Art shipping has become genuinely global in a borderless, interconnected world. At present, art collectors from Asia can participate in London or New York auctions and hire art shipping companies to have their new property delivered to their locations. How does international art shipping work, and what risks and implications does shipping to Asia have?
Practical Side of Art Shipping to Asia
On the practical level, art shipping companies must follow a rigorous delivery protocol applying to all international shipments. The starting point is a baseline assessment, which includes a condition report with a set of photographs, documenting the artwork’s original condition before packaging. Then comes the packaging itself, with the photos of the packed art object finalizing the documentation stage.
Next, the shipper should decide on the artwork’s custody. The company may negotiate assigning an exclusive art courier to the shipment, with the client paying extra for a safe delivery with minimal touch points and guaranteed oversight of the freight throughout its entire route. More cost-effective options include door-to-port shipping, with the client being responsible for import customs clearance and final delivery to their premises, and door-to-door shipping, with the local services in the destination country handled by a regular carrier, such as FedEx or DHL.
What Documentation Do Art Shipping Companies Prepare?
Customs clearance can become endlessly complex if the client or the shipper misses out on some vital documents. The minimal package accompanying art to Asia should include:
- A commercial invoice or bill of sale
- Transportation documents
- Clear HS classification
- EEI files for artwork exported from the USA, if required
In other words, the documentation set should include all export filings to guarantee the freight’s unproblematic departure and all accompanying financial, ownership, and identifying documents for clear artwork tracking.
Regulatory and Market Risks for Asian Shipments
A vital part of art shipping to Asia is the proper understanding of the destination country’s regulatory environment. It’s short-sighted to treat Asia as a homogeneous location, as every country has a specific set of art import regulations. For example, Singapore requires a customs permit and subjects imported artwork to GST. Hong Kong has light import taxes and a fast-track customs clearance, thus being chosen as an optimal entry point for imports heading to Asia. Mainland China has a complex regulatory scheme, sometimes making it hard to execute art imports quickly. All these nuances should be taken into account during route planning to ensure timely deliveries.