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International Art Shipping

Safe, Professional Transport for Fine Art, Sculptures and Exhibition Pieces

Whether you’re shipping a single piece or managing transport for an international exhibition, our international art shipping service ensures safe, reliable handling from start to finish. From specialist packing to customs support and delivery, we provide everything you need for smooth, secure shipment worldwide.

  • Specialist crating and protective packaging for fine art and sculptures
  • Worldwide import and export services for artistic installations
  • Full customs paperwork for permanent and temporary shipments
  • UK-wide collection and global delivery to museums, fairs and galleries
OBTAIN A FREE INTERNATIONAL ART SHIPPING QUOTATION

Specialist Art Freight Services for Global Exhibitions

When it comes to moving high-value or delicate artwork, there’s no room for error. Our international art shipping service is designed specifically for galleries, museums and organisers of fairs or exhibitions who require expert handling and complete reliability. Whether you’re shipping a sculpture to Europe, a canvas to Asia or preparing a full exhibition tour, we provide the logistical expertise to make it happen.

At Barrington Freight, we offer secure, fully managed transport options for art archivists, curators, dealers and others. With years of experience as fine art shippers, our team understands the importance of care, discretion and precise planning.

To get started simply give us a call 01268 525 444 or request an online shipping quote.

Contact us for help with Art Freight

Custom Packing & Crating

Every artwork is unique and so are its packaging requirements. We are able to supply bespoke wooden crates for both framed and freestanding artworks, as well as competitively priced shock-absorbent materials ideal for sculptures and larger installations. For sea freight routes, we also offer moisture-resistant packaging to safeguard delicate surfaces from humidity and salt exposure.

Whether you are transporting a single oil painting or a collection of antique sculptures, all items are packed to museum-grade standards. Each crate includes tailored internal supports to protect against vibration, stacking pressure and fluctuations in temperature, ensuring your pieces arrive in perfect condition.

Contact us for information on export packing for art and get a tailored quote for your international shipment.

Road, Sea and Freight Options for Global Coverage

Our art freight services are available worldwide via road and sea. We also offer air freight for urgent shipments, although we do not use dedicated cargo aircraft.

  • Road Freight: Ideal for European deliveries, our LTL (less-than-truckload) and FTL (full truckload) options provide flexible, cost-effective services across the continent. Groupage is also available for smaller consignments.
  • Sea Freight: Suited for larger or heavier pieces, we offer both FCL (full container load) and LCL (less than container load) shipping for longer-distance moves. Ideal for international galleries shipping exhibitions abroad.
  • Air Freight: When time is of the essence, we offer consolidated air services. This allows your shipment to travel on scheduled commercial or cargo flights—more affordable than booking a full aircraft.

For art dealers coordinating international acquisitions and exhibitions, our international art shipping services cover both export and import requirements with full documentation support. 

Get a free Quote for Art Freight today

Case Study: Art Freight for Bronze Sculptures to Belgium

We arranged the secure transport of two award-winning bronze sculptures from the UK to Belgium. Understanding the challenges of commercial art freight for high-value pieces, we coordinated with a trusted customs agent to streamline EU import procedures. Using a dedicated 7.5-tonne vehicle, the statues were delivered safely within 24 hours, arriving in perfect condition.

