How to Avoid Artwork Shipping Disasters?

Posted by Platon88 on February 26th, 2023

You've probably heard terrible stories about fine art shipping mishaps, such as artwork getting lost in the mail or valuable goods being left out in the rain. These typical shipping mistakes, which vary from poorly handled items to inconsistencies on crucial shipping paperwork, can seriously limit a company's ability to realize its full potential. But, most of these tragedies are entirely avoidable and need little more than determination to eliminate.

You may prevent the most common mistakes while shipping artwork by following the expert guidelines below.

- Your Work Is Sent To An Incorrect Address

You may use the tracking number to trace your artwork in transit and estimate its arrival time, just like any other shipment. Though it is unlikely, you will be grateful to have this information if your artwork shipment is delayed or delivered to the incorrect address.
Several art shippers are modest businesses that do not give tracking information. In these circumstances, you should request contact information from the shipper, such as its firm name, phone number, and e-mail address.

- Your Artwork Is Broken During Transport

When shipping artworks or other high-value items, it is usual practice to get insurance, and the rates vary based on the artwork's value, weight, and size. The gallery or auction company will typically add insurance while planning shipment, but it is always a good idea to verify sure that this step is performed.
Insurance is an additional, but required, charge that assures you will be compensated if something goes wrong while your artwork is in route.

- Not Demanding a Delivery Receipt

Delivery receipt is essentially an end-of-shipment examination that determines whether or not freight was damaged during transit and whether or not the freight carrier is liable for this. While this is an excellent practice that protects everyone involved and should happen every time, it doesn't. This is a costly error if the agreed-upon freight does not arrive or if fewer things than expected are missing. Furthermore, without a delivery receipt, it will be difficult to show that damage was caused by the carrier after the fact. As a result, failing to insist on a delivery receipt can be a disastrous blunder.

- Shipping Costs More Than Artwork

Framed artworks, particularly those behind glass, will be more expensive to ship since they must frequently be housed in a large wooden container to avoid damage. Consider this less priced alternative for prints and other works on paper. It's common for the gallery to distribute the artwork without the frame and refer it to a framer near you. Shipping is not the place to cut corners when purchasing art—it is worth investing in extra steps to ensure that your artwork arrives in one piece. Galleries and auction companies are masters in transporting artworks from one location to another.

Hence, if you have any issues concerning shipping charges or logistics, you may always seek advice from the vendor.

- Your Artwork Is Left Out In The Rain

You can also request that the gallery select a "signature-required" delivery option to ensure that the artwork arrives in safe hands. When a package is not marked as signature-required, it might be left on your doorstep while no one is present—and may be destroyed by rain.

You may even have the artwork shipped straight to your office or a doorman building, whichever is more convenient for you.
Thus, once you've finished making frequent shipping mistakes, consider how relying on Fine Art Shippers to manage all of your art shipping services needs the smartest decision you can make is. Contact them via phone or email to learn more about the complete variety of services they provide.