How to Ship Art, Paintings, and Crafts from Nigeria to the USA Safely

Nigerian contemporary art, traditional wood carvings, and handmade crafts are gaining significant attention in the United States. Collectors, gallery owners, and art enthusiasts in cities like New York and Atlanta frequently buy these items. For Nigerian artists and merchants, this international interest offers a great opportunity to grow their businesses.

However, shipping delicate paintings and heavy sculptures across the Atlantic requires careful preparation. Artwork is fragile, and temperature changes during flights can damage materials like oil paints and natural wood. Additionally, you must follow specific customs rules to ensure your items clear customs without delays.

How to pack paintings for air transport

The packing method you choose depends on whether the painting is framed or unframed. Proper protection prevents creases, scratches, and paint cracking.

• Unframed canvases: The safest way to ship an unframed canvas is to roll it. Place a sheet of acid-free glassine paper over the painted surface. This paper prevents the paint from sticking to itself or getting scratched. Roll the canvas loosely, with the painted side facing outwards. Slide the rolled canvas into a heavy-duty cardboard or plastic shipping tube, and seal both ends with packing tape. For details on how paints react to storage, you can refer to Wikipedia’s guide on painting conservation.
• Framed paintings: If you must ship the painting in its frame, do not roll it. Instead, cover the glass or acrylic front with painter’s tape in a large ‘X’ shape. This tape holds the pieces together if the glass breaks. Place protective cardboard corners on the frame. Wrap the entire piece in three layers of bubble wrap, and place it inside a heavy-duty box. Fill all empty spaces with packing peanuts so the frame cannot slide around inside the box.

How to package wooden crafts and sculptures

Wooden items are sensitive to humidity changes. Dry air in airplane cargo holds can cause wood to shrink or crack if the item is not packed correctly.

Wrap each wooden sculpture in foam sheets to cushion the wood. Next, add a layer of bubble wrap to protect the detailed carvings. When placing the item in a cardboard box or wooden crate, ensure that no part of the sculpture touches the walls of the box. Use crumpled paper or packing foam to fill all gaps. If you are shipping a large or heavy sculpture, building a wooden crate around the piece is the safest option.

Navigating U.S. customs for art imports

Original paintings, drawings, and sculptures enter the United States duty free under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. However, you must present the correct documentation to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Make sure to include a commercial invoice that clearly describes the item. Instead of writing “art,” write a specific description like “original oil painting on canvas, unframed.” You must also include the artist’s name, the title of the work, and the materials used. If you are shipping wooden crafts, customs officials will inspect the wood to ensure it is free from pests. You can read more about these rules on the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Choosing the right shipping route

For high value art, shipping speed and tracking are essential. Haulam provides two reliable routes to ship from Nigeria to the USA.

The Express Export service is ideal for urgent gallery deliveries or high-value sales. It delivers the items in 3 to 5 working days and includes step-by-step tracking. For bulk shipments of handmade crafts or smaller paintings, the Value Export service is a more economical option, delivering your items to the USA in 5 to 15 working days.

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