Most of a shipment can be handled by category. Art and antiques cannot, because each piece has its own value, its own fragility and occasionally its own paperwork.
We connect your enquiry with a vetted international moving company from our network that handles fine pieces to a different standard from ordinary household goods.
Valuation matters more here than anywhere else in the move. A general household figure spread across the shipment leaves valuable pieces underinsured, and the shortfall only becomes visible after damage.
Antique furniture and decorative objects sometimes contain materials from protected species, including ivory and tortoiseshell inlay. These face restrictions that have nothing to do with customs duty, so declare them and check before shipping.
art and antiques are crated individually, valued individually and insured individually. The complication people do not expect is materials: older pieces can contain things that face restrictions at the border.
Crating replaces wrapping. A purpose built crate protects against impact and crushing in a way blankets and cartons cannot, and for anything genuinely valuable it is not optional.
Documentation replaces assumption. Condition reports and photographs taken before packing establish what state a piece was in, which is exactly what any later claim turns on.
Valuation is individual. Insurance priced from a household total does not protect a specific painting, and the gap between the two only becomes apparent at the worst possible moment.
| ❗ | A valuation for each piece, not a total for the collection. |
| ❗ | Photographs recording existing condition, including any old repairs. |
| ❗ | Whether any piece contains ivory, tortoiseshell or similar restricted materials. |
| ❗ | Provenance documents where they exist, kept with you rather than in the shipment. |
| ❗ | Whether anything is too fragile to travel by sea at all. |
| ❗ | Whether the insurance covers pieces individually or as a category. |
| What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Value each piece separately | A single household figure will not protect an individual painting or a specific antique. List them and value them one by one. |
| Photograph condition before packing | Existing marks and repairs documented beforehand are the difference between a straightforward claim and an argument. |
| Check materials on older pieces | Inlay, handles, keys and decorative elements on antiques can contain restricted materials. Establish it before packing day. |
Individually crated rather than wrapped, because crates protect against impact and crushing in a way blankets cannot.
Piece by piece at real value. A household total spread across the shipment leaves valuable items underinsured.
Because a claim turns on what state the piece was in before it travelled. Photographs taken afterwards prove nothing.
Yes. Ivory, tortoiseshell and similar materials appear in inlay, handles and decorative elements on older pieces, and face restrictions separate from customs duty.
Generally yes, on the same use test as other furniture, but the material question sits alongside that and is separate from duty.
Usually yes, properly crated. Some very fragile items are better by air, and that is worth discussing rather than assuming.
Keep them with you where they exist. They matter for insurance and occasionally for the material question.
Often, because the goods are handled fewer times, and handling is where damage happens.
Small and very valuable items often should. Anything that fits in a case and would be irreplaceable is worth keeping with you.
Send your collection address, your US destination, the move date and a list of the valuable pieces with any provenance you have. A moving company from our network surveys them.
Send your move detailsA Working Member of AGM Group. Enquiries are connected with vetted FIDI FAIM certified and BAR Overseas accredited international moving companies from the network.
We are an enquiry service and not art shippers or valuers. Restrictions on protected materials are set by the relevant authorities and should be confirmed with them.
Written by Darren Benjamin, Founder.