Last updated: 13 March 2026

How to Ship Artwork from Cape Town Internationally

A practical guide to packing, insuring, and shipping fine art from South Africa — covering paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and mixed media. Written by the official carrier of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair.

What Is Art Shipping?

Art shipping — also called art logistics or fine art transport — is the specialist handling, packing, and transportation of artworks between locations. It begins with proper fine art packing — wrapping, padding and boxing paintings and framed works for safe transit. Unlike standard courier services, art shipping accounts for the unique vulnerabilities of artwork: sensitivity to temperature and humidity, fragility of frames and surfaces, and the often irreplaceable nature of the pieces.

South Africa has a thriving contemporary art scene, with Cape Town as its epicentre. The Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Zeitz MOCAA, Norval Foundation, and dozens of commercial galleries generate a constant flow of artwork moving between South Africa and international collectors, galleries, museums, and art fairs in London, New York, Basel, and Dubai.

Art Shipping from South Africa: Key Facts

• R2.4 billion — estimated value of South Africa’s art market (Southern Guild / Strauss & Co data, 2024).
• HS code 9701 — the customs code for original paintings, drawings, and pastels. Sculptures fall under 9703. Getting this right means zero or reduced import duty in most countries.
• 0% import duty — original artworks (HS 9701) enter the EU, UK, and USA duty-free. The buyer only pays local VAT/sales tax.
• 1-3%* — typical transit insurance premium for artwork, based on declared value.
• 70% of art damage claims are caused by inadequate packaging, not courier mishandling (AXA Art Insurance data).

Step 1: Packaging and Crating

Packaging is the single most important factor in whether artwork arrives safely. The method depends on the type of work, its size, and the shipping method.

Artwork Type	Packaging Method	Estimated Cost
Framed painting (under 1m)	Mirror box with foam corners, cardboard art box	On request
Framed painting (over 1m)	Custom wooden crate with foam lining	On request
Unframed canvas (rolled)	Acid-free tissue, tube with end caps	On request
Sculpture (small)	Custom foam cavity, double-wall box	On request
Sculpture (large/heavy)	Custom wooden crate, museum-grade	On request
Ceramics / glass	Individual foam wrapping, suspended in crate	On request

Critical rule: Never let glass touch cardboard. Never stack paintings face-to-face without a separator. Always use acid-free materials against the artwork surface — regular tissue or newspaper can cause staining over time.

Step 2: Choose Your Shipping Method

There are three main ways to ship artwork from Cape Town internationally, each suited to different scenarios:

International Courier (FedEx / DHL)

Best for: Pieces under 30kg and under 1.5m in any dimension. This covers most framed paintings, small sculptures, and rolled canvases.

Transit time: 3-5 business days to Europe, USA, UAE, and Australia.

Cost range: R1,500-R8,000* per piece depending on size, weight, and destination. Commercial rates through a logistics partner are typically 40-60% lower than retail counter rates.

Pros: Fast, door-to-door, includes basic customs clearance, full tracking. Cons: Size and weight limits, handling is general (not art-specialist).

Air Freight (Cargo)

Best for: Large, heavy, or multiple pieces. Oversized crates that exceed courier limits. Art fair shipments with many works going to the same destination.

Transit time: 5-10 business days including customs clearance at both ends.

Cost range: R15,000-R80,000+* depending on crate dimensions and destination. Charged by volumetric weight.

Pros: Handles any size, can be climate-controlled, specialist art handlers at major airports. Cons: More expensive, requires customs broker at both ends, longer overall transit.

Sea Freight

Best for: Large collections, gallery relocations, estate shipments, or when speed is not a priority.

Transit time: 4-8 weeks depending on destination and shipping line schedules.

Cost range: R20,000-R100,000+* for a shared container or dedicated crate within a groupage shipment.

Pros: Most cost-effective for large volumes, handles any size. Cons: Slow, higher risk of humidity damage, requires fumigation certificate for wooden crates.

Step 3: Arrange Transit Insurance

Standard courier insurance caps at R5,000-R10,000* per shipment — nowhere near enough for most artwork. You need dedicated transit insurance (also called marine cargo insurance or nail-to-nail cover) that covers the full declared value of the piece.

Transit insurance typically costs 1-3%* of the declared value. A painting worth R100,000 costs roughly R1,000-R3,000* to insure for a single international shipment. For frequent shippers, annual blanket policies are more cost-effective.

