What is a "bug stamp"? What about a "gantry"? What is the difference between "Full Risk" and "Limited" Insurance? We wrote short, digestible definitions of terminology you might hear thrown around when it comes to shipping fine art and high-value items.
We've written short, digestible definitions of phrases and terminology you might hear thrown around when it comes to shipping fine art and high-value items.
General
Customs Broker
A licensed individual who works with customs authorities to clear freight on behalf of the importer of record.
Full Risk Insurance
Covers any and all damage acquired in transit "from wall to wall." Policy must be purchased and costs are in addition to shipping charges.
Limited Insurance
Coverage only offered in cases of total loss, including theft, non-delivery, or total damage.
Recipient / Buyer / Importer of Record / Consignee
Individual receiving the works and/or the purchasing party.
Shipper / consignor
Individual who is listed as the seller/releasing party.
Third-party
Agent facilitating shipping services between parties (Also written “3 PL”).
Transport
Air Ride
Air suspension system that absorbs shock and minimizes excessive bumps to avoid damage during transit.
Box truck
A truck typically between 12 - 36 feet, often temperature-controlled, air ride and includes a lift gate.
Cross Docking
When artworks are temporarily staged in a warehouse between truck transport.
Dock to Dock
Shipments that originate in and deliver to locations with an elevated platform. Does not include ground level doorways or garages.
Dual Driver
Two drivers are present throughout the entire transport.
Exclusive use
Dedicated truck use for a single shipment.
Fine art shuttle
Climate-controlled, air ride road transportation operated by two fine art technicians. Weekly, biweekly or monthly routine routes and consolidated cargo keep costs low but require flexible collection and delivery windows.
Flatbed truck
Open cargo area with only a bed and no walls, used for transporting oversize artworks.
Freight Forwarding
Facilitates the shipment of crates between countries via air and sea, not including specialized art handling services.
High Cube
A modified tractor trailer that allows for higher internal height, reaching up to 120 inches.
Lift Gate
Hydraulic platform attached to the back of some trucks. Often required when there is not a dock to receive or release.
Line Haul Transport
Warehouse to warehouse trucking, not including local services.
Sprinter van
A vehicle used for local collections and deliveries of small artworks, or locations that cannot be reached by larger trucks.
Temperature control
Maintains temperature in the cargo area, typically between 68 - 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tractor trailer
Largest fine art shipping vehicle, with an average length of 53 feet. Door heights range from 105 - 115”. See High Cube.
Packing
a-frame
Wooden travel frame used to transport works at a lean if oversized.
cavity pack
Fitted foam sections into cardboard box or crate to fill empty space and support artwork.
IPPC Bug Stamp
Required seal that certifies that the wood used in the crate is heat-treated and meets IPCC standards: debarked and heat treated.
Oz-clips
Permanent hardware that screws into the back of an artwork to secure it in a travel frame or crate.
ply box
A plywood box substitute for a more substantial crate.
Polyeutherine
Inexpensive plastic covering, non-abrasive and non-stick for wrapping framed and acrylic works. Not suitable for long-term storage. Often referred to as “Poly”.
Shadow Box or Collar
To protect delicate or wet surfaces, a cardboard collar fits around the edges of an artwork creating space between the surface of the work and any other object. Plastic or cardboard faces are used to further protect.
Slat Crate
Wooden crate without walls only internal framing. Used for works with sensitive surfaces that cannot touch padding, or to save costs on wood for siding.
slipcase
Cardboard container used for shuttle transit of two-dimensional works. Not suitable for freight shipments.
soft packing
General term for packing artworks in materials including but not limited to; blankets, bubble, plastic, cardboard.
sonotube
Brand of heavy tube where two-dimensional artworks are wrapped on the outside.
Travel Frame (T-Frame)
Open wooden container used to hang artworks with relief around the edges during transit. T-frames can be packed into larger enclosed crate. T-frames can also have poly or coroplast walls.
tri-wall crate
Slat crate with tri-wall cardboard sheets used for siding.
tube
Cylindrical packing for two-dimensional artwork. Pieces are rolled and placed inside.
tyvec
High-quality brand of plastic wrapping, see Polyeurethine.
Handling and equipment
Condition Check / Conditioning
Formal review of an artwork at collection or delivery to inspect for damage, alterations and record the current status of the item.
dolly
Wheeled platform for moving crates.
forklift
Vehicle for lifting oversized crates, weighing roughly over 500lbs.
Gantry
Frame with an adjustable hook used for lifting and placing sculptural artworks of varying sizes but often used for oversize or heavy pieces or crates.
genie lift
Brand of lifting equipment used for installation of heavy artworks in small locations.
Hand truck (US) / Sack barrow (UK)
Wheeled metal cart with tall handles used to move crates.
hardware
Installation equipment including but not limited to: d-rings, cleats, oz-clips, wire, and wall mounts.
pallet jack
Form of forklift used for the maneuvering of palletized items or crates, operated by hand.
Warehousing and storage
Climate Controlled vs. Non-Climate
Warehouses have designated climate-controlled areas that monitor temperature and humidity. Non-climate storage is available at a lower rate.
open storage
Communal storage space at an economical rate.
viewing room
White wall gallery space used for displaying, photographing, and condition reporting of artworks on-site at a warehouse
Warehouse Handling Fee (or Dock Fee)
Administrative fee for warehouses to receive in and release artworks. Typically billed to an existing client account. Can be included in any ARTA estimate, per client request.
Documents
Bill of Lading (BOL) (US) / Col / Del Note (UK)
Document with collection and delivery locations, signed by releasing and receiving parties for proof of transport.
Certificate of Insurance [COI]
Proof of insurance and worker’s compensation coverage for external companies to perform tasks on site. Typically required by large residential or commercial buildings.
Commercial Invoice / Pro-forma Invoice
Record of sale, including artwork details, purchasing party and price of an artwork. Pro-forma invoices are issued prior to the actual sale.
condition report
Document typically required for insurance to note any damage or status changes at collection or delivery. Commonly includes images, diagrams and written notes.
Power of Attorney [POA]
Provides authorization for the customs broker to clear freight on behalf of the importer of record. Form will be provided by the customs broker to the consignee for completion prior to entry into the designated delivery country.
Seaway / Airway Bill [SWB / AWB]
Receipt for the contract of carriage. Unique SWB/AWB numbers can be tracked online.
Importing and exporting
bond
When goods are imported and payment of duty or import VAT is deferred, so long as the work does leave the bonded premises under which it is stored. This is often used with items in long-term storage.
customs bond
A contract used for guaranteeing that a specific obligation will be fulfilled between customs and an importer for any given import transaction. Usually used to guarantee the payment of import duties and taxes.
free circulation
Goods that have been produced in the European Union (EU), or that have been imported into an EU country with duty paid.
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)
A fee collected by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to process merchandise entering into the U.S., paid at the time of entry summary.
temporary import (TI) / temporary admission (TA)
When goods are temporarily imported into a country without payment of duties, by posting a bond to guarantee that they will be exported.