Shipping artworks and antiques: the complete guide

You have acquired an artwork or an antique at an auction, or you need to send a fragile item to a buyer. Shipping artworks requires special precautions: specific packaging, adapted insurance, choosing the right carrier. This guide explains everything you need for a successful delivery.

The specifics of shipping artworks

Unlike a standard parcel, an artwork presents several challenges:

• Fragility : a painting can be damaged by an impact, a temperature change or poor handling.
• volumetric weightFor a painting of 80×60×10 cm: (80×60×10)/6000 = 8 kg. Even if the painting weighs only 2 kg, you will pay for 8 kg. : a framed painting is light but very bulky, which drives the price up.
• Value : an artwork is often worth far more than a standard parcel. Insurance is crucial.
• Dimensions : a large painting can exceed the standard limits of carriers.

How to pack an artwork properly?

Packaging is the key to a successful shipment. Here is the professionals' method:

For a painting

• Surface protection : bubble wrap over the entire surface, on both the paint side and the frame side.
• Reinforced corners : cardboard or foam corner protectors on all four corners.
• Double cardboard : rigid corrugated cardboard at least 5 mm thick.
• Stretch film : to hold everything together and protect against moisture.
• Marking : write "FRAGILE" and the parcel orientation.

For a sculpture or a bulky item

• Individual packaging : each piece packed separately in tissue paper or bubble wrap.
• Padding : crumpled kraft paper or packing peanuts to fill all the empty spaces.
• Double cardboard : the "box-in-a-box" technique with 5 cm of padding between the two.

Which carrier for an artwork?

Standard carrier with precautions

For works of modest value (under €500), a carrier like our partner via AuctionShip can be suitable, provided you respect the shipping rules: max weight 30 kg, max length 120 cm, max girth 150 cm. Check the accepted dimensions →

Carrier specialised in artworks

For works of high value (over €5,000), it is better to use a specialised carrier. The cost is higher but the insurance and handling are adapted.

Insuring artworks during transport

Insurance is a critical point:

• Basic insurance : included in the price, but limited (≈€23/kg). Not enough for a valuable work.
• Additional insurance : offered by some carriers under conditions (AddOnLiabilityService).
• Private insurance : for very high-value works, take out a specific transport insurance policy.

The limits to know

• Max weight per parcel : 30 kg
• Max length : 120 cm
• Max girth (L + W + H) : 150 cm
• Max value for standard shipments : €5,000

Tips to save money

• Dismantle the frames where possible — this reduces the volumetric weight.
• Group several works in a single shipment.
• Use a negotiated service like AuctionShip.
• Compare : the price of a specialised carrier can be 5 to 10 times higher.

📖 Also read:
→ Complete guide to shipping for auctions
→ Colissimo vs private carrier: comparison 2026
→ How to save on shipping costs