Bringing art from Europe to USA

franklinstowr · Thu Jul 20, 2017 2:24 pm

Anyone have experience bringing art from Europe to the US on a commercial flight? I'm looking to buy a piece from the Fairey Printed Matters Portugal show but shipping is expensive. Preliminary quote is $900 USD.
As it turns out I will be visiting Lisbon in October and was thinking I could just transport it on my flight home.

Any input would be appreciated.

soam24 · Thu Jul 20, 2017 2:27 pm

Put it in a tube and carry it on. No issue. *Assuming it's a print in a tube*

If it's a flat piece you're probably better off shipping.

franklinstowr · Thu Jul 20, 2017 2:35 pm

Its a flat piece and i really don't want to spend $900 to ship it. That's @ 25% of what the art costs.

If I can take it with me on the plane and save $1K, i will . I am just concerned about possible issues with bringing a fairly expensive piece through customs , etc.

soam24 · Thu Jul 20, 2017 2:47 pm

franklinstowr wrote:Its a flat piece and i really don't want to spend $900 to ship it. That's @ 25% of what the art costs.

If I can take it with me on the plane and save $1K, i will . I am just concerned about possible issues with bringing a fairly expensive piece through customs , etc.

I'm assuming a flat piece couldn't go through carryon based on size? You'd have to check with the airlines on that.

Leaving you the option to either ship it, or put it under the plane. Not sure which is safer.
I wouldn't worry about US customs.

noweyesee · Thu Jul 20, 2017 5:47 pm

Box it up nice and safe and check it in as extra luggage. Should cost around $100 or so additional, but of course every airline is different. It's basically like bringing an extra suitcase.

I did it once before from US to Europe. Pack it really well though because the baggage dudes don't care and toss stuff around. They deal with lots of heavy luggage so one can't blame them.

Customs doesn't care so that's no issue.

Edit: airlines have size and weight limits (although it's quite large) so just be sure your Andre isn't that giant.

stuckeyc · Thu Jul 20, 2017 6:13 pm

Is that the estimate they gave you? I didn't get a shipping estimate on mine yet

franklinstowr · Thu Jul 20, 2017 11:06 pm

That was the preliminary quote they gave. They are supposed to get back to me within the next few days with a better idea of ship costs. If you hear anything, let me know