How to carry a painting on an airplane as hand luggage. How to transport paintings on an airplane: methods, recommendations

If you have to transport paintings by plane, you need to take into account that airlines impose some requirements for the transportation of paintings. Each carrier has its own conditions. It is allowed to take the painting with you to the salon or check it in as luggage, but it is better to clarify the requirements for dimensions and other parameters of the cargo beforehand.

Maximum dimensions of paintings for transportation hand luggage

Each air carrier sets its own maximum length, width, height and weight of hand luggage that can be taken into the cabin. Here are the parameters for the main airlines:

Airline Number of luggage for economy class Number of luggage for business class Maximum baggage weight for economy class, kg Maximum luggage weight for business class, kg Maximum dimensions of a piece of luggage (length, width, height), cm
AEROFLOT 1 1 10 15 55x40x25
Air China 1 2 5 8 55x40x20
Air France 1 2 12 18 55x35x25
british airways 1 1 23 23 56x45x25
Lufthansa 1 2 8 8 55x40x23
Emirates Airlines 1 2 7 7 55x38x20

Permissible dimensions are calculated taking into account the dimensions of the upper shelves and the space under the passenger seats. A cardboard box (for paintings in a baguette) or a tube will allow you to transport the canvases intact and correctly calculate how much space they take up.

Baggage parameters are measured before boarding the aircraft. If the dimensions exceed the standards, the paintings will have to be handed over to the luggage compartment and an additional payment will be made for this.

Carriage in the luggage compartment

Transportation of a painting in the luggage compartment is an option for transportation if the dimensions of the painting exceed the standards for hand luggage or there is other luggage, so it is not possible to take canvases into the cabin. Transportation without payment is allowed when the weight and dimensions of the package comply with the limits provided by the airlines.

Baggage allowance

The maximum allowed baggage sizes (in our case, pictures) for free transportation with popular airlines are as follows:

Airline Maximum total baggage dimensions

(sum of length, width, height), cm

AEROFLOT 158
Air China 203
Air France 158
british airways 208
Lufthansa 158
Emirates Airlines 150

Air carriers have set maximum baggage weights of 23 and 32 kg for economy and business class, respectively.

Excess baggage

If the dimensions of the paintings in the package will exceed the specified standards, you must pay an additional fee. How much you need to pay for the transportation of paintings depends on which airline the collector or his authorized representative flies, on which route, the class of the cabin.

Excess baggage will not be accepted for transportation if there is not enough space on the plane.

If you have any questions about the transportation of works of art by plane, if you have any problems with the export of paintings, please contact ArtPost. We will help you deal with a difficult situation.

Picture packaging

The main requirement for the packaging of works of art is its reliability. During transportation, it must protect against any mechanical damage and exposure to moisture, temperature changes. The following types of packaging can be used to transport a painting:

  • Tubes - for canvases without frames;
  • Cardboard packaging - for the transportation of paintings in a baguette in the cabin;
  • Plywood boxes - for works of art transported in the luggage compartment.

Any of these packages must be selected taking into account the dimensions of the picture and the requirements for baggage sizes in a particular airline. But to transport the canvas in the luggage compartment, you need to use only a plywood box.

The best option is to entrust the experienced specialists of the ArtPost company. We will take all measures to ensure maximum protection of the artwork. We recommend ordering a package in advance. Depending on the type, the production time is 1-4 days.

Expert opinion - the guarantor of the smooth passage of customs

When preparing for the transportation of a painting, the question is natural: do I need to obtain an export permit? We turn to the legislator for an answer.

Transportation of paintings abroad is regulated by the Law of the Russian Federation No. 4804-1. Normative act was supplemented by Article 11.2, in accordance with Law No. 435-FZ (signed on December 28, 2017). In accordance with this provision, from January 29, 2018, in relation to any paintings, it is necessary to conduct an art examination. Its purpose is to establish whether the canvases are of cultural value or not.

