Private collectors, galleries, and artists often grapple with the complexities of transporting fine art safely, cost-effectively, and on deadline. In this guide, we answer nine bottom-of-funnel questions that signal clear purchase intent—covering who pays for shipping, the best methods for large-scale shipments, specialist shippers to request quotes from, and detailed breakdowns of costs, insurance budgeting, and lead times.
We also explain why platforms like Saatchi Art may charge significantly more than standard carriers, list art-shuttle services between major hubs like New York and Los Angeles, and highlight companies (including Union Fine Art Services) that specialize in installations and exhibitions. By leveraging this information, you can streamline your logistics, negotiate better rates, and choose a provider that aligns with your budget and timeline.
Does the gallery pay for shipping, or do artists cover the cost?
Standard Practice
In most gallery-artist agreements, artists are responsible for one-way shipping to the gallery, while galleries cover return shipping or onward delivery to clients. This arrangement ensures galleries can manage the final-mile logistics and control incoming condition assessments.
Negotiation Tips
- Written Agreement: Always formalize shipping terms in your consignment contract to avoid misunderstandings.
- Fee Waivers: Some galleries may waive return shipping fees if the artist agrees to a slightly lower commission rate.
- Prepaid Labels: Offering prepaid shipping labels can expedite gallery processing while preserving the artist’s control over carrier choice.
Union Fine Art Services can draft and review your shipping agreements, ensuring transparent terms and helping negotiate cost-sharing arrangements tailored to your needs. Visit Union Fine Art Services for consignment support.
What is the best and most affordable method to ship a 72″ × 48″ painting from NY to LA for a gallery show?
Crating and Packaging
Custom crating with foam lining and moisture barriers is essential for large canvases. Expect crate fabrication costs of $400–$600 for a piece this size.
Transportation Options
- Consolidated Art Shuttle: Shared-route services combine multiple shipments, reducing per-item costs. Fine Art Shippers offers a regular New York–Los Angeles shuttle for $1,200–$1,500, including basic handling.
- White-Glove Carrier: Dedicated van service guarantees exclusive use of the vehicle; anticipate $2,000–$3,000 depending on urgency and additional handling needs.
- Common Carrier (e.g., UPS Freight): Less specialized but cost-effective; prices start at $800–$1,000 for a crated package of this size, though extra fees may apply for liftgate service and residential pickup/drop-off.
Cost Breakdown Example
| Service Component | Estimated Cost (USD) |
| Custom Crate | $500 |
| Consolidated Shuttle | $1,300 |
| Insurance (1% value) | Variable |
| Total Estimated Range | $1,800–$2,000 |
Union Fine Art Services provides turnkey solutions, including crating, consolidated shuttle bookings, and insurance coordination, often reducing combined costs by up to 15%.
Which specialist art shippers should I ask for quotes on large-scale art shipments?
When requesting competitive bids, include these top-rated specialist shippers:
- Fine Art Shippers: Established in 1995, headquartered in NYC, offering domestic and international white-glove and shuttle services.
- Cadogan Tate: A UK-based leader with U.S. operations, known for museum-quality handling and climate-controlled transit.
- Gander & White: Provides weekly road shuttles between major art centers, including Miami, New York, and San Francisco.
- STAR Worldwide Group: Specializes in fine art moving, storage, and installation with global reach.
- Hangman Fine Art NYC: Offers regional shuttles, custom crating, and temperature-controlled storage in the Northeast.
- Crozier Fine Arts: Full suite of global logistics, storage, and installation services for institutions and private clients.
Request itemized quotations covering crate fabrication, handling, transport, and insurance to facilitate apples-to-apples comparisons.
Why is Saatchi Art charging $3,800 for shipping when DHL charges $800?
Underlying Factors
- Comprehensive Coverage: Saatchi Art’s fee bundles insurance, white-glove packing, door-to-door tracking, and consignment coordination—services that might be add-ons with standard carriers.
