Can I carry a painting in hand luggage? How to transport paintings on an airplane: methods, recommendations Is it possible to carry a painting in hand luggage

Few connoisseurs of painting know how to transport paintings correctly. Carefully read the information provided - this will help bring the canvases in complete safety.

Preparatory stage: what you need for reliable packaging

Today, many homes and even offices have paintings. Painting donated by friends or colleagues is an object dear to the heart. Some canvases are also of artistic value and cost fabulous money. Whatever the price of the work, the need to transport the canvases causes concern for the owner. Here the question arises: how to transport the picture, so as not to damage or spoil it? To deliver the painting in complete safety, you should carefully prepare. First, select and buy the right amount of packaging materials. What will we need?

  • thick paper or cardboard;
  • stretch film;
  • air bubble film;
  • plywood;
  • scotch.

Proper packaging guarantees complete safety for your canvas. You can protect not only the canvas itself, but also the frame. There are several options for packaging painting. Your actions depend on the chosen method of transporting the painting, weather conditions and other factors. Let's figure it out this issue in detail.

Instructions: how to properly pack a painting

Paintings are delicate things. Striking the canvas can cause damage to the paint layer of the canvas. In addition, during transportation, dents and small cracks are often formed in the paintings, which are very difficult to restore. In addition to mechanical damage, the canvases are sensitive to temperature changes, moisture, and sunlight. These factors can irrevocably spoil the picture! With careless handling, not only the canvas, but also the frame can suffer. How to pack a painting for transportation to avoid problems?

Packing a picture in a frame

The specialists of moving companies have seen from their own experience that it is more convenient to transport paintings in frames. Why? The protruding part of the frame creates additional protection for the canvas. Painting is packaged in several layers. Initially, wrap the picture with stretch film - close the canvas and the edges of the frame well. The second layer of packaging is air bubble wrap. By wrapping the picture, you create a soft shock-absorbing cushion that protects the canvas from mechanical damage. To prevent the edges of the wrapper from coming apart, fix the joints with tape.

In no case do not stick adhesive tape to the frame or canvas - noticeable traces may remain.



Now the picture in the envelope can be placed in a rigid package. Finding a suitable size box is problematic - make the container yourself! Lay the canvas between two sheets of cardboard or thick paper and fold the edges of the sheets inward. Cover the resulting design with adhesive tape. For expensive items, packaging is often created not from cardboard, but from plywood. Rigid material will better protect against shaking and atmospheric influences.

Packing canvas and frame separately

Transporting a canvas without a frame is a complicated procedure. It is important to have certain skills here. Initially, it is necessary to very carefully and carefully disconnect the canvas from the frame. The frame is packed separately, and the canvas itself is transported rolled up in a tube. The canvas is wound on a strong tube, wrapped with tracing paper on top. When folding the canvas, there is a high risk of damage to it, damage to the paint layer.

A typical mistake of many connoisseurs of painting is that the canvas is folded with the front part inward. You can't do that! Roll the canvas the other way around - paint out.

You didn’t prepare for the move and didn’t prepare the tube in time? It doesn't matter, use improvised means. Pictures can be transported in a plastic tube - close the ends with cardboard caps.


Packing the frame also requires some skill. Most often, the corners of the frame suffer on the road. They need quality protection. Wrap the corners in cardboard or thick paper and secure with tape. Pack the frame itself in polyethylene or bubble wrap. Your paintings are now ready to travel!

Rules for transporting paintings

No matter how reliable the packaging of the paintings is, they should be transported with extreme care. At every step, your canvases are in danger. Inaccurate loading, shaking and bumps when driving over bumps, bad weather conditions, temperature fluctuations are just a small part of the troubles encountered during transportation. What steps should be taken to make the trip go smoothly?

  • Plan your route in advance. Choose the road with the least number of obstacles in the form of holes and bumps.
  • Warn the driver about the presence of valuable cargo in the back of the car - let him choose a safe speed.
  • During loading and unloading, take the paintings on a frame or stretcher. Never touch the canvas.
  • Packed pictures and frames securely fasten in the back of the van. Does not allow them to move while riding. Particularly sensitive to vibrations are large canvases.


And how to transport a picture, which is an artistic value? Expensive and valuable specimens are transported in specialized compartments. In such cars, it is possible to maintain an optimal level of humidity and temperature in the body. Ideally, valuable painting is best insured before transportation.

