Specialist Art Shipping Company – Berkshire, UK
Operating from our secure logistics facility near London Heathrow, ShipArt™ is the dedicated fine art division of Flight Logistics Group. Based in Berkshire, UK, we are a specialist art shipping company with decades of experience providing professional (domestic and international transportation) for artwork. To ensure a seamless journey, our expert team also provides specialised [bespoke packaging] and highly secure [art storage solutions].
We support artists, commercial galleries, auction houses, and private buyers with highly tailored logistics. Whether you require custom shock-absorbing crating, complex international customs clearance, or coordinated cross-border transit, our specialists manage the entire lifecycle to give you confidence at every stage.
Transporting fine art carries immense emotional and financial responsibility. As art enthusiasts ourselves, the ShipArt™ team approaches every piece, from single editions to multipiece shipments to exhibitions around the world (including Frieze, Art Basel etc), with a high standard of professional care.
Tailored Art Logistics for the Art Sector
Galleries & Museums
Tailored Logistics – Meticulous handling and precision planning for high-stakes art schedules.
- Deliveries of sold or purchased art
- Timed exhibition deliveries and collections
- International museum loans
Artists – Painters, sculptors, photographers, street artists, printmakers
Tailored Logistics – Stress-free transit solutions built to support your growing creative business.
- Single or multi-piece residential collections
- Direct-to-buyer deliveries
- Transport for graduation shows
Auction Houses
Tailored Logistics – Rapid, dependable post-sale turnarounds to keep your inventory moving safely.
- Timely post-auction collections
- Immediate bespoke packing
- Global multi-destination fulfilment
Private Collectors & Buyers
Tailored Logistics – Professional, absolute discretion, with end-to-end asset protection
- Secure door-to-door transit
- Trusted network of partners for global deliveries
- Fully managed customs clearance
“Serpentine Galleries have worked closely with Flight Logistics for many years. Their team are enthusiastic; friendly and professional, and frequently go above and beyond to meet our needs. We could not be more thankful to have such a responsive and reliable service at our disposal. We trust them implicitly.”
TOM HARRISON – SERPENTINE GALLERIES
Why Galleries and Collectors Trust ShipArt™
Museum-Grade Protection
Bespoke, shock-absorbing protection tailored to the exact dimensions and fragility of your artwork. We build everything from rugged tri-wall cases to custom ISPM-15 certified wooden crates designed for international compliance.
Direct Heathrow Customs Advantage
Eliminate border friction. Operating right next to London Heathrow, our team handles complex international paperwork, temporary import/export bonds, and rapid customs clearance to prevent unexpected fees or transit delays.
Dedicated Logistics Coordinators
No automated phone lines or generic tracking screens. You work with a dedicated art logistics coordinator who manages your consignment from collection to final delivery, keeping you informed every step of the way.
Our Specialist Fine Art Logistics Services
Domestic & International Fine Art Transport Services
Specialist Courier – Global art transit designed exclusively for valuable and fragile works.
- Meticulously planned global and UK routing
- Vetted, highly secure art freight carriers
- Time-critical, secure destination drop-offs
Custom Art Crating & Museum-Grade Packaging
Bespoke protection – Tailored packaging systems constructed around the exact size and fragility of your art.
- Archival materials and shock-absorbing foam lining
- Custom-built ISPM-15 certified wooden transit crates
- Rugged tri-wall protective outer casing options
Secure Fine Art Storage | London Heathrow (LHR)
Premium Holding – Flexible short and long-term secure holding right in Colnbrook, Berkshire.
- Rapid transit link access to all central London galleries
- Gated warehouse environment with controlled access protocols
- Ideal transitions between gallery sales and exhibition legs
Global Art Fair Shipping & Exhibition Logistics
Event Support – Time-critical planning for multi-piece gallery showcases and global art fairs.
- Coordinated, multi-artist stand shipping consolidations
- On-schedule transit to meet critical event windows
- Secure delivery aligned with venue access and event schedules
Fine Art Customs Clearance & Documentation
Border Strategy – Comprehensive management of high-stakes global trade paperwork.
- Flawless international custom export documentation setups
- Expert management of temporary admissions (e.g. Carnets)
- Proactive border management to prevent costly delays
Art Print Run Storage & Fulfilment
Bulk Distribution – End-to-end stock oversight, preparation and global retail order shipping
- Secure, flat or tubed inventory storage systems
- Meticulous piece handling for individual order fulfilment
- Direct international shipping pathways straight to collectors
“Just wanted to say thank you: the painting arrived yesterday. The whole process was as I expected from Flight Logistics-ShipArt™: very very awesome! The packaging of my artwork was perfect. You guys showed me again that there is no better art shipment company on the market. I will definitely use ShipArt again and will highly recommend your services. Thanks again.”
SIMON SCHMITZ – RHEINKONTOR
How We Work: Our Secure Art Handling & Shipping Process
-
Step 1: Tell us what you are shipping
Artwork details, dimensions, value, destination, and collection requirements.
-
Step 2: We provide your bespoke quote & plan
We calculate transparent pricing, customize your packing requirements, map the safest routing, and handle customs strategy.
-
Step 3: We protect and transport it
Specialist packaging, secure handling, and coordinated transportation.
-
Step 4: We keep you informed
A dedicated team manages the consignment throughout.
Fine Art Shipping & Logistics FAQs
-
What is fine art logistics?
Fine art logistics refers to the specialist handling, packaging, transportation and coordination of valuable artwork, including paintings, sculptures, installations and exhibition pieces. Unlike standard courier services, fine art logistics prioritises security, discretion, environmental control and risk management to protect high-value and often irreplaceable works.
-
How do you ensure artwork is protected during transport?
We use tailored museum-grade packaging solutions, bespoke wooden art crates, and secure handling procedures to minimize vibration and environmental exposure. Each shipment is assessed by our specialist fine art couriers to ensure maximum protection from collection to final delivery.
-
Do you provide art transport for galleries and museums?
Yes. ShipArt™ supports artists, private collectors, galleries, auction houses and museums across the UK and internationally. We understand the professional standards required when moving exhibition pieces and culturally significant works.
-
Is artwork insured during shipping?
We coordinate shipments with clear transit documentation and can arrange comprehensive fine art insurance coverage to ensure high-value artworks are fully protected against loss or damage throughout domestic and international transit.
-
Can you handle international art shipments?
Yes. Strategically located near Heathrow Airport, our team handles global fine art logistics. We manage specialised international art shipping, custom export paperwork, and customs clearance to move artwork securely across international borders.
-
What makes specialist art logistics different from standard courier services?
Standard couriers are designed for general freight. Specialist art logistics focuses on risk reduction, controlled handling, secure packaging and careful coordination. Fine art requires an understanding of fragility, provenance documentation and the expectations of collectors and institutions.
-
Where is your secure art storage facility located?
Our secure UK art storage facility is located in Colnbrook, Berkshire, right next to Heathrow Airport. This prime location offers artists, galleries, and collectors rapid transit access to central London galleries and major international flight routes.
“When you’re dealing with a whole museum exhibition’s worth of art, you need to know the work is in a safe pair of hands, and there’s no safer hands than Flight Logistics!”
VANGUARD STREET ART
ShipArt™ – Art on Wheels Vehicle Wrap Public Art Program
Visit our ArtOnWheels page dedicated to the wonderful collection of past and present artist wrapped delivery vans in our fleet.
