How to ship art and painting safely from Myanmar

Recent art fairs worldwide show renewed enthusiasm in the global art market. Italy, for example, celebrated the comeback of Arte Fiera in Bologna after a two-year hiatus, attracting 25,000 visitors in 2022, a figure that doubled in 2023. Meanwhile, the 2023 Korea International Art Fair (KIAF) saw unprecedented attendance and sales.

Myanmar's art scene, rich in tradition and innovation, has not been left behind. Genuine Burmese paintings by famous artists have been fetching prices between US$5,200 to US$7,000, The Irrawaddy reported. This positive trend in the arts opens doors for business owners, especially as public exposure to varied art forms grows. However, before you can successfully tap into the global art market, the challenge of shipping these beautiful pieces across borders cannot be overlooked.

Challenges of shipping artwork internationally

1. Inadequate safety

Transporting art overseas extends well beyond the standard packing and sending practices used to send fragile goods to a buyer within Myanmar. Shipping these exports requires more attention to the packaging materials and labelling and how each painting should be managed, for you may easily find yourself facing a tragic mishap with your artwork.

2. High shipping cost

When shipping fine art from Myanmar, such as a traditional canvas painting, the expenses aren't solely determined by your chosen way of shipping. What you also need to factor in is the charges for shipping insurance to protect you against damages, which can easily add up to a considerable amount. Calculating these costs in advance prepares you against unwanted surprises. With these challenges in mind, how then should you ship these artworks overseas to ensure their integrity while securing the cheapest shipping fees?

How do you pack art for shipping?

Shipping artwork internationally safely requires thoughtful packing. Here are some practical tips for how to pack a painting and other art forms for shipping:

1. Unframed paintings

Shipping unframed Burmese paintings is generally seen as less expensive and risky compared to their framed counterparts. This is because they can be rolled up and placed in a painting tube, reducing both weight and shipping costs. To ship an unframed painting, follow these steps:

• Sandwich the painting between two layers of glassine and roll it around a smaller tube.
• Secure the rolled art with easily removable adhesive paper.
• Encase the painting with bubble wrap and seal it completely.
• Insert the artwork into the shipping tube, filling any gaps with bubble wrap to minimise movement.
• Seal the tube securely.

2. Framed paintings

Framed paintings, particularly those with glass, present more challenges. They require more materials and careful handling, contributing to higher shipping expenses. Here’s how to pack and ship a framed piece of art:

• Cover the painted side of the canvas with glassine paper.
• Fold the glassine paper against the painting's edges, securing it with adhesive tape (the tape should only touch the glassine paper).
• Protect the painting with at least two layers of bubble wrap.
• Position the painting between two sheets of plywood or Styrofoam and secure it with adhesive tape.
• Place the painting inside a durable box for shipping with sufficient cushioning materials surrounding it.
• Seal the box with adhesive tape, marking all surfaces with a "Fragile" label.

2. Sculptures and installations

Unlike paintings, sculptures and installations for shipping require a more tailored approach as they differ greatly in size, weight, and fragility. However, here are some general guidelines:

• Choose rigid boxes that extend 5 to 10 cm beyond each side of the artwork.

• Stabilise the artwork with shock-absorbing material, filling all spaces between the work and the box.
• Wrap the sculpture in several layers of bubble wrap, focusing on fragile areas. Add multiple layers for adequate protection and secure it with tape.
• Place wedging particles at least 5 cm thick at the bottom of the shipping box.
• Position the sculpture in the box, resting it on the wedging particles, and fill the box completely with additional wedging particles, ensuring all spaces are filled to prevent movement during transport.
• Seal the packaging with tape or screws if using a wooden box. Mark the top and bottom and indicate where to open the packaging, especially if using crates.
• Attach a label identifying the object as fragile.
• Affix the shipping label securely to the box.

Adhering to these guidelines can minimise the risk of damage during transport and ensure that your artworks arrive at their destination safely.

Other considerations when shipping artwork

1. Shipping documentation

Besides packing your artwork well, navigating customs is another critical component. The complexity of the bureaucracy can vary widely from country to country, and doing your homework in advance ensures you know how and what to prepare for to minimise unexpected problems during Customs clearance.

Take exporting to the United States (US) as an example. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), original works of art such as paintings, drawings, pastels, collages, and decorative plaques, whether framed or unframed, are duty-free. However, there's a catch: if the frame's value is considered above normal for the art piece, it may be classified separately and become subject to duty.

Meanwhile, the CBP also stipulates that commercial entries of artworks valued under US$2,500 and items with a value exceeding US$2,500 have different documentation requirements. Failing to pack your exports properly and submit the paperwork in compliance with the Customs’ regulations may lead to frustrating and costly shipment delays.

Besides researching your destination country, you should also be aware of the following documentary requirements of Myanmar’s customs authorities. In Myanmar, exports must be cleared through Customs using the CUSDEC-2 Export Declaration Form and the CUSDEC-4 Customs Valuation Form. Additionally, other essential documents to be submitted to Customs before the export of the goods include:

• Export Licence/Export Permit or Exporter/Importer Registration Certificate, Company Registration, Form VI and Form XXVI if the export items are not subject to an export licence
• Invoice 
• Packing 
• Sales contract
• Shipping instructions
• Booking note

2. Be aware of prohibited items

In line with international standards, the Ministry of Commerce also prohibits the export of certain items, such as:

• Diamond
• Ivory
• Elephants, horses, and rare animals
• Arms and Ammunition
• Antiques

Exporters of fine art should take special care that their artwork does not contain these items or parts of them. Failing to comply with these restrictions not only affects your shipping schedule but can also potentially result in serious legal consequences.

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