Transport of art
Internationalization and the increased mobility between the countries of the world raise the question of the shipping of art to a greater extent. Danish artists often exhibit abroad, and in this connection it is necessary to make a number of considerations about how the works are transported in the most appropriate and safe way.
If you travel with your art yourself
Following an agreement between UNESCO and the World Customs Organization, visual artists can freely transport and travel with their own works.
The following conditions must be met:
- The artist uses an IAA certificate.
- The artist can document his artistry, e.g. on presentation of a BKF/IAA membership card, or a card from a similar professional organisation.
You should be aware that there may be different requirements for packing your art, depending on the type of transport you use. Sea transport provides, for example, often special requirements for packaging, and in the case of air transport there may be size restrictions. In general, truck transport is the most used within the EU.
Freight – Temporary export within the EU
The free market within EU member states means that works of art can in principle be moved across the EU for exhibition without customs restrictions.
However, remember that the authorities of the individual countries still regulate the import of, for example, organic material. If your work consists of organic material, it may therefore be necessary to notify the recipient country's Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
Freight – Proforma invoice
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If you plan to sell your works, for example at a gallery, you can possibly make use of a proforma invoice, where you list your work for sale with a price. A proforma invoice is used when the details of the sale are not yet known, which is often the case with art.
You must then pay duty corresponding to the stated value of the work. If, on the other hand, the work is not sold and is taken out of the country again, you get the amount back, and it can be said to function as a kind of deposit.
The proforma invoice should preferably be in English and drawn up in triplicate, signed by hand.
The invoice must contain:
- sender, personal/organization number
- recipient with full address, who the artist is, what technique and material used and the estimated value.
Freight – Permanent export outside the EU
You should be aware that a temporary export can turn into a permanent export.
It may also be that the work is permanently exported immediately. Duty must of course be paid here according to the general rules about this.
Source: guidance for transporting art – https://visp.no/visp/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/En-enkel-veileder-for-frakt.pdf Wednesday 27 September 2023.
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