Customer Reviews

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Sam McGowan profile picture
Sam McGowan
17 August 2026
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Fantastic Service. Lee organised a last minute pickup from Sweden back to England. The shipment was under Carnet. Very good professional service at a competitive rate! I will be using them again.
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Louise Ponsford profile picture
Louise Ponsford
13 August 2026
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Excellent service from start to finish. Simon at Barrington Freight handled our crate of mechanical machine parts from the UK to Canada with exceptional care, keeping us informed throughout. His Canadian agent also arranged customs clearance, making the entire process straightforward and stress-free. Highly recommended.
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Proydohi profile picture
Proydohi
6 August 2026
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I would like to thank the entire Barrington Freight team for their professional work and assistance in organizing the shipment of my cargo to the UK. I will definitely use their services again. Highly recommended.
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Mike Yeo profile picture
Mike Yeo
23 July 2026
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The team at Barrington Freight were brilliant, leading us through the minefield that is exports to the EU. Nothing was too much trouble and we received immediate answers to all our many questions. We will definitely use them again and recomend them to anyone.
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Courtney Freeman profile picture
Courtney Freeman
22 June 2026
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We had a fantastic experience importing our goods from Florida and honestly couldn’t fault the service. The quote was quick and easy, booking was straightforward and everything was handled smoothly from start to finish. As this was our first import we needed a bit of guidance along the way but Simon was brilliant. He took care of everything, kept us updated throughout and was always on hand to answer our questions. What seemed like a complicated process was made incredibly simple and stress free. The customer service was excellent, communication was spot on and our shipment arrived without any issues. We wouldn’t hesitate to use them again and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable freight forwarder. Thanks again for making our first import such a positive experience!
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Katie r Smith profile picture
Katie r Smith
18 June 2026
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Simon looked after our air freight import from China and provided an excellent service throughout. The shipment arrived safely and quicker than expected, with clear communication at every stage. We were very pleased with the experience and will definitely use Simon and his team at Barrington Freight again in the future.
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Phil Holloway profile picture
Phil Holloway
18 June 2026
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We needed to get a shipment out to the USA quickly and Simon made the whole process far easier than we expected. Communication was straightforward, we were kept updated throughout, and everything arrived on time without any issues. It's refreshing to deal with someone who knows exactly what they're doing and gets things done. We'd happily use Simon again for future air freight shipments.
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James Roberts profile picture
James Roberts
15 June 2026
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Matt really looked after us and made our shipment completely stress free, I will be using the services of Barrington Freight for all my overseas shipments from now on. Thanks Matt, great service
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General Enquiries
23 April 2026
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We have had consistently excellent service from Barrington Freight. Our main contact, Joshua Armstrong, is always incredibly helpful and reliable. He goes above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly. Communication is clear and prompt and any issues are handled quickly and efficiently. It's reassuring to know that everything is in safe hands from start to finish. I would highly recommend Barrington Freight to anyone looking for dependable and professional logistics partner.
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George Dunster profile picture
George Dunster
10 April 2026
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We had a time-critical air freight shipment coming in from China to the UK and Simon was a huge help in getting it over the line. Right before arrival, an issue came up due to a mistake from the airline, which could have turned into a real headache. Simon picked it up straight away, dealt with it quickly and managed to sort everything without any extra costs on our side. Really solid support throughout and easy to deal with, especially given the urgency. Another great job by Barrington Freight - we’ll definitely be using them again!
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Euphoric Bedding profile picture
Euphoric Bedding
1 April 2026
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Good service during a turbulent global shipping period. Special thanks goes to Lee for his efficiency and proactive updates and for rescheduling a delivery in less than 24hrs when the haulage company didn’t read their own paperwork and sent a lorry without the requested tail lift. Highly recommended.
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The Greens profile picture
The Greens
5 March 2026
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Great communication, competitive and efficient delivery
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Shannon Sharp profile picture
Shannon Sharp
4 March 2026
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We’ve worked with Barringtons for the past two years, and the service has been excellent throughout. Every shipment has been handled with great care and real personal attention. A special thanks to Simon, who has been outstanding—always professional, responsive, and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommended!
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Peter Aylmore
4 March 2026
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Barringtons always have worked well for us . They are efficient with the import / export paperwork . Always answer very quickly with both quotations and any issues. prices always competitive , indeed recently saved our customer a considerable sum on an export job. Truly excellent service
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Paul Newby profile picture
Paul Newby
4 March 2026
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As first time importers, we are very happy with the service Barrington provided. Sean guided us through the whole process and was very patient with our questions. We will be happy to use them again for future shipments
INTERNATIONAL ART SHIPPING INFORMATION

Effortless Art Freight Services

Temporary Art Shipping for Exhibitions and Shows

We understand that many shipments are not permanent. Art fairs, museum loans and showcases often involve the temporary export and reimport of items. In these cases, we support clients with ATA Carnets, a document that allows artworks to move between countries temporarily without incurring duties or VAT.

We’ll handle:

  • Handling of the ATA Carnet once it has been processed by the exporter
  • Route planning based on customs requirements
  • Return logistics after the event concludes

Whether you’re preparing for Art Basel, the Venice Biennale or a travelling gallery installation, our temporary international art shipping services are trusted by professionals across the creative and heritage sectors.

Get a free international art shipping quote today
Customs Clearance Compliance for Fine Art Shippers

Navigating international customs can be complex, especially when the goods involved are valuable or culturally significant. That’s why our fine art shippers work closely with customs experts to ensure all declarations, classifications and documents are accurate. Whether you’re sourcing works from abroad or returning collections after a fair or show, we handle customs procedures for permanent and temporary shipments alike. 

From major art hubs in Europe to destinations further afield, our team ensures each piece is cleared, documented and transported efficiently, minimising delays and ensuring compliance at every step. We regularly work with art dealers managing high-value stock across multiple countries and can coordinate shipments to align with event schedules or gallery openings.

We’ll take care of:

  • Export declarations for outbound shipments
  • Import clearance, including valuation and commodity codes
  • Paperwork for temporary imports
  • Coordination with customs officials for smooth processing

You’ll avoid unnecessary delays, errors or penalties, all while gaining peace of mind that your shipment is compliant at every stage.

UK COLLECTION AND GLOBAL DELIVERY FOR ART SHIPMENTS

Here at Barrington Freight, we provide complete door-to-door services for both domestic and international clients. Whether your shipment is travelling a few hundred miles or heading across continents, we manage every step of the process.

We offer:

  • UK-wide collection from galleries, museums, and storage units
  • Direct delivery to international venues, museums and auction houses
  • Flexible scheduling, including express and weekend collections

From a framed painting going to a fair in France to a full sculpture collection destined for a Middle East exhibition, we tailor every aspect of transport to the needs of the artwork and the customer. We can also handle pick-ups from overseas galleries for onward transportation to another establishment in the same country or another one.

WHY CHOOSE BARRINGTON FREIGHT FOR ART SHIPPING?

Art logistics require more than just transport – they demand attention to detail, sensitivity and specialist knowledge. As experienced fine art shippers, we support museums, artists, and cultural institutions across the UK with:

Whether you’re shipping fine art, sculptures or mixed-media installations, we’re here to support your goals from start to finish. Our friendly, knowledgeable team will guide you through every step – no jargon, no guesswork, just professional service.

Contact our team today for a quote and find out how our international art shipping services can support your next project.

Get a free Art Freight quote today
Contact Us for Affordable International Art Shipping

Our transport options are well suited for handling delicate and unusual items – including artwork, sculptures, and other valuable or oddly shaped pieces. Whether it’s a single painting or a large installation, Barrington Freight is here to manage your art logistics with care, precision, and competitive pricing.

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Barrington Freight Ltd,
Bowden House,
Luckyn Lane, Basildon,
Essex SS14 3AX