May 2026 — ArtDom | News and Articles

If you are an artist or a gallery and you send paintings, drawings, graphics or sculptures abroad, it is important to know in advance how much the recipient (buyer) will have to pay when they receive the parcel. This article collects an up‑to‑date database of customs duties and VAT rates on art objects in more than 50 countries worldwide. At the bottom is an interactive map where green countries mean minimal duties (or their complete absence) and red countries show the highest rates. Just hover the cursor or tap on the country to see the details. 

Buying a painting can be a simple choice of decor for an interior, or it can become part of a serious collection. The problem is that a decorative painting and collectible fine art can sometimes look similar: a beautiful frame, an expressive subject, a signature, paint texture, or an “antique” appearance. To make buying paintings a conscious decision, it is important to understand how interior decor differs from a work that may have artistic, historical, or market value.

Transporting a non-standard art object is more difficult than sending a regular painting. Installations, ceramics, panels, author’s decor, or three-dimensional works may have a complex shape, fragile details, unusual weight, and special packaging requirements. If the object needs to be sent abroad, it is important to think through not only the route, but also the documents, fixation inside the packaging, and the delivery method in advance. Even if you already know how to send a painting abroad from Ukraine , a standard scheme may not work for a non-standard art object.

If a painting needs to be sent abroad, it is important not only to choose a carrier and packaging. One of the first steps is to correctly describe the artwork for the documents. Based on the description, specialists, experts, and customs authorities understand exactly what is being exported: a contemporary painting, old painting, icon, graphic work, sculpture, or another art object. An accurate description helps prepare documents faster and understand whether a permit to export a painting from Ukraine is required. This is especially important if you are already trying to understand how to send a painting abroad from Ukraine without delays.