Transporting art is never a standard logistical task. Whether an artwork is traveling across town or across the globe, the Declared Value is the legal cornerstone of your shipment. It determines your level of protection and serves as the basis for compensation in the event of a claim.

When using a specialized digital commission agent like Moviiu, understanding these rules is essential to ensure your assets are covered “from nail to nail.”

Common Scenarios: What Value Should You Declare?

The “Value” of an artwork can be subjective, but for insurance, it must be justifiable. Here are five typical cases:

The Private Collector (Individual)

You are moving or selling a piece from your personal collection.

• What to declare: The current market value.
• Required Proof: An original purchase invoice or a recent formal appraisal (less than 3 years old) from a certified expert.

The Auction House Buyer

You just won a lot and need it delivered.

• What to declare: The Hammer Price + Buyer’s Premium. This represents your total replacement cost.
• Required Proof: The “Buyer’s Premium” invoice (Bordereau) provided by the auction house.

The Artist Lending to a Gallery or Museum

You are sending your own work for an exhibition.

• What to declare: Typically the production cost or a mutually agreed value (often 50% to 60% of the retail price).
• Required Proof: The signed loan agreement or consignment note.

The Heir (Inheritance/Estate)

You have inherited a collection and are distributing it among family members.

• What to declare: The probate value (the value estimated by the notary or appraiser for the estate settlement).
• Required Proof: An excerpt from the inventory of the estate or a professional valuation report.

The Gallery Shipping to a Client

• What to declare: The net sales price (excluding taxes).
• Required Proof: The sales invoice issued to the client.

Professional Guidelines: The Details That Save Your Shipment

To ensure a safe and legally sound transport, pay close attention to these four often-overlooked factors:

The “Moviiu Framework”: Compliance & Packaging

When using the Moviiu platform, your insurance and legal protection depend on two strict conditions:

• Data Accuracy: Ensure your “User Account” details and declared values are 100% accurate. If the declared value does not match the actual item during a customs inspection, you risk total loss of coverage and significant delays.
• The Packing Responsibility: If you choose to pack the work yourself, Moviiu’s T&Cs state they are not liable for damages resulting from “insufficient or defective packaging.” For high-value items, using Moviiu’s professional packing service is the best way to guarantee your insurance claim is valid.
• Customs Mandate: By accepting the T&Cs, you grant Moviiu a “Customs Representation Mandate.” You are legally responsible for providing the correct Pro-forma invoice. Any error in the description of the goods can lead to a customs seizure for which the transporter is not held responsible.

Restricted Materials (CITES Regulations)

The value you declare becomes irrelevant if the object is seized for being illegal or restricted.

• Verify your materials: If your artwork contains ivory, tortoiseshell, rosewood, or certain exotic feathers, it is subject to CITES regulations.
• The Risk: Failure to declare these specific materials or provide the necessary permits will lead to immediate customs seizure and the cancellation of your insurance coverage.

The “Presumption of Good Condition”

This is a critical legal principle in the transport of art.

• The Rule: If the carrier collects the package without making a note, and the recipient signs for it without writing a specific “reserve,” the law presumes the work was delivered in perfect condition.
• The Action: You must inspect the work immediately upon arrival.

Balancing Value and Customs Taxes

Your declared value is used by authorities to calculate import taxes, not just for insurance.

• The Strategy: While you want to be fully insured, a higher declared value increases customs duties.
• The Solution: Ensure you use the correct HS Code (usually Chapter 97 for original artworks). This allows you to benefit from reduced VAT rates (e.g., 5.5% in France) instead of the standard 20% rate, significantly lowering your costs. Tax rates vary by country; always verify local regulations with a customs broker.

Understanding “Ad Valorem” Insurance with Moviiu

In the world of transport, “Standard Liability” is rarely enough for art. Under Moviiu’s T&Cs, standard compensation is limited by international conventions (based on weight or per package), which often represent only a fraction of an artwork’s value.

To counter this, you must opt for Ad Valorem Insurance:

• Active Subscription: Coverage is not automatic. You must explicitly select it and pay the associated price during your booking.
• Accidental Material Damage: This insurance covers physical damage to the items. Note that indirect or “immaterial” damages (such as loss of future value or emotional distress) are excluded.
• The 100k Threshold: For any work valued above €100,000, the system will not provide an immediate quote. A special request must be sent to Moviiu for insurer approval.
• The “72-Hour” Rule: If you notice damage upon delivery, you must send detailed, written reserves with photos to Moviiu within 72 hours. Beyond this window, claims are generally inadmissible.

Expert Advice for a Smooth Shipment

• Photos are your best evidence: Before the courier arrives, take high-resolution photos of the artwork from all angles, as well as the open and closed packaging.
• The “Clean Receipt” Trap: When the driver delivers the package, do not simply sign your name. If the box is dented, torn, or crushed, write “Subject to damage: box damaged” on the handheld device or waybill. Moviiu requires “precise and justified” reserves.
• The Packing Dilemma: Moviiu allows you to pack your own items, but this shifts the risk to you. If you are shipping a high-value or fragile piece, it is highly recommended to select their professional packing service to ensure the insurance remains incontestable.