If you’re an artist shipping work across borders to an international buyer or collector, customs authorities always require a detailed declaration of the contents and their respective values. This information serves multiple purposes, including assessing import duties and taxes, ensuring compliance with international trade regulations, and enabling the smooth passage of your artwork through customs.

Failure to accurately declare the value of your artwork can lead to delays, fines, and can even be confiscated. Therefore, it is in the best interest of artists, art collectors, and shippers to understand the regulations governing the declaration of the artwork’s value. It is also worth noting that if you require insurance for your artwork in transit the insured and declared value must match.

Determining the value of your artwork
If you’re a famous or seasoned artist this is not a problem, however if you’re new to selling your work and need to value it, the following combination of factors will help guide you:

  • Artists with more experience or recognition often command higher prices. Consider your artistic skill level, training, and experience.
  • Share your artwork with fellow artists, mentors, or art professionals and ask for their feedback on pricing. They may provide insights based on their experience in the art market.
  • Look for artworks similar to yours in terms of style, size, medium, and subject matter. Check both online and offline art markets to see how comparable pieces are priced.
  • Calculate the time and materials invested in creating your artwork. This includes the cost of canvas, paint, brushes, and any other materials used.
  • Account for any overhead costs, such as studio rent, utilities, or the cost of maintaining your artistic practice.
  • Create a pricing formula that takes into account the factors mentioned above. For example, you might consider adding a certain percentage to cover your time and expertise.
  • Assess the demand for your type of artwork. If there’s high demand for your style or subject matter, you may be able to set a higher price.
  • Keep records of your sales, including the price at which each piece was sold. This can help you track your progress and make informed decisions about future pricing.
  • Keep yourself informed about trends in the art market, changes in the demand for certain styles, and the pricing strategies of successful artists in your niche.
  • As a new artist, consider starting with more modest prices and gradually increase them as you gain recognition and demand for your work.

Navigating the process of declaring the value of when shipping artwork abroad requires a careful balance between accuracy and compliance with international regulations. By understanding the various factors that contribute to the valuation of artwork and following the appropriate procedures, artists, collectors, and shippers can ensure a smooth international art shipping experience.

This is all made easier if you use a reputable art shipping company like Flight Logistics-ShipArtTM who can help guide you. For further help contact us at art@flightlg.com