If a work of art is recognized as valuable according to the results of the examination, citizens must obtain permission for transportation from the territorial body of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, and a legal entity and individual entrepreneur - a license. A permit is issued solely on the basis of an art criticism conclusion.

Registration of a permit for the transportation of a canvas recognized as cultural value is subject to state duty, in accordance with Art. 333.33 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation:

  • For citizens in the amount of 5% of the cost of the painting, but not more than 1 million rubles;
  • For individual entrepreneurs and organizations - in the amount of 10% of the cost.

If the law of the EAEU for a work of art does not accept permissive rules for transportation, then a special notice. You need to pay 3 thousand rubles for the document.

If, following the results of an art criticism examination, the painting is not recognized as valuable or its age is less than 50 years, permission from the Ministry of Culture for transportation is not required. However, when passing through customs control, the traveler should have an expert opinion on hand that the painting has no status. cultural value.

Customs officers are not experts in the field of painting and, in the absence of an expert opinion, they may have questions. And if there is a delay at customs, it is not known when it will be possible to take the painting out. Therefore, our experts believe that it is necessary. It will become the guarantor of unhindered passage of border control. The term for issuing an art history report at ArtPost is from one to two days.

Transporting a painting is a difficult, responsible task. Perhaps you are planning to move a painting that you painted on vacation to decorate the walls of your apartment with it. Or perhaps you are the director of a museum and you need to transport a Rembrandt painting from the Louvre to the Hermitage. In any case, our advice will help you transport and pack the painting without cracking or damaging it.

Transportation of paintings is not an easy process, requiring even a transport company highest professionalism- exactly the same, which distinguishes the transportation of LLC "New Level". And the first thing that will need to be done is to pack the picture.

The packaging of the picture must meet several requirements at once. First of all, it should protect the cargo from damage during shaking and jolts during the transportation of the picture. The packaging of the painting must not cause damage to the frame, stretcher, canvas and layers of paint on it. If it is necessary to transport an expensive painting over a long distance, the packaging of the painting must maintain the microclimate familiar to the canvas.

You can transport the painting and pack it different ways. Several packaging options:

  1. How to pack a picture in a frame.

This is a fairly simple case of transporting a painting, because the protruding frame already gives the canvas some protection. Wrap the picture tightly with stretch film or food packaging film (we recommend using food film for transporting the picture as it is softer). Hint - hold the roll of film with the side to be unwound towards the picture, not towards you, this will allow you to tighten the packaging more tightly. Roll up not only the front side, but also the edges of the picture. Then wrap the picture in bubble wrap or polyethylene foam (it is also a substrate for the laminate) so that the edges and joints of the film fall on reverse side and not on the front. Fill the protruding edges of the package to make an “envelope”, glue it crosswise with adhesive tape, glue the edges and joints of the film with it, so that the air remaining inside softens the shocks when transporting the picture. Take two large sheets of corrugated cardboard (the size of the picture you want to pack, taking into account the thickness of the frame) and lay the picture between them. Bend the edges of the cardboard sheets inward, glue all the joints with tape and glue the packaging of the picture crosswise again.

For strength, you can pack the picture not in corrugated cardboard, but between two sheets of plywood or hardboard. You can also order a rigid crate from New Level LLC, or purchase a special case for transporting a painting at an art store. In this form, you can safely transport the picture by car, train or plane.

  1. How to pack a painting on a stretcher.

Technically, packing a painting on a stretcher for shipping is not too different from shipping a painting in a frame. But do not forget that in this case the canvas is more prone to bumps and bumps during the transportation of the picture. Therefore, do not save on packaging materials, transport the paintings in a rigid crate and entrust the transportation of the painting to a reliable transport company New Level LLC!

  1. How to pack a painting without a frame.

This method of transporting a painting is very difficult - when folding, there is a risk of cracking on the paint layer. In many ways - due to the fact that many, fearing for the integrity of the paint, fold the canvas with paint inside. This is mistake! To avoid cracks, fold the painting with the canvas on the inside, the paint on the outside! If the picture is old, cover it with gelatin and spread it with tracing paper.

