Art Logistics in Cape Town

Art Logistics at a Glance

Art logistics is not standard cargo handling. Every artwork is unique. Every piece has a market value, a cultural significance, and in many cases, irreplaceable provenance. The chain of custody matters. Condition matters. Security matters. Speed matters too—but never at the expense of safety.

JLog specialises in this. We collect artwork from galleries and studios. We pack and crate it for domestic delivery or international export. We navigate customs requirements. We arrange insurance. We deliver to collectors’ homes, galleries, auction houses, and hotels. We coordinate with art fairs, manage multi-gallery logistics, and handle high-value temporary loans.

This is our everyday business. We do it right because we know the cost of failure.

Gallery Collection and Delivery

When a gallery loans artwork to another gallery, exhibition, or collector, the logistics are more complex than standard freight. The artwork must be collected carefully, documented photographically, packed to museum standards, tracked throughout the journey, and delivered with ceremony—not dumped off the back of a truck.

JLog manages this end-to-end. We:

• Collect artwork from galleries and studios on a flexible schedule that suits exhibition timings
• Create condition reports with photographic evidence (before packing, after packing, upon delivery)
• Pack and crate to archival standards—museum-quality tissue, acid-free padding, custom crates where needed
• Arrange insurance and provide documentation for lending galleries
• Deliver with white-glove service—careful uncrating, placement assistance, installation support
• Handle returns and deinstallations when exhibitions conclude

Art Fair Logistics (ICTAF, RMB Latitudes & Decorex)

Art fairs are controlled chaos. Galleries arrive with multiple artworks. Setup is happening in parallel. Timing is compressed. Weather is a factor (especially in Cape Town). Coordination is essential.

As official carrier for the Investec Cape Town Art Fair and the RMB Latitudes Art Fair, JLog manages:

• Pre-event collection of artworks from gallery storage and studios
• Consolidated transport to the venue on schedule
• Unloading and placement support on booth setup day
• Secure storage for artworks in reserve or between sessions
• Post-event collection of unsold or damaged artwork
• Handling of sold artwork for buyer delivery

We have also managed logistics for Decorex Cape Town and other design-focused events. The principle is the same: we coordinate across multiple gallery partners to make their event participation seamless.

Crating for Artworks

Artwork requires specialised crating. We build custom crates for sculptures, large-scale paintings, textiles, and mixed-media pieces. Each crate is:

• Built to exact dimensions (no oversizing, which adds weight and cost)
• Designed with internal bracing that supports the artwork without touching it
• Lined with archival tissue and acid-free padding
• Sealed and ventilated for the journey
• Marked with clear handling instructions and fragility labels

For paintings, we use corner supports that allow the frame to rest without stress. For sculptures, we design custom pedestals within the crate. For textiles, we use acid-free tissue and avoid direct contact with wood. No artwork sits directly on plywood.

Domestic and International Art Shipping

Within South Africa, we deliver artwork securely across all major cities—Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria. For international shipments, we have established relationships with specialist art shippers, insurance brokers, and customs agents in the UK, EU, and USA.

We manage:

• Export-grade crating that meets international standards
• Customs documentation for artworks leaving South Africa
• Insurance quotas and claims handling
• Carrier selection (air for high-value pieces, sea for consolidated shipments)
• Duty and VAT calculations
• Delivery coordination at the destination country

If you are selling artwork internationally or acquiring pieces from overseas, we handle the logistics so you can focus on the transaction.

Customs Clearance for Art Imports and Exports

Artwork crosses borders regularly. South African galleries import pieces from international artists. Collectors acquire artwork abroad. Dealers export for resale. Each movement requires customs documentation.

For exports, we provide:

• Export declaration (SAD—South African Customs form)
• Valuation for customs purposes
• CITES documentation (if required for endangered species materials)
• Temporary export permits for loaned artwork returning to source country

For imports, we manage:

• Import documentation and clearance
• Duty and VAT assessment (artwork may qualify for temporary import relief)
• Unpacking and condition inspection
• Delivery to final destination

Condition Reporting and Documentation

Condition is everything in art logistics. Before we pack, we photograph your artwork in natural light from multiple angles. We document any existing damage. We note surface condition, frame integrity, and mounting details. This creates a legal record of the item’s state at the moment we took custody.

Upon delivery, we photograph again. If any damage has occurred, we have proof of when it happened. This protects both you and your insurer.

We also provide written condition reports in a format that galleries, insurance brokers, and customs authorities accept.

Insurance Requirements

All JLog art shipments are fully insured for the declared value of the artwork. We can arrange this directly or work with your existing insurer. For high-value pieces (over R500,000), we recommend specialist fine art insurance, which we can coordinate.

Insurance is included in our quote. There are no separate premium surprises. And in the unlikely event of damage, we manage the claim process for you.

Why Trust JLog With Your Artwork

We are embedded in Cape Town’s art ecosystem. We work with galleries, museums, collectors, and artists every day. We are the official carrier for the Investec Cape Town Art Fair — the Southern Hemisphere’s premier contemporary art event — and the official carrier for the RMB Latitudes Art Fair. Both credentials are earned, not claimed.

Our team understands art. We understand conservation principles. We understand the value—financial and emotional—that artwork represents. We have zero tolerance for damage. Every piece is treated as if it were irreplaceable because, in many cases, it is.

We invest in the right materials, the right time, and the right people. We do not cut corners. And we are fully insured to cover the entire value of your artwork.