There is no confidence in the correctness of self-transportation of paintings? Contact the professionals. It is better to pay for the services of specialists than to regret damaged art objects.


Moving in cold weather? Remember, paint hardens in the cold and may crack. Upon arrival, do not unpack the canvases immediately, let the temperature of the canvas gradually equalize with the air temperature in the room. Here are, perhaps, the main secrets to protect your paintings from the dangers of moving.


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.

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 carriage as hand luggage

Each carrier sets its own maximum length, width, height and weight. hand luggage, which can be taken to the salon. 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 canvases are 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's opinion on hand that the painting does not have the status of 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.

Transportation of any cargo has its own characteristics. There are many nuances regarding the methods of transportation and the availability of a package of accompanying documentation.

A separate category is made up of fragile objects, as well as objects that are works of art and are of particular value. These include paintings from private and public collections. It should be noted that an amateurish approach to the transportation of paintings and other works of art is a risky undertaking, since failure to follow the basic rules can lead to damage or destruction of a rarity.

Packaging of paintings for transportation

There are many types of packaging materials that are used to transport paintings. As a rule, several packaging methods are used at once, and the choice of materials is determined in each case individually. Packing of paintings for transportation is made on the basis of the type of paintings, the time of year when transportation is carried out, and weather conditions.

  • Stretch film. It reliably protects works of art from dirt, dust and damage. But due to the fact that it does not allow air to pass through, condensation forms, which can adversely affect appearance paintings. Therefore, stretch film is used either when transporting over short distances, or as additional protection against damage.
  • Air bubble film. Its properties and application are approximately the same as those of stretch film. It can only be used for short-term storage and transportation over short distances.
  • Corrugated cardboard. This type, like the two previous ones, should be considered as a one-time packaging material, but not as the main one. Corrugated board is used together with mica tape or bubble wrap. Carefully packaged in this way, the picture can be transported over long distances. If the picture is transported in a frame, then most often 3- and 5-layer corrugated cardboard is used for packaging, the sheets of which are adjusted to the size of the canvas itself.
  • Wooden boxes, cassettes, and crates. These types of packaging can be considered the most reliable: it will be quite difficult to damage the contents. This method is used when transporting paintings, both for short and long distances. The undoubted advantage of this method of packaging is the possibility of its repeated use.

The Pelican Moving company has been transporting antiques and fragile items for more than 14 years and has established itself in this area as an experienced carrier who knows all the nuances of proper and careful transportation. We carry out careful transportation of paintings with and without a stretcher. Our company guarantees the safety of valuable cargo at all stages and prompt delivery within the agreed time frame.

What determines the cost of transportation

The cost and package of services provided by our company depend on the value of the cargo, the number of canvases, the presence of framing and the distance. The level of packaging complexity, the use of special insulating materials or cases, the need for climate control are also taken into account. An important place in pricing is played by the type of transport required and the need to cross state borders.

Transportation of paintings abroad

Our company assumes obligations for the transportation of paintings, both within Russia and abroad. We guarantee the safety of the property of our clients and the integrity of each canvas.

When carrying out international transportation, we take care of all the paperwork and cargo escort, customs clearance when crossing the border of the Russian Federation and obtaining permits from the Ministry of Culture for the export of items of national artistic value. Your cargo will be quickly, and most importantly - carefully delivered to the address.

What do we offer

  • Careful packaging and transportation of paintings in a frame.
  • Ergonomic transportation of unframed canvases. Hosts, wound on a dense pipe and placed in a tube, will overcome thousands of kilometers in safety.
  • Transportation of canvases in a stretcher.
  • Joint transportation of several pictures at the same time in specially equipped boxes is possible.
  • Using the services of professionals, you can transport any picture without any hassle.

    Stages of work:

  • After receiving the application, our specialists, upon arrival, find out the scope of work, clarify the details of the order and determine the complexity of the packaging.
  • After agreeing on the preliminary estimate and signing the contract, we proceed to the execution required documents permitting the export of a painting abroad or other accompanying invoices. As an additional guarantee, it is possible to obtain an insurance policy.
  • We pack the paintings with high quality and carefully load them into specially equipped transport.
  • During transportation, employees constantly monitor the movement of the cargo.
  • At the final destination, the customer is notified of the delivery.

Efficiency and transparency of work is an immutable rule of our team!

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.


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