Why Artwork and Antiques Need More Than Standard Carrier Coverage
Artwork and antiques are hard to replace and hard to value. Carriers usually limit their liability for them well below market value, and they often restrict or exclude certain items, so a standard label can leave a significant gap.
A declared value is not the same thing as insurance. It states what you say the work is worth, but the carrier's own limit can still decide what is paid. With full-value insurance, the declared value of the shipment is covered, up to $150,000 with Unival.
Documentation does much of the work with art. An invoice, appraisal or provenance record, plus photographs of the condition before shipping, make the declared value credible and a claim easier to resolve.
What to Prepare for Each Type of Art Shipment
Different shipments carry different risks. This table shows what to focus on for each.
| Shipment | Main risk | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Estate consignment to an auction house | Ownership and value disputes | Appraisal, consignment agreement, photos of each piece |
| Sale to a collector out of state | Disputes over condition | Condition photos, invoice, signed delivery |
| Works for fairs and exhibitions | Several legs, repeated handling | Itemized list, photos before and after each leg |
| Works on paper, prints and photographs | Moisture, bending | Flat or tube packing, acid-free wrap, edition numbers |
| Silver, porcelain and decorative objects | Breakage, loose parts | Padding on all sides, note of existing damage |
Photographs and a written condition note taken before shipping are the best evidence if a claim is ever needed.
Shipping Art From Boston's Galleries, Auction Houses and Fairs
Boston's galleries are concentrated on Newbury Street in Back Bay and in the SoWa Art + Design District in the South End, while Beacon Hill and Charles Street are known for antiques and older works. Auction houses such as Bonhams Skinner and Grogan & Company sell fine art, antiques and jewelry from New England estates and collections, and the Boston International Fine Art Show brings galleries together at the Cyclorama each autumn.
Typical shipments from the Boston art trade include:
- Works sold to collectors in other cities and countries
- Estate and consignment pieces sent to auction houses and dealers
- Works sent to and returned from fairs and exhibitions
- Antiques and decorative objects sold to dealers
Unival is headquartered in Los Angeles and insures and tracks shipments to and from Boston. Read more about our secure transportation or see our overview of insured shipping in Boston. If you ship to or from the other major art markets, see insured fine art shipping in New York and insured fine art shipping in Los Angeles.
Packing Art for New England Winters
Cold weather and sudden temperature changes can harm paintings, wooden panels and ceramics. Pack with insulating padding, avoid leaving a packed work outside or on a loading dock in freezing weather, and let a work come to room temperature before it is unpacked.
Size, Weight and Cost of Insured Art Shipping
Insured shipping works best for artwork and objects that can be packed to carrier size and weight limits, such as framed works, paintings, prints, small sculpture, silver, ceramics and collectibles. Furniture, very large, oversized or exceptionally fragile pieces may need specialist crating or handling, so contact us before you ship.
The price has two parts: the shipping and the insurance on the declared value. Carriers price by dimensions as well as weight, so a large, light framed work can cost more than expected. We quote each shipment before it moves. Get a quote with the type of work, its size, declared value, pickup location and destination.
How to Pack and Document Artwork for Shipping
Good records prevent most claim disputes. Before you ship, check the following:
- Keep the invoice, appraisal or provenance record for the work.
- Photograph the front, back, frame, signatures and any existing damage.
- Write a short condition note and keep a copy.
- Protect corners, glass and surfaces, and fill the box so the work cannot move.
- Use a plain outer box with no mention of art or the contents.
- Declare the full, accurate value and make sure the recipient can sign for the delivery.
