Shipping Antiques and Artwork Overseas

What is the one item in your home you couldn’t bear to lose? For many of our clients, it isn’t the furniture that can’t be replaced — it’s the 19th-century grandfather clock passed down through the generations, the curated collection of oil paintings or the grand piano that represents the soundtrack of their family life.

Moving these irreplaceable treasures requires more than your average moving company. Shipping antiques overseas requires a steward for your history, as the process is an art form in itself. At International Sea & Air Shipping, we have over 76 years of experience shipping fine art and antiques globally.

We provide the specialized white-glove care, museum-quality crating and logistical mastery needed to ensure your most precious possessions arrive at your new destination in the exact condition they left.

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 206 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Michael Mischke-Reeds 
 
20 February 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We moved from US to Spain, first time we had ever made an overseas move and International Sea & Air were with us every step of the way. Their online inventory helped us choose the right size container (20' vs 40') and the packing/unpacking crews in both locations were superb. All our stuff arrived with nothing broken. Highest rating, will use again if we ever have the need.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Marina 
 
12 February 2026
 
 
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The entire team from International Sea and Air Shipping have been great! The packing crew that moved us out were very professional: punctual, courteous, efficient, careful with all the packing, left the place clean afterwards... just super! Highly recommended for your international move!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Michael Tittnich 
 
6 February 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I moved from Florida to Leuven, Belgium. International Sea and Air Shipping was great. Niki Tatar was absolutely the best! Increibly responsive, fast replies, as well as Jeanine and the rest of the crew in the US and in Europe. Everyone was professional, prompt, and careful with my stuff. Really well packed. I very highly recommend this team.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Natasha Agolli 
 
5 February 2026
 
 
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International SEA &Air Shipping thank you so very much for your excellent service, moving from USA to a country overseas to Eurpe is not a simple task but Janine helped us through the process, much to our amazement we did not have anything broke when it arrived, from booking to packing to shipping to arrival of shipment everything went really smoothly. The entire team was wonderful to work  ,  very professional !
SEA  &  Air Shipping for a prefect move .
Sincerely Natasha !
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 S G 
 
26 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I moved my air cargo from the New York area to Baku, Azerbaijan. All 26 boxes arrived, and nothing was lost or broken. One painting arrived slightly deformed, which I believe may have been due to humidity, but overall I was very relieved that the shipment made it safely.

The local agency in Azerbaijan, Globallink Logistics, was excellent. Rana was incredibly responsive, professional, and supportive throughout the entire process. The local crew who delivered, unpacked, and assembled my furniture did a great job, and the team was very helpful with handling customs. The Azerbaijani side really made the arrival process much smoother.

On the U.S. side, Jeanine and Niki were both very responsive, and Jeanine in particular was consistently helpful. There were, however, a couple of stressful aspects. The final cost ended up being about $2,000 higher than initially expected, which was significant. There was also a misunderstanding around furniture disassembly in the U.S. I was told by email that simple furniture disassembly was not included, but both Niki and Roni, as well as the crew at my apartment, said they do disassembly. In the end, my furniture was disassembled at the warehouse rather than at my home, which was not what had been communicated to me from the beginning of the process.

While communication from the U.S. side was generally responsive, I did feel that some parts of the process could have been explained more clearly via email. International shipping is complex, and I often had to do my own comprehensive research to fully understand how the logistics worked.

That said, in terms of delivery, coordination, and especially local support in Azerbaijan, the shipment itself was handled well. I’m very grateful to the Globallink team and to Rana in particular for their professionalism and responsiveness.

Overall, I would recommend International Air&Sea Shipping for international relocation, especially if you are moving to the Caucasus or this region. Many U.S. logistics companies I contacted were unprofessional or did not ship to Azerbaijan at all, so finding a company that could handle this route and execute the delivery was very important.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Olivia Agnew 
 
15 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
This company was amazing! After months of searching for an affordable option, I'm so glad we found them. We moved about 800 pounds of belongings from the US to Australia and everything went smoothly. Communication was good and staff was friendly. Would definitely use them again!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Magdalena Coll 
 
12 January 2026
 
 
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Excellent people! Excellent service!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Milly Sequera Huss 
 
10 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Great overall experience from pick up to delivery. Good customer service and no issues with the items. They all arrived in good condition. Very happy customer!
  
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
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Are Your Most Precious Belongings Safe in Transit?

Standard international moving procedures are designed for durability, but they’re often insufficient for the delicate nature of fine art and antiques. When moving fine art internationally, the standard approach — placing items in cardboard boxes or general-purpose containers — can expose your investments to devastating risks.

The Hidden Risks of Standard International Moving for Antiques and Artwork

Without a specialist partner, your valuable item faces threats that generic movers may not even recognize:

• Vibration and shock: The constant vibration of a ship’s engine or the turbulence of air freight can cause micro-fractures in porcelain or loosen the joints of antique joinery.
• Climate fluctuations: Drastic changes in humidity and temperature as a container moves across the equator can cause wood to warp, canvas to slacken, or veneers to crack.
• Improper stacking: In a consolidated container, heavier boxes can crush fragile items if not properly braced or separated.

