Whether you are an artist, gallery or collector – anyone sending art across borders has to deal with the legal and logistical requirements. Exporting artworks abroad sounds complex, but with good preparation and the necessary information, you can plan your transport with peace of mind.

In this article, you will find out which documents you need to export art to France or from France to other countries, how transportation outside the EU works and what you need to bear in mind in order to ship your art abroad safely and in accordance with the regulations.

 

This is how the export of art works: An overview

Within the European Union (EU), the art transportation is simple in terms of customs, as no customs duties or import taxes are incurred. The free movement of goods applies here and you can send your works of art without having to provide any information.

However, strict customs regulations apply when shipping to countries outside the EU, such as Switzerland, the USA or Japan.

The transportation of a work of art to non-EU countries usually follows this procedure:

1. preparing the documents: gather all the necessary documents and data relating to the artwork you wish to transport. This includes proof of the value of your artwork and your EORI number. (We explain exactly what this is and how to obtain it here (link to paragraph)
2. export processing: The customs authorities in France require a pro forma invoice to check the shipment and process the customs formalities. This contains all relevant information about your shipment. If you book your shipment through Moviiu, we will create the pro forma invoice for you based on some information you provide about your artwork.
3. packaging and logistics: Pack the artwork securely and choose a suitable transportation method. With Moviiu’s all-in-one shipping solution, the packaging and transport provider are already organized for you and we provide all the documents for a smooth export and import process.
4. customs clearance: The shipment is checked by customs and officially released for export. You will then receive an exit note from the transport service transporting your work for your records.
5. shipment to the destination country: After customs clearance, the artwork begins its journey abroad. Customs duties, taxes and other import duties may be incurred in the destination country and must be paid by the recipient. Our transport partners Fedex and DHL Express will contact the recipient directly. Once the import duties have been paid, the shipment is then delivered.

With this overview, you can keep an eye on the process and prepare for the individual steps.

The customs declaration in France

The French customs authorities do not require a separate document for the export of works of art and goods from France to other countries. The pro forma invoice that we prepare, which contains all the necessary information to export the goods, is sufficient. It also serves as transport documentation: freight forwarders and logistics companies use it to clarify the contents, value (for insurance purposes) and purpose of the shipment. It can also be important for the customs authorities in the importing country (non-EU), especially if import duties or taxes are incurred there.

We will be happy to provide you with a written notification of delivery (POD) if you require one. (All information on international art transportation from Germany can be found here).

The HS code (Harmonized System) is also indicated on the pro forma invoice. This is an international goods number with which goods are clearly classified. The HS code makes it easier to calculate customs duties and taxes and to comply with import regulations.
Our system needs a few precise details to create the correct HS code for customs clearance. This includes the year of origin of the artwork (older or younger than 100 years), the country of origin, material, net weight and the category it falls into. Our categories are:

• Painting / Painting / Drawing
• Sculpture / Plastic
• Decorative object / small furniture
• Clocks / Watches
• Jewelry
• Books
• Photography / Picture
• Etching / Lithography / Print
• Antiques
• Other antiques

Good news: Moviiu takes care of the pro forma invoice for you!

If you book transportation via Moviiu, you don’t need to worry about creating a pro forma invoice. Our system generates it automatically for you – with all the necessary information about your artwork and the shipment. This saves you time and ensures that all customs requirements are met.

The contents of the pro forma invoice include:

• Sender and recipient details
• Description of the artwork (title, artist, material, dimensions, etc.)
• Value of the artwork
• HS Code

This service from Moviiu makes exporting even easier and ensures smooth processing.

Practical tips for transporting art

• Packaging: Artworks should be packed carefully to avoid damage during transportation. Our specially developed packaging for artworks is individually tailored to your object or artwork and protects it from any kind of transport damage.
• Insurance: Transportation insurance provides additional security to protect your artwork from loss or damage. When shipping artworks with Moviiu, you can optionally book transport insurance (for 1% of the value of the goods or at least EUR 25). Our Ad Valorem insurance covers artworks up to a value of EUR 100,000.
• The right transport company: Moviiu takes care of the tedious search for the best transportation company for you. We work with a reliable network of courier services and art transportation companies. Our smart online tool determines the most favorable offer for your needs in just a few minutes

Conclusion: Good preparation is the key

Exporting works of art abroad requires careful planning and compliance with numerous regulations. With the right documents, well thought-out packaging and a trustworthy freight forwarder, nothing stands in the way of a smooth art export.

With Moviiu, you have a reliable partner at your side: our service takes care of the complicated steps so that you can concentrate on the essentials. Do you have any questions or need support? Our experts will be happy to help you!