How to Pack Musical Instruments for Overseas Shipping
Read article
View all news
Call us now 0345 873 9990
Go 
For over 30 years, PACK & SEND Hammersmith has specialised in the professional packing and shipping of fine art. From framed paintings and sculptures to entire gallery collections, we provide secure, reliable art courier services tailored to meet the needs of collectors, artists, galleries, and dealers.
Private collectors, local artists, institutions, and auction houses across Hammersmith trust us with their most valuable and delicate pieces. Whether you're moving a single canvas or arranging international transport for multiple works, our experienced team ensures each item is packed, protected, and delivered with the utmost care.
We provide custom art packaging, insured delivery options, and a complete logistics service that gives you confidence from pick-up to arrival.
At PACK & SEND Hammersmith, we offer fully managed international art shipping services by air, road, or sea — trusted by artists, collectors, galleries, and institutions worldwide.
Whether you’re sending a single canvas to Paris, a sculpture to Hong Kong, or a full exhibition overseas, we specialise in FLAV artwork (fragile, large, awkward, and valuable). Each shipment is bespoke, with options including:
Full tracking and signature on delivery
Customs documentation
Hand-carry courier services for sensitive or high-value works
Worldwide Art Collection & Import Services
We also manage global art imports and exhibition returns. Whether you’re sourcing pieces from international auctions or repatriating work from abroad, we provide:
Door-to-door collection
Customs clearance and compliance support
Museum-grade packing for international transit
From New York to Seoul, PACK & SEND Hammersmith ensures your artwork travels securely — and arrives in perfect condition.
Get a quote
PACK & SEND Hammersmith is honoured to be an approved service provider for LAPADA — the UK’s premier association of art and antique dealers.
Our reputation is built on precision, discretion, and decades of experience in handling antiques, fine art, and rare collectibles. From framed paintings and delicate ceramics to period furniture and sculpture, each item is professionally packed, fully insured, and transported with care.
As one of the UK’s most trusted art shipping companies, we offer bespoke solutions tailored to LAPADA members and their clients — whether for local delivery within the UK or complex international shipments.
If you’re a LAPADA member or buyer in Hammersmith seeking a secure and professional art courier service, get in touch today to arrange a quote or consultation.
LAPADA Services
At PACK & SEND Hammersmith, expert art packing isn’t just part of the service — it’s the foundation of safe and successful delivery. Whether you’re shipping fine art, antique sculptures, or museum-grade installations, our tailored packaging solutions ensure your item arrives exactly as it left: untouched, undamaged, and secure.
Our experienced packing technicians are trained in advanced art packaging techniques, using museum-grade materials and international best practices to shield against vibration, temperature changes, humidity, and impact — especially for fragile, large, awkward, or valuable (FLAV) pieces.
Every artwork is unique, and so is every crate we construct. Our ISPM15-certified, kiln-dried timber crates are built to order, designed specifically for your artwork’s dimensions, fragility, and transit route.
We offer:
High-density foam interiors tailored to the shape of your piece
Moisture-resistant linings and polythene wrap to prevent environmental damage
Lightweight tri-wall board crates for flat artwork and international shipments
Optional handling aids such as wheels, carry handles, or hinged access points
Whether you’re shipping a delicate canvas to Europe or a sculpture to Asia, your packaging will be custom-fitted for full protection.
Orientation matters — especially for framed artwork and vertical sculptures. Our A-frame crating system keeps sensitive pieces upright throughout transit, reducing strain on frames and glass while preventing tipping during handling.
This is the preferred method for galleries, fine art movers, and private collectors shipping art across long distances or through international courier networks.
We also employ void packing, strategically engineered to absorb impact and vibration through calculated spacing and insulation — ideal for artworks with fragile frames, protruding parts, or irregular surfaces.
From handcrafted oil paintings to modern installations, PACK & SEND Hammersmith provides fully bespoke, professional packing for art, sculpture, and antiques. Whether you’re shipping art overseas, transporting to a local exhibition, or returning pieces from international fairs, your packaging will be engineered for absolute peace of mind.
Get a quote
At PACK & SEND Hammersmith, we take the complexity out of international art shipping — handling everything from expert packing to customs compliance and insurance. Whether you’re shipping fine art, sculptures, antiques or gallery installations, our service is designed to protect what matters most: your artwork.