It is better to wind the canvas for transporting the picture on a strong tube so that the picture does not collapse under its own weight. For the same purpose, you can fill the space in the tube with soft packaging. Place the folded picture carefully into the drawing tube. If the tube is not at hand, you can transport the picture in a plastic pipe of the appropriate length. In this case, the ends of the pipe should be closed with cardboard plugs and sealed with tape.

  1. How to transport a wet painting?

Packing and transporting a wet painting is not an easy task. Any contact with the packaging will leave a mark on the paint layer. It is most reasonable to purchase a special wardrobe trunk for transporting wet paintings, but a few tricks will make it possible to get by with improvised means.

Naturally, wet paintings are transported exclusively on stretchers. For transportation it is better to take two wet paintings exactly the same size. Place them right side up. with a small gap. When packing pictures, in no case do not let them touch the front sides!

Using a staple gun, attach strips of rigid corrugated board to the sides of the stretchers to keep the pictures from touching each other. Technically, four cardboard corners at the corners of both transported paintings can be dispensed with, but continuous fastening improves the strength of the packaging of the paintings.

Do you plan to transport the second painting? Use plywood (you can use corrugated packaging, but this reduces reliability) or hardboard screen of similar dimensions. Make sure that the thickness of the screen allows you to attach the cardboard spacer, otherwise you will have to fix the construction brackets around the perimeter of the transported picture and fix the screen to them. In an art store, you can also purchase special brackets for transporting a wet painting.

After that, wrap the resulting two-picture construction with cling film and pack the transported pictures as described above.

Do not forget that the transportation of the painting in any case does not imply pushing, shaking, and especially the pressure of other goods. Warn the movers of the transport company that the painting should be transported on top of other cargo, or order a painting transportation service from New Level LLC, and your painting will be transported by default in compliance with safety requirements!

  1. How to transport a painting - a museum exhibit?

A separate issue is the transportation of a painting that is museum exhibit, and having a high artistic and commercial value. To transport such a painting is a very difficult and responsible task, which is best entrusted to a professional carrier company New Level LLC. Before transporting a painting-museum exhibit, the restoration commission must give permission for its transportation without fail. An oil painting or a damaged tempera can only be transported between museums and restoration workshops.

For the transportation of paintings of high artistic value, special coatings are used. Most often it is mica tape - a special packaging material, which is a two-layer paper made of special types of wood, lined from the inside with a mica-bitumen-lacquer filler. To transport the picture, air bubble wrap, foam packaging is also used. Such paintings are packed only in cases made of waterproof plywood with a rigid crate. The fastening of the package should protect the transported painting as much as possible from mechanical impact from the packaging or other goods, shaking and vibration during the transportation of the painting, as well as temperature changes.

Transportation of paintings of high value is allowed only in vehicles with regulated indicators of temperature and humidity, while the conditions in the body must exactly correspond to the conditions of storage and exposure of the painting. Before packaging the painting, the packaging materials must be stored for at least two weeks in the same room where the painting is stored.

In the case of a high cost of the transported painting, it is desirable to clarify the route of transportation of the painting, provide the car and the driver with tracking and communication equipment, and organize armed escort for the transportation of the painting. While these measures are standard for high value shipments, make sure the shipping company follows these guidelines. Better yet, entrust the transportation of the picture to a proven and reliable transport company, New Level LLC, whose range of services includes all measures to ensure the safety of the cargo!

If you plan to transport paintings across the state border, do not forget to contact the local department of the Ministry of Culture for a certificate of permission to export cultural objects. Otherwise, the transportation of paintings through customs may not be allowed.

When transporting a painting by plane, it is possible to pack the painting (on top of the packaging described above) in a plastic folder big size. Most airlines check in this packed picture as hand luggage. Try to take a place near the evacuation gate to be able to place a large-format picture.