While our physical protection is world-class, we also believe in preparing for the unforeseen. We strongly recommend securing comprehensive shipping insurance to provide total financial peace of mind for the full appraised value of your collection.

Specialized White Glove Services for Irreplaceable Items

You need a service that will preserve your items as well as move them. Our international art shipping services are modeled after the standards used by world-renowned museums and galleries. We offer a true white glove experience, meaning hands-on, specialist care from the moment we enter your home until the final placement in your new residence.

Museum-Quality Custom Crating

Off-the-shelf packaging is never enough for unique items. Our team designs and builds custom crating solutions tailored to the exact dimensions and fragility of your piece, including:

• Timber crates: We use crates built to ISPM-15 international standards for heat-treated wood.
• Bespoke bracing: Internal foam cushioning and bracing prevent any movement inside the crate.

Climate-Controlled Storage and Transport Solutions

To combat humidity and temperature spikes, we can offer specialized climate-controlled solutions in some of our warehouses. Whether you need temporary storage before transit or specific climate parameters during the voyage, we utilize secure container moving options designed to maintain a stable environment for your sensitive goods.

“Do Not Stack” and Dedicated Container Options 

For high-value collections or extremely fragile items, we always recommend our custom crating options to protect your goods. For smaller shipments, we implement strict “Do Not Stack” protocols when packing fragile items for international moves using physical separation barriers to maintain integrity.s and place it in the room of your choice on the ground floor.

Navigating Global Customs for Cultural Goods

Moving antiques isn’t just about weight and volume — it’s about history and law. International regulations regarding cultural property are strict to prevent illicit trafficking.

Understanding the 100-Year Duty Rule (CBP and Global Standards)

One of the most common questions we receive is about import taxes. Generally, for imports into the United States and many other nations, items that are over 100 years old are classified as antiques and may be entered duty-free. Proper documentation may be required, such as appraisals, provenance records, or expert verification. 

The import rules and regulations vary by destination country. We can help navigate this complex process to get your artwork or antiques through customs smoothly.

• The rule: According to 19 CFR 10.53 and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidelines, you must prove the age of the item to qualify for this exemption.
• Our role: We help you navigate complex customs requirements by assisting with the necessary declaration and proof-of-age documentation to avoid unnecessary taxes.

It’s important to note that importing antiques may be subject to local state tax, processing fees, or cultural property regulations. commend checking the CITES website or the guide on ivory import and export rules.

CITES and Restricted Materials

Many antiques contain materials that are now protected under international law, such as ivory piano keys, tortoiseshell inlays or Brazilian rosewood. Shipping these without a CITES permit can lead to immediate seizure. We are familiar with the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act restrictions and will guide you on what can and cannot be legally shipped.

Documentation Assistance for Provenance and Ownership

Customs officials often require provenance — a documented history of ownership — to prove an item was not looted or stolen. We assist you in compiling the correct inventories, appraisals and receipts to satisfy even the strictest customs audits.

How We Protect Your Investment: Our Process

Wondering how to ship artwork internationally without the stress? We have refined our process over seven decades to ensure transparency and safety at every step.

Step 1: On-Site Consultation and Inventory Assessment

It starts with a free survey. Our specialists (available in person or virtually) assess the specific needs of your collection, identifying items that require crating, disassembly or climate control.

Step 2: Expert Packing and Crating

On moving day, our expert crew arrives with all necessary materials. We employ professional packing services using techniques like floating — suspending an item in foam — to eliminate shock transfer.

Step 3: Secure Ocean or Air Freight

We coordinate the safest route for your budget.

• Air freight: Best for high-value, time-sensitive art to minimize exposure time.
• Ocean freight: Ideal for larger antique furniture shipments, secured in sealed containers.

Step 4: Destination Delivery and White Glove Unpacking

Our service doesn’t end at the port. We arrange for comprehensive destination services or specific delivery services via our partner network, including delivery to your new residence, careful uncrating and removal of all packing debris so you can enjoy your treasures immediately.

Why Trust International Sea & Air Shipping With Your Legacy?

Beyond getting your valuable and sentimental antiques to your destination efficiently and safely, here are some other ways we stand out in this industry. 

76 Years of Global Logistics Expertise

We’re a legacy company moving your legacies. With over 76 years of operation and a network of over 600 global agents,  we have on-the-ground expertise to handle complex logistics in virtually any country.

Comprehensive All-Risk Marine Insurance

We plan for perfection, but we prepare for everything. Our All-Risk Marine Insurance policies are designed specifically for household goods and fine art, offering you the ultimate safety net against the unpredictable nature of global travel.

Get a Free Quote for Your Fine Art and Antique Move

Put your legacy in safe hands. Trust the experts who view your possessions as history, not just cargo. Get a quote today for a transparent, no-obligation estimate. Need expert advice on a specific item? Contact us or ask about our free pre-move survey to get a customized assessment of your antique shipping needs.

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