- Third-Party Markup: Platforms often include a handling surcharge to cover administrative overhead, packaging materials, and vendor management.
- Fixed-Rate Guarantee: Unlike variable carrier rates, Saatchi Art locks in shipping rates at listing time to provide price certainty to buyers—sometimes at a premium.
Cost Transparency Tips
- Unbundle Services: Compare the line-item costs for packaging, insurance, and freight to negotiate lower rates with independent shippers.
- Direct Carrier Engagement: If you already have trusted art-shipping providers, ship privately and manually upload proofs to platforms like Saatchi for commission purposes.
Which shipping companies or agents specialize in fine art handling and shipping?
Beyond those already mentioned, consider these niche experts:
- UShip: Facilitates bids from vetted art-transport carriers and provides insured quotes for special-care items.
- Clayton Fine Art: Midwest-based, specializing in international export compliance and customs brokerage.
- Momart: Renowned in Europe with advanced GPS tracking, unmarked vehicles, and museum-standard packaging.
- Momaa.org Cost Estimator: While not a carrier, their calculator helps forecast shipping expenses based on weight and distance.
Union Fine Art Services integrates with these networks, leveraging volume discounts and ensuring cohesive door-to-door logistic chains.
Which companies offer art shuttle services between major cities like NYC and LA, and how do their rates compare?
| Shuttle Provider | Route | Frequency | Approx. Rate (USD) |
| Fine Art Shippers | NYC ↔ LA | Weekly | $1,200–$1,500 |
| Gander & White | NYC ↔ SF (via LA) | Weekly | $1,300–$1,600 |
| Union Fine Art Services | NYC ↔ LA | Bi-weekly | $1,100–$1,400 |
| Hangman Fine Art | NYC ↔ Hamptons (regional) | Seasonal | $600–$800 |
Rates include consolidated handling but exclude crate fabrication and insurance. Each service offers varying delivery speeds and storage options; be sure to confirm cut-off dates for loading.
What shipping companies or agents specialize in handling fine art installations and exhibitions?
Exhibition logistics demand specialized installation crews, on-site project management, and advanced rigging expertise. Key providers include:
- Crozier Fine Arts: End-to-end exhibition support, including art fair services, site surveys, and 3D condition reporting.
- STAR Worldwide Group: Handles global itineraries, crating, customs clearance, and supervises install teams.
- Union Fine Art Services: Offers gallery installation, coordinating with local contractors, lighting, and hanging systems—ideal for museum and commercial spaces.
How much should I budget for shipping and insurance on a high-value art piece?
Shipping Costs
- Domestic (Large-Scale): $1,500–$3,000 (white glove)
- International: $3,000–$6,000 including customs brokerage
Insurance Premiums
- Standard Transit Insurance: 0.8–1% of declared value (per month).
- All-Risk Fine Art Policies: 1–3% annually, tailored for multi-leg exhibitions.
Example: For a $100,000 painting, allocate $1,000 for one month of transit insurance plus roughly $2,000 in shipping fees, totaling $3,000.
What’s the turnaround time and lead time for booking a professional art-shipping service?
- Lead Time for Quotes: 2–3 business days to secure competitive bids.
- Crate Fabrication: 5–7 business days for custom wood crates.
- Pickup to Delivery:
- Domestic: 3–7 business days door-to-door
- International: 7–14 business days (depending on customs)
- Domestic: 3–7 business days door-to-door
Union Fine Art Services typically requires a 10-day window from order confirmation to pickup, ensuring sufficient time for crate construction, insurance binding, and route planning. Rush services may be available for an additional fee.
By understanding these logistics—who pays what, methods to minimize costs, specialist shippers to compare, and realistic budgeting for shipping, insurance, and lead times—you can make informed decisions that balance cost-efficiency with the highest standards of art handling. For comprehensive, end-to-end support, consider partnering with Union Fine Art Services (unionfas.com), your one-stop solution for white-glove shipping, crating, insurance coordination, and installation management.