And remember. The best way to transport a painting - trust the professional and reliable transport company New Level LLC, which has established itself in the market for transporting works of art. Our drivers have experience in delivering paintings, and the loaders are equipped with the necessary packaging materials, which allows New Level LLC to provide a full range of services for packaging and preparing paintings for transportation. In this case, you will save yourself the hassle of packing and transporting the picture - and worrying about your canvases.

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Numerous forums offer information on this topic, but scrolling through several threads already, you will see that commentators often offer conflicting advice. We have tried to structure the main requirements for the transportation of works of art in a single article. But since each air operator has its own internal passenger service regulations, we recommend that you contact the website or call the company's managers to clarify how to transport the painting by plane.

How, from the technical point of view, is the transportation of a painting on an airplane

Transportation in a tube

To transport a painting by air, you need to remove the canvas from the stretcher and carefully roll it upside down. Next, the easiest way is to use a tube of the appropriate size. You can also wrap the canvas with parchment paper and cardboard, pasting the ends with tape.

Transportation of a painting in a box

There are cases when it is simply impossible to fold a work into a “tube” due to disastrous consequences, for example, when there is a risk of craquelure formation on the oil layer or tearing of the paper web. In this case, to transport paintings by plane, you can use a special plastic folder for artists with an appropriate diagonal, or pick up a wooden box. Transportation on the plane can be carried out both in the luggage compartment and in the cabin - if the luggage is not included in the hand luggage compartment above the seat, it is better to ask the flight attendant in advance to find a suitable place for it. How to carry a painting on a plane without any hassle? Buy an emergency exit seat and you'll have enough room to prop her against the wall at her feet without disturbing anyone.

Transportation of antique paintings by plane

IN this case often we are talking about antiques. The canvas can be written several centuries ago, so unnecessary manipulations can harm its integrity, and the frame itself can be of separate value. Please remember that a misunderstanding may occur during loading and unloading, and the fragile work will be irretrievably damaged. A simple rule will help to avoid unnecessary problems: the transportation of paintings by air should be carried out in wooden boxes with a layer of pimply cellophane.

We remind you that each air carrier has its own requirements for the weight and dimensions of hand luggage, which determine the rules for transporting paintings by plane. So, on Aeroflot aircraft in business class, you can carry hand luggage up to 15 kg, and in comfort and economy class up to 10 kg - both there and there with dimensions up to 115 cm on the sum of three sides.

Legal clearance of luggage to transport a painting on an airplane

You already know how to transport a painting by plane across Russia. Now we will tell you how to smuggle a painting across the border, taking into account the execution of all the necessary documentation. So, so that the transportation of paintings on an airplane does not entail problems, it is necessary to evaluate the work of art in advance and obtain permission to export it to other countries. To do this, you must contact the Department of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Service for the Preservation of Cultural Property.

You can get a quick response to your request by providing a full package of documents:

A photocopy of the international passport / certificate of registration of a legal entity;
an application for the transportation of a painting on an airplane outside the Russian Federation;
canvas details: full name artist, year of writing, name of technique, dimensions of the canvas, check or certificate from the author;
3 photos of the canvas with duplicate props.

Transportation of paintings by plane abroad may require additional data to be entered in the customs declaration and payment of duties if the work is of high cultural value. Otherwise, according to the rules for transporting a painting by plane, you may not be allowed to leave your homeland.

Often there is a need to fly to another city or country. From home, of course, I want to take as many memorable and important things as possible. However, if this thing is big picture, then it is worth knowing whether you can take it with you.

Shipping Requirements
Let's start with the fact that all airlines have different requirements for transportation. various items art. The only thing they have in common is the size limit. The average number is approximately one hundred centimeters on all sides with packaging.

However, without a document stating that the painting is of no value to the state, you may not be allowed to leave the country with it. Some travelers were lucky, and they passed without permission. But is it worth the risk?

In order to consider at the border that the canvas is not of proper value, the border guards must examine it for compliance with the documents, so it is worth packing in a transparent film.

