When it comes to transporting works of art, the choice of carrier is crucial. Works of art are often fragile, of great or little value, and require special care to avoid any risk of damage during transport. Some shipping companies offer services specially adapted to works of art, with tracking, insurance and packaging options to suit.
The most common shipping companies
The shipping companies are ranked here from the most reliable to the least recommended, in my experience. After more than 400 shipments around the world, I've had the opportunity to go through each of these agencies to send my work, and so to test their service.
1. DHL
DHL is one of the most renowned companies for the shipment of works of art, particularly due to its specific services for the transport of high-value and fragile objects. With its global network, DHL offers a wide range of solutions and insurance to protect works of art. The company also offers real-time shipment tracking and responsive customer service, giving shippers peace of mind. DHL offers a service called DHL Express Easy, which is often preferred for art shipments because of its speed and high insurance. The customisation options allow you to choose tailor-made solutions for specific pieces, whether sculptures, paintings or other delicate objects. On the other hand, it is also the most expensive agency, whether for domestic or international shipping. I've never had to contact after-sales service, as I've never had any problems with shipments.
2. UPS
UPS is another internationally recognised transport company. UPS offers standard and express shipping options, with tracking numbers. UPS also offers service options such as UPS Express Critical, which is specially designed for high-value items that require urgent and secure transport. This service is ideally suited to shipments of works of art, as it minimises transit times and ensures optimum security conditions during transport. This is probably the shipping company I have used the most to send my works of art around the world. It offers good value for money. On the other hand, customer service is not very efficient when there are logistical problems. None of my shipments have arrived damaged, but I have had returns due to errors in UPS logistics when shipping internationally.
3. Chronopost
Chronopost is a French company specialising in national and European express delivery. It is particularly recommended for shipments within France or to European destinations. Chronopost offers fast solutions with guaranteed delivery within 24 hours to a large part of the country, which is ideal for urgent and national shipments. The Chrono Relais service provides secure delivery with relay points where works can be collected in complete safety. Chronopost also offers insurance cover for fragile items, although this is often less comprehensive than that offered by DHL. Nevertheless, for fast transport in France, Chronopost remains a reliable and efficient option.
4. TNT
TNT, a subsidiary of FedEx, is an attractive choice for shipping works of art in Europe and around the world. Specialising in express deliveries, this company is particularly appreciated for its speed and well-structured transport network. TNT offers several insurance options for fragile items, with full tracking of the shipment. TNT is recommended for works that require fast delivery but not necessarily special packaging solutions. The company also offers customisation options, although these are generally less extensive than those of DHL or UPS. For shipments within Europe, TNT is therefore an attractive and reliable choice, although there are some limitations when it comes to transporting very valuable items.
5. FedEx
FedEx is an international transport company known for its reliability and global coverage. It is able to handle shipments of works of art thanks to its tracking and valuables management options. However, although FedEx offers insurance, its packaging options for fragile items can be less flexible than those of DHL or UPS. FedEx does, however, offer a service called FedEx Custom Critical for very valuable items, with extremely short delivery times and dedicated handling for fragile items. For works of art requiring fast and secure international shipping, FedEx remains an attractive option, but it may not be as specialised for very fragile or high-value works.
6. Colissimo
Colissimo is a delivery service offered by La Poste in France. It is generally chosen for national shipments and for small to medium-sized works of art. Although Colissimo is more affordable than other specialist carriers, its tracking and insurance options are limited for high-value items. Colissimo remains an economical choice for less fragile works of art, or when insurance is not a top priority. However, for works of great value or very delicate items, it is advisable to opt for a more specialised carrier such as DHL or UPS.
Remember to protect your contents before using Colissimo, as the word "fragile" does not exist for them. Standard-sized parcels are sorted mechanically, and the machines do not take the contents into account. When parcels are non-standard in size, they are handled manually by operators, but Colissimo is not known for offering special care in handling. Please note: when you send your parcels abroad, it is the postal organisation in the destination country that takes over delivery to the end customer. Personally, I've often had to deal with delivery delays, which can sometimes be considerable.
Mondial Relay is an option often chosen for low-budget national and European deliveries. This service works mainly via relay points, which can be practical for small works of art or less fragile objects. However, Mondial Relay does not offer specific guarantees for high-value items or insurance options tailored to works of art. Mondial Relay is an option to consider if you are sending a low-value or well-protected work of art. However, this carrier is not recommended for works of art of high value or requiring extra protection. Good to know: Mondial Relay delivers to your door in certain countries such as Switzerland.
8. Colis Privé
Colis Privé is a French carrier specialising in home parcel delivery. Although it can be used for low-value shipments of works of art, this service is not recommended for high-value or highly fragile items, as it offers few tracking and protection options specifically tailored to works of art. For large shipments of works of art, it is preferable to opt for a company that offers insurance guarantees and detailed tracking, such as DHL or UPS. Colis Privé remains an option only for economical shipments of well-protected objects that are not very fragile. In truth, I've only used their service once and was quite disappointed; I've never tried it again. It is therefore preferable to rely on other points of view than mine.
You can book your shipments directly on these companies' websites or in their branches. You can also use brokers (comparators) to obtain lower shipping rates. We'll look at this subject in a separate article on "shipping company comparators".
In any case, no matter which shipping company you choose, it is best to provide strong and secure packaging. There are ready-made packaging options, but they can be expensive and are not always available in the desired formats.
I made a video to show you how to create custom packaging: https://www.artinsolite.com/en/post/how-to-package-a-painting
Agencies specialized only in the shipping of works of art
There are also companies that specialise exclusively in transporting works of art. Of course, their rates are much higher than those of the agencies mentioned above, but they provide expert handling and enhanced security, which can prove indispensable for precious pieces. Here are a few examples:
Paris, France
An international specialist in the transport of works of art and exhibitions, LP ART is the partner of choice for museums, galleries and collectors.
Paris, France
For over 45 years, Bovis Fine Art has been a partner to art professionals for the transport, handling, packaging and storage of works of art in France and abroad.
Paris, France
TransExpo offers a range of art delivery and handling services, including specialised transport solutions to meet the needs of the most demanding clients
Bennwihr Gare, France
Artrans specialises in the transport of works of art in France and abroad, offering services tailored to museums, galleries, foundations and private individuals.
Paris, France
Convelio is an expert in transporting works of art, offering tailor-made solutions for galleries and collectors, with guaranteed security and reliability.
These companies offer a wide range of services, including specialised packaging, secure transport, customs formalities and storage adapted to works of art. We recommend that you contact these agencies directly to obtain detailed information about their services and choose the one that best suits your specific needs.
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