This is going to be a super long post but I have been meaning to write it for a while now. I'm going to outline our favorite local shippers, the difference between UPS and USPS, and a few lessons learned from sending thousands of paintings around the world.
One of the most common questions we get at Robert Lange Studios is, "How on earth am I going to get this painting home?"
It's a reasonable question. Charleston is a city where people fall in love with things. A painting, an antique, a sculpture, a beautiful object discovered in a little shop. Sometimes that object is small enough to tuck into a suitcase. Other times, it's a four-foot painting that definitely isn't fitting in the overhead compartment.
The good news is that shipping almost anything from Charleston is surprisingly easy, especially if you know the right people.
After more than two decades of shipping artwork around the country and the world, we've learned a few things. Here are our favorite options, along with some advice about packing, insurance, customs, and when it's worth doing the shipping yourself.
Our First Choice: The UPS Store on Meeting Street
Our go-to shipping expert is Michael Cunningham, who owns The UPS Store at 472 Meeting Street.
Michael is a trained fine art packer, which makes a tremendous difference when you're shipping something valuable, fragile, or irreplaceable.
But here's the part we love most: you barely have to do anything.
You can call Michael, describe what you need shipped, and get a quote over the phone. Give him your payment information, arrange a pickup, and Michael or someone from his team can collect the painting directly from our gallery or even from your hotel room.
That's it. You're done.
No searching for cardboard. No bubble wrap all over your hotel floor. No trying to squeeze a painting into the back of an Uber. Michael and his team take care of the packing and shipping.
For visitors who have just purchased a painting or an antique, this is a wonderful service. You can enjoy the rest of your Charleston vacation knowing that your new treasure is being handled by someone who understands how to protect it.
The only potential downside is that you're primarily using UPS as your shipping carrier. While UPS is excellent, it isn't always the least expensive option, especially when shipping internationally.
The UPS Store — Meeting Street
472 Meeting Street, Suite C, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 203-3466
Visit the store's website
Our Other Favorite: QuikMail Etc. on East Bay Street
Our second favorite shipping expert in Charleston is William, who owns QuikMail Etc. at 334 East Bay Street.
William offers much of the same personal service as Michael. He can arrange to pick up an item, professionally pack it, and handle the entire shipping process for you.
The big difference is that William has access to multiple shipping companies.
Rather than working primarily with UPS, QuikMail Etc. offers services through UPS, FedEx, USPS, and international shipping options. That means William can compare different carriers and help find the most sensible combination of price, speed, and service.
This is particularly helpful when shipping internationally.
Sending a painting to California is one thing. Sending a painting to France, Australia, or Japan is another adventure entirely. There are customs forms, import taxes, delivery requirements, and occasionally some rather confusing regulations.
William is especially helpful with these situations, and we typically recommend him for international shipments.
We love having both of these businesses in Charleston. They are locally owned, and there's something wonderful about being able to call an actual person who knows you, understands what you're shipping, and genuinely wants it to arrive safely.
QuikMail Etc. — East Bay Street
334 East Bay Street, Unit G, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 723-6598
Visit QuikMail Etc.'s website
UPS, USPS, FedEx, and DHL: What's the Difference?
First, a little clarification, because these names can get confusing.
UPS (United Parcel Service) is a private shipping company that specializes in moving packages. It's one of our most frequently used carriers for artwork, especially medium and large paintings. UPS offers tracking, ground shipping, expedited delivery, and international services.
USPS (United States Postal Service) is our country's postal system. USPS is often a very economical choice for smaller, lighter packages. If you're shipping a small painting, a sketchbook, prints, or something that fits comfortably into a modest box, USPS is absolutely worth considering.
FedEx (Federal Express) is another private shipping company, similar to UPS. FedEx offers ground, express, freight, and international shipping. Depending on the destination and size of the package, FedEx can sometimes be less expensive or faster than UPS.
DHL specializes in international shipping and logistics. If you're sending artwork overseas, DHL is often worth comparing with UPS and FedEx, particularly when delivery speed matters.
So which one is best?
There really isn't a universal winner. Shipping rates depend on the dimensions of the box, its weight, the destination, and how quickly you need it to arrive.
A small painting might be significantly cheaper to ship through USPS, while a large painting might be better suited to UPS or FedEx. For international shipments, comparing multiple carriers can save a surprising amount of money.
One thing we've learned is that the size of a package can matter just as much as its weight. Shipping companies often charge based on dimensional weight, meaning a large, lightweight box can cost considerably more than you'd expect.
This is another reason a professional packer is so valuable. They know how to protect something without creating a box unnecessarily larger than it needs to be.
Want to Ship Things Yourself? We Love Stamps.com
If you're an artist, small business owner, or someone who ships regularly, we highly recommend looking into Stamps.com.
It's one of those services that makes you wonder why you ever stood in line at the post office.
Here's what you need:
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A Stamps.com account.
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A small digital shipping scale.
