Art Transport in Switzerland with Moviiu
Switzerland holds a unique position on the global art stage. Home to internationally renowned institutions such as the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen, the Kunsthaus Zürich, the Kunstmuseum Basel and the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva, the country combines an exceptional museum tradition with a thriving contemporary art scene.
The market’s main highlight is centred in Basel, the birthplace of Art Basel, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading modern and contemporary art fairs since its founding in 1970. Every June, the event brings together top-tier galleries from around the world and anchors an entire week dedicated to art, extended by several recognised satellite fairs including Liste Art Fair Basel, VOLTA Basel and Photo Basel, specialising respectively in the emerging scene, international contemporary art and photography.
In French-speaking Switzerland, Art Genève gathers over 80 international galleries each year at Palexpo, while Geneva Art Week brings together galleries, institutions and foundations around a coordinated city-wide programme.
The Swiss market is also structured by leading auction houses such as Christie’s in Geneva, Sotheby’s in Zurich and Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer, present in Basel, Zurich, St. Gallen and Geneva, specialising in modern and contemporary art.
The Swiss art market continues to demonstrate its dynamism, driven by a high concentration of collectors, private foundations and the strategic role of freeports, which help structure international exchanges. Combined with a stable tax environment and a well-established tradition of confidentiality, Switzerland remains a benchmark for art transactions worldwide. Zurich and Geneva stand out as the two main hubs of the Swiss gallery network, supported by the emergence of new players and the growing integration of digital tools into the market.
Inter-cantonal transport, shipments to Europe, the United States or Asia, white-glove collection in Geneva, Basel, Zurich, Lausanne, Bern and Lucerne: through its platform and expertise rooted in international art logistics, Moviiu simplifies every step of art transport in Switzerland and abroad.
What Sets Moviiu Apart for Art Transport in Switzerland
While many art transport companies still rely on manually prepared quotes, often involving several days of turnaround, Moviiu offers an instant digital quote that is clear and free of hidden costs. The platform accounts for the specific realities of the Swiss territory: the proximity between major art hubs such as Geneva, Basel and Zurich, the intense shipping flows around Art Basel and Artgenève, and the frequent cross-border shipments to France, Germany, Austria, Italy and the rest of Europe. With a white-glove collection service operating in six Swiss cities, Moviiu offers the country’s most extensive coverage, from French-speaking to German-speaking Switzerland.
White-Glove Collection: Six Cities Covered in Switzerland
How does it work in practice?
With the white-glove collection service, art handling specialists come directly to your address (residence, gallery or studio) to collect your piece.
The artwork is then transported to the Moviiu warehouse, where it is carefully prepared and packed by professionals before being entrusted to one of our logistics partners for shipment.
This service is available in Geneva, Basel, Zurich, Lausanne, Bern and Lucerne, making Switzerland the country best covered by the Moviiu white-glove network in Europe.
Domestic and International Art Transport from Switzerland
Moviiu handles both shipments between Swiss cities and international transport. Whether it’s a painting sent from Zurich to Geneva, a sculpture shipped from Basel to Paris, a collection of works transported from Geneva to New York for an exhibition, or a collector’s piece delivered from London to Lausanne, the platform manages every step: instant quote, tailored packaging, online tracking and secure delivery.
How Does Art Transport with Moviiu Work in Switzerland?
- An instant and transparent quote
Simply enter the artwork’s dimensions, type, pick-up and delivery addresses, along with any packaging or installation requirements. The platform immediately calculates a reliable, clear estimate with no hidden costs.
- Transport packaging tailored to your artwork
The system automatically identifies the most suitable Moviiu packaging based on the nature of the item, its dimensions and the planned route. For white-glove collections, the artwork is prepared and packed by professionals at the warehouse before shipment.
- Secure shipment
Each shipment is entrusted to trusted express carriers to ensure fast and secure transit. Tracking is available online at any time from your client dashboard.
- Delivery and installation
Depending on your needs, the service can include hand delivery, gallery delivery or full installation. Options are adapted to the context: unpacking, positioning and professional installation with a white-glove service.
Who Is This For in Switzerland?
✔ Art Galleries
Swiss galleries regularly need to organise shipments, whether for new exhibitions, artwork loans, sales or transfers between locations. Moviiu provides a clear digital solution that is easy to manage and fully controllable online.
✔ Private Collectors
Whether relocating, installing an artwork in a new residence or transporting pieces between cities, Moviiu offers seamless tracking and streamlined organisation tailored to the needs of collectors in Switzerland.
✔ Designers and Artists
The Swiss design and contemporary art scene is known for its high standards. Moviiu handles unique, fragile or large-format pieces with a structured and reliable service.
✔ Auction Houses and Institutions
Post-sale art transport, transfers between exhibitions or returns to lenders are made easier with continuous tracking and optimised shipment management.
Good to Know: Customs and Tax Considerations in Switzerland
As Switzerland is not part of the European Union, transporting artworks between Switzerland and neighbouring countries involves customs formalities. Original artworks are generally exempt from customs duties, but Swiss VAT applies upon import at the prevailing rate, calculated on the value of the artwork as well as transport and insurance costs.
In certain cases, particularly for exhibitions or temporary displays, it is possible to import an artwork under a specific regime that suspends VAT, provided the artwork is subsequently re-exported. Switzerland also has freeports, notably in Geneva and Zurich, which allow artworks to be stored in a secure environment without taxation as long as they are not released into circulation on Swiss territory.
Swiss legislation also requires documentation regarding the provenance and value of cultural goods during international transport. To ensure smooth customs clearance, it is advisable to prepare the necessary documents in advance, including proof of origin and artwork valuation.
Two Real-World Examples of Art Transport in Switzerland
1 – A Zurich gallery ships to New York
An established art gallery in Zurich wishes to ship a large-format modern painting to a private collector in New York. With Moviiu:
- The gallery receives an immediate estimate by entering the dimensions, nature of the artwork and pick-up and delivery addresses directly on the Moviiu platform.
- Custom packaging is then designed based on the dimensions provided, incorporating the necessary protective elements so the gallery can finalise the packing itself.
- The shipment is handled by a trusted express carrier, ensuring fast and secure transit to New York.
- The gallery can track the shipment in real time from its client dashboard.
- The collector then receives the artwork at the designated address.
2 – Buyers choose Moviiu to collect their lots from an auction house in Geneva (with white-glove collection)
Following a successful auction in Geneva, several buyers turn to Moviiu to ship their lots to their respective destinations across Geneva, Basel and Paris. With the Moviiu white-glove service:
- The buyers select Moviiu as their transport solution and arrange collection directly from the auction house premises.
- Specialist art handlers arrive on site to take charge of each lot.
- The artworks are then transferred to the Moviiu warehouse, where they are professionally packed according to their characteristics and final destination.
- Each shipment is entrusted to the carrier best suited to the type of consignment.
- Buyers can track their deliveries in real time from their client dashboard.
Contact Us for a Custom Quote
Moviiu simplifies every step: instant digital quote, white-glove collection in Geneva, Basel, Zurich, Lausanne, Bern and Lucerne, specialist packaging, secure transport and clear tracking, for art transport tailored to Switzerland’s exacting standards.