How to send art abroad so that the post office doesn't return it?
hiti22March 9, 2025
ArtDom company is engaged in logistics in the world of art for more than 7 years and we sometimes notice problems with the delivery of parcels, cargo. In this article we will share information so that you can avoid problems with the delivery of paintings, sculptures abroad.
Art House regularly does packaging and helps artists with the delivery of their artwork worldwide. A frequent choice of artists is delivery by the postal operator Ukrposhta. They have been operating for over 70 years, they have delivery contracts to over 240 countries and they have affordable rates. The main thing when sending by Ukrposhta is to make the best possible and practical packaging.
What is the process of sending a painting overseas?
- Obtain a document that the painting, sculpture is not the cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people
The artist commissions permission to take the painting abroad ArtDom sends us a photograph of the front of the painting and a description of it. ArtDom orders this document from state experts and then attaches it to the box.
- Produce shipping box
We receive from the customer the exact dimensions, number of items to be packed and delivered. ArtDom masters calculate packaging options and their cost. For small paintings, as a rule, we make reinforced cardboard boxes (they are strong, light and inexpensive in delivery) or make boxes from fiberboard, plywood, OSB boards (they are very strong, for extra fragile items, heavy and expensive in delivery tariff).
- Tariff payment transportation, overseas delivery
We send the painting to the details specified by the customer and give the tracking number, a website to track the parcel in real time.
Why might a package come back?
ArtDom is in the business of sending art objects abroad. But it cannot receive these items instead of the recipients abroad. In order for the recipient to receive the parcel - he/she needs to be at home or to ensure that the parcel is received. It goes without saying that there are more than 250 countries in the world, more than 8 billion people and all of them cannot stay at home all the time to receive a parcel from a courier. Therefore, every country has rules for delivering parcels if the recipient is not at home. Frequent delivery options:
-leave the package at the door
A common practice for the US Postal Service (USPS, UPS, DHL, Meest, FedEx) is for the courier to ring the doorbell, wait 10-30 seconds, then leave the box under the door and walk away. If you pay extra for delivery notification - the courier will wait until someone opens the door and ask you to sign the form to receive the parcel.
-deliver the parcel to the address, but not to the recipient
The recipient of the parcel is not always at home - he/she left to take the children to school, went to visit his/her brother in hospital, went to a work meeting, etc. In this case, couriers are allowed to leave parcels at the address and allow other persons to sign for its receipt - close relatives (wife, brother, mother, grandmother, nanny, etc.).
-leave a package with the neighbors
There are frequent cases in the USA, Canada, European countries when no one is at home at the address. In such cases, the parcel is often left to the neighbors. For example, if the box is bulky, large, heavy, couriers are not willing to take it back to the back of the car. It is easier to take the box to the neighbors and ask them to give it to the recipient when he is at home.
-Leave a notice in your door or mailbox saying "The courier was at your address, but you were not home. Come to the nearest post office and collect the parcel yourself"
If the parcel is very large, heavy couriers are not willing to deliver them and may leave such an alert. Or indeed, they bring the parcel and no one was at home. Also, such notifications are left when the recipient needs to fill out a customs declaration and pay customs duty. In this case, the recipient should have time to pick up the parcel within 30 days. According to international rules, the parcel is kept at the office for a month to allow the recipient to collect it himself.
If the courier couldn't deliver to the recipient of the package, the recipient didn't pick up the parcel at the nearest post office within 30 days - then according to international rules, the package is returned back to the sender.
Therefore, when sending abroad, be careful. Follow the tracking of the parcel and notify the recipient so that he or she is ready to receive the parcel and can pick it up. If you notify the recipient in advance - he will notify his relatives and friends so that they can also receive the parcel. And if no one is home, they will have 30 days to pick up the parcel at the nearest post office.
Any questions? Need help shipping art abroad? Contact ArtDom. We will be happy to advise you and help you choose the best logistics option.
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Our other services:
- document (permission) for exporting the painting abroad
- cardboard boxes for shipping paintings
- international art shipping
- production of reinforced fiberboard crates.