We manage the full international shipping process, including:
Export documentation and customs declarations
Import permits and CITES paperwork (where applicable)
Temporary export arrangements for exhibitions or art fairs
Duty-free and ATA Carnet options for returning artworks
Our Hammersmith team ensures your shipment moves efficiently across borders — avoiding unnecessary delays, duties, or handling issues — while remaining fully compliant with international regulations.
Loss or damage protection
At PACK & SEND Hammersmith, we work closely with artists, galleries, and dealers across the global art market, offering reliable and professional support for shipping valuable artwork.
From bespoke fine art packing to fully managed international courier services, we understand that every shipment reflects your reputation — and we treat it accordingly.
Whether you’re sending a sculpture to a client, preparing a series of canvases for an exhibition, or shipping delicate installations abroad, our team is trained to handle the demands of time-sensitive and high-value artwork logistics.
Every item is packed with precision and care — whether it’s a single piece for a collector or a full gallery shipment heading to an art fair overseas.
Trusted by established names in the art world, PACK & SEND Hammersmith ensures artworks arrive in pristine condition, on time, and ready for display.
We regularly support dealers selling via online marketplaces and private clients, offering secure, tailored solutions for both domestic and international deliveries.
Our services include:
Custom packaging for framed art, prints, and original works
Safe transit of large or unusually shaped artworks
Flexible delivery options and professional collection anywhere in the UK
Specialist insurance and customs support for cross-border shipments
From one-off pieces to regular volumes, our fine art courier service provides peace of mind at every stage of the journey. PACK & SEND Hammersmith remains a trusted logistics partner for professionals across the art industry.
Get a quote
‘Shipping fragile artworks around the globe takes a lot of care and paperwork! We were happy to find PACK & SEND who provide a personalised and effective service to get artworks to my clients with minimal effort from myself.’
Absolutely. PACK & SEND Hammersmith provides specialist packing for all types of artwork — from delicate prints to large sculptures. We use made-to-measure crates, foam-in-place systems, and precision cushioning to protect your piece from movement, shock, and environmental stress during transit. Whether it’s heading across town or overseas, we ensure it’s packed to arrive safely.
We can deliver your artwork almost anywhere, across the UK or to destinations worldwide. PACK & SEND Hammersmith handles both domestic and international art shipments, offering secure transport by air, road, or sea. Need a collection? We can pick up from anywhere in the UK, and if your artwork’s overseas, we’ll guide you through safe packing and arrange delivery from there too.
Yes — when we pack and ship your artwork, we can provide full cover for loss or damage. This protection is only available for shipments we’ve handled ourselves from start to finish, so third-party packing isn’t eligible. To arrange cover, just get in touch with the PACK & SEND Hammersmith team and we’ll walk you through it.
The safest way to ship art is by using a specialist service like PACK & SEND. We handle everything from custom packing to secure transport, making sure your artwork — whether it’s delicate, valuable, or unusually shaped — arrives safely, whether it’s going across town or across the world.
Absolutely — when it’s packed and handled properly. At PACK & SEND, we use custom-built crates, specialist materials, and careful handling to protect your painting every step of the way. Whether it’s going across the UK or overseas, your artwork is in expert hands.
Acrylic paintings are packed with extra care. We start with acid-free wrap to protect the surface, then add multiple layers of cushioning to guard against knocks, pressure, or vibration. Each piece is placed in a custom-built crate designed to fit snugly, keeping it stable and secure during transit — whether it’s heading across town or overseas.
In some cases, yes — import duty and VAT can apply when shipping art into the UK. It depends on the type of artwork, where it’s coming from, and its value. At PACK & SEND, we help you make sense of the rules and handle the customs paperwork, so your shipment clears smoothly and without surprises.
Shipping more than one artwork? Each piece needs its own care and protection. At PACK & SEND, we custom-pack every item individually, then crate and coordinate the shipment to keep everything safe and travelling together. Whether it’s a full exhibition or a personal collection, we make sure it arrives intact and on time.
That depends on the arrangement. Sometimes the seller includes shipping in the price, other times the buyer covers it separately. At PACK & SEND, we work with both sides and can provide flexible quotes based on who’s handling the cost. Whether you’re sending or receiving, we make the process clear and easy.
