying the significance of shipping art internationally:

  1. Art helps people from different locations to exchange their cultural values, traditions, perspectives, etc., thus, fostering an understanding and appreciation among them. 
  2. It expands the market reach of galleries and artists by increasing the visibility and potential sales of their work globally.
  3. It preserves the cultural heritage and values of the art work that is showcased and praised worldwide.
  4. The international art market creates multiple important economic opportunities for artists, shippers, galleries, and insurers.
  5. The shipping of international art pieces also contributes to art education by making diverse artwork accessible to researchers, students, and art enthusiasts internationally. Students and other people learn from the works of art and gain a deeper understanding of the different art, techniques, styles, cultures, etc.
  6. Art is an investment, as art collectors across the globe participate in international auctions and art fairs at different levels and trade high-value art work.

Why Should You Start Artefact Exports From India?

India has a rich and diverse cultural heritage with invaluable and unique artefacts and artworks. Here are a few reasons why you should start exporting artefacts from India to other locations:

  1. India has a diverse cultural history that offers a different range of artefacts, from ancient sculptures and paintings to historic-classic art. Such a variety of artworks and artefacts cater to people’s varied tastes globally and make the artworks highly desirable in international markets.
  2. There is a growing demand for Indian art and artefacts, as collectors and museums around the globe are attracted to the uniqueness, quality, and cultural aspect of Indian artworks.
  3. After the launch of Govt.’s Atma Nirbhar campaign, almost 70000 exporting houses in the country are promoting the export of local artistry from India. The top artefact exporters in India have production houses in these regions – 
    • Assam for Terracotta Works
    • Saharanpur for Woodworks 
    • South India for Coconut Crafts and Mask Making 
    • Rajasthan for Silver and Brass Artware, Paintings
  4. Since artefacts are marginally more expensive than other export products, making worldwide sales helps to balance the pricing margin with profit results and acquire dedicated customers. Sale of limited edition art also helps deliver a strong marketing strategy for the rest of your products – creating scarcity and urgency both at the same time. 
  5. India has favourable trade agreements with different countries for exports, which helps art importers or exporters reduce tariffs, duties, or other barriers by making Indian artworks and artefacts more visible in international markets.

Steps To Effortlessly Ship Art Globally

Shipping art to other international locations needs careful preparation and compliance with shipping procedures to ensure safe and legal transport. Some of the significant steps that help to ship artworks and artefacts internationally are:

  1. Assessing the type of the artwork or artefact: It is important to assess and judge the type, fragility, and value of the artwork or artefact being shipped. This pre-assessment will help the sender and buyer choose appropriate packaging materials, insurance, and shipping methods.
  2. Choosing the right packaging materials: When you know the type of artwork that needs to be shipped, it is important to choose and use the right packaging materials (which include bubble wrap, acid-free tissue paper, custom crates, foam, etc.) to ensure that the artwork is protected during transportation.
  3. Documentation: Ensure that necessary documents, like the commercial invoice, bill of landing, licences, certificates, etc., are prepared. Prepare the documents as per the customs and regulations of the destination country to avoid any delays and penalties.
  4. Choosing a shipping service provider: The shipping service provider plays an important role in shipping artwork internationally, as they are the ones who protect the artworks and artefacts during transportation. Since artwork and handicrafts are relatively high-priced, you can budget on the overall cost while shipping internationally by choosing an affordable shipping partner, which not only provides reasonable shipping rates and quicker transit time for global deliveries but also helps you track the package until delivery at the final destination. Choosing the right shipping service provider is important to ensure that the courier is safe.
  5. Insurance: It is important to opt for comprehensive coverage for the artwork to protect it from any damages, losses, or theft during transportation. Consider the terms and conditions of the insurance policy carefully to choose the right insurance coverage.
  6. Tracking the courier: Shipping service providers provide tracking and monitoring services to buyers and sellers to check shipments’ progress and ensure that they reach their destination on time.

What are the Challenges Involved in Shipping Art Internationally?

Shipping artwork and artefacts internationally includes multiple challenges that need to be addressed with careful planning. Some of the major challenges that people commonly face include:

  1. Fragility: The artworks or artefacts are usually very fragile and sensitive to different environmental conditions, like light, temperature, humidity, etc. It is crucial to ensure that the packaging and transportation conditions are right to avoid any damages.
  2. Compliance with regulations: Shipping internationally is a very complex process that includes different trade regulations, customs, duties, restrictions on imports and exports, etc., which can be challenging for anyone without proper understanding and documentation.
  3. Risk of loss or damage: There is always a risk of loss, damage, or theft while transporting internationally. These risks can be minimised by having proper packaging, handling, insurance, a reliable shipper, etc.
  4. Delivery: To ensure timely delivery while maintaining the safety and security of the artefacts and artworks is challenging. There can be delays in custom cleaning and transportation, which can impact sales or schedules.
  5. High costs: Special packaging and handling of the artwork during transportation also cost extra money, which makes the process expensive.
  6. Legal issues: In case of any unforeseen conditions like damage or loss, the terms and conditions should be written clearly in the contract or agreements signed by the importer and exporter. You must communicate effectively and ensure proper compensation in case of any issues.

Tips and Best Practices Suggested for a Smooth Shipping Experience

Shipping artwork and artefacts needs careful planning, deep understanding, and attention to ensure safe and prompt delivery. Here are a few tips and practices to ensure a smooth international shipping experience:

  1. Choosing a reliable shipping service provider: Research properly and choose an experienced and expert shipping service provider that can handle your artwork efficiently. Look at customer reviews, feedbacks, insurance provided, liability terms, and references while booking any shipping service.
  2. Using proper packaging: Using high-quality and protective packaging, including foam, bubble wrap, protectors, etc., is suggested while transporting any delicate or sensitive artwork internationally. Temperature-controlled or environmentally sensitive packaging should be opted for in the case of sensitive artworks.
  3. Documentation: Obtain all the important export and import licences, permits, certificates, documents, declarations, etc. to avoid any legal issues or delays at the destination.
  4. Prohibited items: Double check the restricted items or prohibited materials list of the destination country or location before transporting an artwork or artefact.
  5. Insurance coverage: Choose insurance coverage that covers all risks and ensures that the artwork being shipped is valued carefully for insurance purposes. Before choosing any insurance coverage, understand the policy and terms clearly.
  6. Alternative routes: Have an alternative route prepared in case of any hindrances (natural disasters, political issues, etc.) and set aside an emergency fund to cover any possible unexpected costs.

Summary

Shipping valuable art is a tricky business, as it requires a balance of careful planning, compliance with regulations, and a problem-solving approach. The international art market opens different aspects and horizons for artists, collectors, and galleries by exchanging India’s rich cultural values and heritage in international markets. Regardless of multiple challenges like compliance, risk, cost, fragility, etc., careful planning and implementation can change these challenges into strategies that ensure effortless shipping.

International artwork shipping could be a piece of cake if done with the right shipping partner by your side. That not only helps to avoid delays and hassles in customs but also assures protection for your shipment. If you are looking for a reliable shipping of your artworks and artefacts, ShiprocketX can help you find the right courier partner that can ensure a fast and safe delivery. With ShiprocketX, you can ship your artefacts and artworks to 220+ countries and territories with minimum shipping documentation. 

sumana.sarmah

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