Packing the painting for the flight
So that nothing happens to the picture, it should be wrapped in some kind of packaging material. It can be plain paper or mica, or even film.

It is advisable to ask to pack specialists who understand this specificity. So you will have confidence that the art object will remain safe.

If the canvas is valuable, then it is even better to wrap it with a film first so as not to damage it, taking it out for inspection, and then putting it in a cardboard box or even a not very heavy box. Ideally, also insure for some amount to protect yourself in case of trouble.

Transportation by plane
You can take the painting to the salon. Usually, the staff goes forward and takes even larger things into the cabin of the aircraft than is allowed. The canvas can be placed on a shelf, if possible, or by a window, provided that this does not contradict the rules of passenger safety during the flight.

If there are any problems with the design of the picture, then it can always be rolled up into a roll, if the structure of the material from which the plot is made, after putting it in a tube. Also, it is possible to pay a certain amount and arrange it as a transportation of fragile luggage, insuring the painting for a certain amount.

There are several ways to export paintings abroad. The most popular and convenient of them is air transportation.

Self-pickup of paintings aircraft preferred in the following cases:

  • If you need to take the work to a foreign exhibition, which involves the personal presence of the artist/owner of the work;
  • In a situation where it is planned to export an artistic canvas as a gift;
  • If the painting is sold, and the master wishes to personally hand over the valuable cargo to the buyer on the spot;
  • If you need to move overseas permanent place residence.

We follow the letter of the law

The export of works of art (in particular, paintings) is regulated by the RF Law on the Transportation of Cultural Property.

There are three key points in this law:

  1. Only their legal owner or trustee has the right to export cultural property. The power of attorney must be legally executed in accordance with the law;
  2. When transporting, it is necessary to have proof of ownership of the exported goods;
  3. Among the accompanying documents, it is mandatory to have a certificate from the Department of the Ministry of Culture for the Central Federal District on the cultural value of the work.

Along with this, it should be taken into account that each airline may have its own requirements for the transportation of specific and valuable cargo. And these rules change quite often. Therefore, it is better to clarify the nuances with the chosen air carrier in advance.

It will not be superfluous to take into account the general norms for the transportation of art objects.

Getting ready for the examination

As a rule, for independent export of paintings abroad, only a positive conclusion of the examination is sufficient.

This procedure is necessary to confirm the authenticity of the painting, its cultural value and the legality of export.

The examination is carried out by certain specialists of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and is a paid service.

The following documents are required for the operation:

  1. Statement of the owner indicating personal data and a description of the painting;
  2. When exporting two or more paintings, a list of works will be required;
  3. Photographs of each piece of art on both sides (front and back) 10*15 cm in two copies;
  4. Copy of passport (page with photo + registration).

If the desire to export the paintings is not against the law, the applicant will safely receive permission for this procedure.

Packaging is a guarantee of safety

Properly selected packaging will ensure the delivery of valuable cargo safe and sound. When choosing a packaging material, you should start from the size of the picture.

If the dimensions allow transportation by hand luggage, then a tube can be used as packaging. A tube made of multilayer cardboard will protect the canvas from mechanical stress and dirt and will cost quite inexpensively.

A small canvas can be packed in a plastic folder or a cardboard box. It is only necessary that the dimensions correspond to the dimensions of the allowable hand luggage: no more than 10 kg of weight (no more than 15 kg when flying business class). The sum of the dimensions of the three sides should not exceed 115 cm.

When transporting large canvases or several paintings, plywood or wooden boxes are used at once. Transportation is carried out in the luggage compartment.

Professional assistance in transporting paintings

If you value your time, entrust the care of packing valuable cargo and preparing documents to ArtPost.

We offer at your service:

  • Quick examination in one day, followed by obtaining a certificate and permission from the Department of the Ministry of Culture: an invaluable plus in a force majeure situation when deadlines are running out;
  • High-quality and careful packaging of paintings by a professional team.

If you have any questions, we are happy to provide you with a free consultation.


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