Key considerations: ensure the policy covers “all risks” including accidental damage, not just total loss. Check whether the policy covers the artwork while in temporary storage (e.g., at a customs warehouse). And keep photographic condition reports — front, back, corners, and any existing damage — taken immediately before packing.

Step 4: Customs Documentation

Every artwork leaving South Africa requires customs documentation. Getting this right avoids delays, unexpected duties for the buyer, and potential seizure of the artwork at the destination.

Documents You Need

• Commercial Invoice — Artist name, title of work, medium, dimensions, year, declared value in the sale currency, and country of origin (South Africa).
• HS Code — Use 9701.10 for paintings/drawings/pastels, 9701.90 for other original artworks, 9703 for sculptures. Original artworks under these codes enter most countries duty-free.
• Certificate of Authenticity — Not legally required for customs, but many galleries and collectors expect it, and it strengthens your customs declaration.
• SAHRA Permit — The South African Heritage Resources Agency requires an export permit for South African objects of artistic interest (art, furniture, applied art) that are 50 years or older, and for antiquities over 100 years old; objects made by a living person are exempt. Apply at least 30 days before shipping. This catches many people off guard.
• Fumigation Certificate — Required if using wooden crates for sea freight or air cargo to certain countries (notably Australia, New Zealand, USA). The wood must be ISPM-15 treated and stamped.

Import Duty by Destination

Destination	Import Duty on Original Art	VAT / Sales Tax
United Kingdom	0%**	5% (reduced rate for art)
European Union	0%**	Varies: 5.5% France, 7% Germany, 10% Italy
United States	0%**	0-10% (varies by state)
UAE / Dubai	0%**	5% VAT
Australia	0%**	10% GST
Hong Kong	0%**	0% (no sales tax)

Note: These rates apply to original artworks classified under HS 9701 and 9703. Prints, reproductions, and posters are classified differently and may attract higher duty.

For the customs classification of your work, see our guide to art HS codes (Chapter 97).

The 5-Step Art Shipping Process

Whether you’re a gallery shipping a sold work, an artist sending to an exhibition, or a collector relocating a collection, follow these five steps:

1. Condition report — Photograph the artwork from all angles before touching it. Note any existing damage. This is your baseline for any insurance claim.
2. Professional packing — Match the packing method to the artwork type (see table above). Use acid-free materials. For anything worth over R20,000, custom crating is non-negotiable.
3. Transit insurance — Arrange all-risk cover for the full declared value. Get the policy in place before the artwork is collected.
4. Customs documentation — Prepare the commercial invoice with correct HS codes. Check SAHRA permit requirements. Arrange fumigation certificate if using wooden crates for sea/air cargo.
5. Ship and track — Use a courier or freight forwarder experienced with art. Share tracking details with the recipient. Confirm delivery condition against the original condition report.

Shipping Artwork for Art Fairs

Art fair logistics have specific requirements beyond standard gallery shipping. Fairs operate on tight schedules — late arrivals mean empty booth walls on opening night.

Key considerations for art fair shipping from Cape Town:

• Book early — International art fair shipping should be arranged 4-6 weeks before the fair’s receiving date. Last-minute air freight rates can be 3x the normal cost.
• Use the fair’s appointed shipper or verify independently — Some fairs mandate a specific logistics provider at destination. Others allow any shipper to deliver to the receiving dock.
• Plan the return — Unsold works need to come back. Build return shipping into your budget from the start. Temporary import bonds may apply at the destination to avoid duty on works that will be re-exported.
• ATA Carnet — For works travelling to fairs and returning to South Africa, an ATA Carnet (temporary import/export document) eliminates duty and simplifies customs at both ends. Apply through the South African Chamber of Commerce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ship Artwork with JLog

JLog is Cape Town’s specialist art logistics provider and the official carrier for the Investec Cape Town Art Fair. We handle everything from custom crating and condition reports to international courier and freight forwarding, customs documentation, and transit insurance arrangement.

Based in Woodstock — 10 minutes from the Cape Town CBD and major galleries. Same-day collection available.

Get an Art Shipping Quote

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Related Services and Routes

• Custom Crating Services
• Ship from Cape Town to London
• Ship from Cape Town to New York
• Ship from Cape Town to Dubai
• Ship from Cape Town to Sydney
• Customs Clearance Services
• Import Duty Calculator
• All Logistics Guides

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