Buying an original artwork from another country is where a lot of first-time collectors stall. Not because it is difficult — it is genuinely routine — but because the process is opaque enough that people assume there is a catch. This guide sets out what actually happens.
How shipping is priced
Original art is not priced like a parcel. The cost is driven by the size of the crate rather than the weight of the work, because a large painting is mostly air in a rigid box, and that box has to survive being handled by people who do not know what is inside it.
That is why art shipping is usually banded by size. A small work travels for a fraction of what an oversize canvas costs, and the jump between bands is steep. It is worth knowing before you fall in love with something two metres wide.
At Art of NOMA the rate is calculated automatically at checkout for every destination we ship to — 237 countries and territories — so you see the real figure before you commit, not after an email exchange.
Who handles customs, and who pays duties
This is the part that worries people most, and the honest answer is: it depends on your country, and you should assume you are responsible.
In most jurisdictions the buyer is the importer of record. Any import duty, VAT or handling fee levied on arrival is charged to you, not to the gallery, and it is collected by the carrier before delivery. These charges are set by your government, not by us, and no seller can waive them.
The good news for art specifically: many countries treat original works of art favourably, with reduced or zero duty rates on original paintings, drawings and sculpture, precisely because they are not manufactured goods. Rates for prints and editions can differ. If a purchase is large enough that the difference matters, a five-minute check with your local customs authority before you order is time well spent.
What should be in the box
A properly shipped artwork arrives with paperwork, and the paperwork is not a formality. You should receive:
- A certificate of authenticity, identifying the work, the artist, the medium, the dimensions and, for editions, the number in the edition
- A commercial invoice declaring the work honestly for customs
- Insurance in transit, covering the full value — not the carrier's default liability, which is usually derisory
If a seller offers to under-declare the value to reduce your duty, decline. It invalidates the insurance, it is illegal in most jurisdictions, and it destroys the provenance record you are paying for.
How long it takes
Longer than a consumer parcel, and the delay is usually at the front. Original works are crated to order, which takes days rather than hours. Once dispatched, the transit itself is fast; customs clearance is the variable.
Build in more time than you think you need if the work is for a specific date. "It will be there by the party" is how people end up paying for express freight on a crate.
What to check before you order
- Is the price the price? Shipping should be calculable at checkout, not quoted later.
- Is it insured for full value in transit, and who claims if it arrives damaged?
- Does it come with a certificate of authenticity? For an original, this is non-negotiable.
- What is the return position? Original art is often final sale — that can be reasonable, but you should know before you buy.
- Who packs it? Hand-crating by people who handle art is not the same as a courier's packing counter.
How we do it
Every work is packed and crated by hand in Mexico City and shipped from there, fully insured, worldwide. Rates are calculated at checkout by destination and size. Every work ships with a certificate of authenticity. Prices are published openly on each artwork page rather than held behind an enquiry form, and support is available in English and Spanish.
If you want to see what is available, start with original paintings, limited-edition prints or the artists we represent. Our FAQ covers shipping, authenticity and returns in more detail.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Import rules vary by country and change; confirm with your own customs authority for anything significant.