Posts by Art Dom

Before transporting an artwork internationally, it is important to understand its status and determine which documents may be required. Export of paintings from Ukraine depends not only on the age or value of the artwork. An expert considers the artist, technique, materials, provenance, and artistic significance. If the work is classified as a cultural property, a permit to export a painting from Ukraine may be required, so it is better to arrange the examination in advance.

The condition of an artwork is one of the key factors considered during an appraisal. Even when it is a work by a well-known artist, damage can significantly reduce buyer interest and the final selling price. That is why, in the field of painting purchase and paintings purchase, it is important to consider not only the artist’s name, the age of the work, and its subject, but also the actual condition of the canvas, paint layer, frame, and stretcher.

For a contemporary artist, an open call is one of the most practical ways to move beyond the local art market. Through open competitions, artists can take part in international exhibitions, receive grants, join residencies, publish their work or simply add a strong international project to their portfolio. The challenge is that open calls appear constantly, have different deadlines and requirements, and are spread across dozens of websites. That is why we have compiled a selection of...

Starting on 24 July 2026, the United States changed the customs clearance procedure for international postal shipments. The single 10% duty rate was abolished — the amount payable now depends on the product category. Ukrposhta updated its systems in advance and continues to deliver shipments to the United States, while some European postal operators have suspended this route. Reliable packaging before an international shipment helps protect an artwork...

In spring 2026 deliveries to the Gulf states came to a virtual standstill. Air routes have now largely reopened, but with restrictions, surcharges and longer transit times. Here is where paintings can be shipped again, and where the situation remains unstable.   Professional packing helps protect a work of art during international transport and handling. What happened in early March On 1 March 2026, following airspace closures across the region, international...

From 1 July 2026 the requirement to fit a tachograph extends to light commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used for international goods transport. These are precisely the vehicles most often used to move paintings and sculpture into Europe — so the change bears directly on art logistics.   Vans are widely used for the individual transport of paintings and other large-format works of art. Who is actually affected Let us be precise,...

Most shipments of artwork from Ukraine to the United States and Western Europe transit through Poland. In 2026 two regulatory regimes changed there at once — the EU-wide pre-arrival declaration system ICS2 and Poland's transport monitoring system SENT. Here is what applies to paintings, and what does not. When transiting through Poland it is important to prepare the shipment details in advance: the HS code, an accurate description, the consignee's data and the...

A family origin, low price, or amateur level of execution does not automatically mean that a painting can be taken abroad without documentation. To determine whether a permit to export a painting from Ukraine is required, it is necessary to consider the age, authorship, materials, provenance, and possible cultural value of the artwork. The export of paintings from Ukraine is governed by specific rules, and the procedure for issuing certificates authorizing the export of cultural...

An old painting and a modern print may be the same size, but they require completely different protection. A print usually has a smooth and stable surface, while an old painting may be highly sensitive to pressure, vibration, humidity, and temperature changes. For this reason, professional painting delivery must take into account the age of the artwork, its technique, the condition of the paint layer, and the strength of its frame.

Damage does not always make an artwork impossible to sell. A painting with cracks, a torn canvas, or areas of paint loss may still retain artistic and collectible value. Its final price depends on the artist’s reputation, the rarity of the work, the nature of the damage, the possibility of restoration, and its documented provenance. For this reason, buying paintings and subsequently selling them requires professional assessment.