Start with acid-free paper to wrap the surface, add corner protectors, and cushion the painting inside a sturdy, custom crate. At PACK & SEND, we take care of the whole process — from protective wrapping to precision crating — so your artwork travels safely, whether it’s going across town or overseas.
To post framed artwork safely, use custom packaging with corner protection, cushioning, and a sturdy outer box or crate. At PACK & SEND, we professionally pack and ship framed art to ensure it arrives intact, whether locally or internationally.
I used PACK & SEND Salford Quays to ship artwork to and from USA previously and I was extremely happy with their service. More recently I sent two paintings to USA and PACK & SEND were excellent. If you want artwork packed and sent across the world safely and securely then I would strongly recommend PACK & SEND Click box for more
The service was excellent. I stayed in London for a month and needed to send the excess home. The gentleman that assisted me, walked me through the entire process and items arrived home before I did! I can't say enough about how great they are Click box for more
PACK & SEND is an extraordinary shipper. They very carefully packed my two Chines vases with extra care, and they arrived perfectly. It is such a pleasure to see things done correctly and with attention to detail. Thanks you PACK & SEND Click box for more
My experience with PACK & SEND Spitalfields has been excellent. I shipped fine art from London to Italy and PACK & SEND Spitalfields crated these frames, completed all the customs declaration and followed through to ensure that I received my shipment in time. The customer service and care from PACK & SEND is top notch Click box for more
We shipped multiple suitcases from London to USA and used PACK & SEND at Harrow. It was such an easy process and the staff there are very helpful. It was delivered right on time and without any hassles. Highly recommend this location for shipping needs Click box for more
Super helpful team that arranged for a wallet left at our hotel to be picked up, packed and sent to us in US. Really appreciate the level of coordination and attention to detail Click box for more
Gary was possibly one of the nicest people I've ever spoken with. Our package was delivered quicker than we expected back to the states from Edinburgh. It was more expensive than I thought, but it probably costs a lot to do Click box for more
Many thanks to the team at PACK & SEND (Hammersmith), who really pulled out the stops to get my delivery to me under a tight time frame. They kept me informed all the way from collection, packing and delivery and even followed up afterwards. A great service and excellent customer relations. Many thanks to all of you Click box for more
One of the best packings that I have ever received. Very detailed oriented. Very carefully packaged. And prompt delivery. Great service Click box for more
Their service is great. Their staff Mr Philippe was very friendly and good in explaining. I was able to send my guitar to Malaysia at a reasonable price and quickly as well. Would highly recommend their services Click box for more
Used them with Sworders. They did a good job packing a large fragile item both securely but also efficiently. They were able to saved me some money because they packed the item safely but also didn't overdo it with excessive, heavy packaging like some other shippers do. They did a solid job all around Click box for more
The best company ever. This company help me to bring my pictures to my home no damage Brilliant delivery and thanks to Craig Who help me with organising for delivery, friendly and responsibility for everything. Thanks to all team PACK & SEND ReadingClick box for more
Many thanks to Malcolm and his team for their great service. They picked up the items, packed and delivered them to our customer on time and without any problem. They notified me in every step. I recommend their service to other customers Click box for more
PACK & SEND helped me a lot when sending a valuable artwork overseas. I thoroughly recommend them for this service. Worth the extra for the peace of mind and professional approach. Do NOT trust the low end courier services when sending art through the post - I learnt that lesson the hard way Click box for more
Always professional and full of experience. A special shout-out to Dave who in particular is always punctual and does packing to a very high standard. Thank you Click box for more
If you want to talk to somebody about your specialist packaging and delivery requirements, call us on 0345 873 999 0
Find a service centre
At PACK & SEND we know how important it is for you to reach all your international destinations via a single service provider.
We provide a wide range of options for your international shipping solutions to ensure that you can always find the service you need depending on the package that you need to send overseas.
PACK & SEND are truly the experts when it comes to custom packaging and crating those fragile, large, awkward and valuable items like computers, servers, artworks and antiques.
We specialise in accessing the right type of packaging for any item and using all other resources available to protect your shipment.
We take every care to make sure that your items stay safe during transit.
However, for complete peace of mind when you send your shipments domestically or internationally, we provide Gold Service protection to cover you for loss or damage to your important shipments
Use our Location Finder to find your nearest Service Centre and Sales Office
Location finder
Packed & Less Than 30kg?