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A printer and shipping labels (or you can just print on paper and cover with clear packing tape).
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Some basic packing materials, including boxes, tape, and protective padding.
Once you've set everything up, the process is incredibly simple.
Pack your item, weigh it, measure the box, enter the destination, and compare the available shipping options. You can purchase and print your shipping label right from your computer.
Attach the label to the box, then either drop it off with the appropriate carrier or arrange a pickup when available.
Stamps.com also offers discounted shipping rates, which can make a real difference if you're mailing things regularly. There is a subscription cost ($15 a month), so it makes the most sense for people who ship often enough to justify it.
And despite the name, Stamps.com isn't limited to USPS. It also provides access to other carriers, including UPS and DHL Express.
For artists who are comfortable packing their own paintings, this can be an excellent way to keep shipping costs manageable.
One small suggestion: if you're shipping artwork regularly, invest in a decent scale and keep a selection of packing materials organized in one place. The less time you spend hunting for tape, the more time you can spend making art.
Shipping Internationally: Customs, Taxes, and a Little Extra Paperwork
International shipping deserves its own conversation because there are a few surprises that can catch people off guard.
First, shipping costs and import taxes are two different things.
Let's say you purchase a beautiful painting in Charleston and want to send it home to London. You pay the shipping company to transport the artwork, but when it arrives in the United Kingdom, you may also owe import VAT, customs duties, or processing fees.
These charges vary depending on the destination country, the value of the artwork (which you can fudge a little), and how the item is classified.
Here's something interesting: original artwork and reproductions are not always treated the same way by customs authorities.
An original oil painting may qualify for a different customs classification or tax treatment than a limited-edition print or commercially manufactured decorative object. In some countries, original artworks receive favorable treatment, while in others the rules are more complicated.
The important thing is to describe the artwork accurately on all shipping documents. An original painting should be identified as an original painting, with the appropriate declared value, country of origin, and other required information.
Don't be tempted to mark an expensive painting as a $20 gift to avoid taxes. Aside from being inaccurate, doing so can create serious problems if the package is inspected, lost, or damaged. However, remembering the the value of art is VERY subjective, you can probably "value" it at a few $100 instead of a few $1,000 but keep the insurance accurate incase something happens.
It's also worth clarifying who will be responsible for paying any import charges before the artwork leaves Charleston. Nobody enjoys receiving an unexpected customs bill.
For particularly valuable pieces, antiques, or artworks made with regulated materials, additional documentation may be necessary.
This is one of the reasons we love working with William at QuikMail Etc. Having someone familiar with international shipping requirements can make the process much less intimidating.
Let's Talk About Insurance
Shipping insurance is one of those things nobody wants to think about until they need it.
At our gallery, we typically insure paintings for approximately half of their retail value.
Our reasoning is that if something happens during transit, we want to have funds available to repair the work. Many types of shipping damage can be addressed by a professional art conservator or, sometimes, by the original artist.
A damaged frame can often be replaced. A small abrasion may be repairable. Even certain canvas punctures can be restored by a skilled professional.
Of course, not every injury can be fixed, and some damage can permanently affect a painting's value.
There's also an important distinction between a painting's retail price, its replacement value, and the amount a shipping company will actually pay in a claim.
Insuring a painting for half its value is our own approach, not a rule we recommend for everyone. It means accepting the risk that a lost or destroyed painting may not be fully reimbursed but honestly, we all know an insurance company isn't going to give you full value anyway.
For valuable or irreplaceable artwork, we recommend discussing full-value coverage with the shipper or a specialist fine art insurer before sending it. Also, DOUBLE BOX! A box within a box is the best way to ensure the corners of something won't be damaged.
One particularly important detail: when a carrier asks you to declare a value, that doesn't automatically mean you've purchased comprehensive insurance. Coverage varies, and some shipping policies exclude or limit fine art, fragile objects, certain types of damage, or the cost of restoration.
Before shipping, ask what is actually covered, whether the packaging meets the insurer's requirements, and what documentation would be needed to make a claim.
And remember that the amount you declare isn't necessarily the amount you'll receive. Any claim is subject to the carrier's or insurer's terms and proof of the loss.
The best insurance, though, is excellent packing.
We've shipped an enormous number of paintings over the years, and when a work is packed properly, the likelihood of damage is dramatically reduced.
What If Something Arrives Damaged?
First, don't panic.
It's upsetting to open a package and discover that something beautiful has been damaged, but it doesn't necessarily mean the artwork is ruined.
The most important thing is to document everything before attempting to fix anything.
If the box looks damaged when it arrives, photograph it before opening it. Then take pictures of the interior packaging, the artwork, and any visible damage.
Keep absolutely everything. The box, packing materials, shipping label, and any broken pieces of the frame may all be important if you need to file a claim.
Contact the shipping company and the gallery or artist as soon as possible. Carriers and insurers have specific deadlines for reporting damage, and waiting too long can jeopardize a claim.
Don't attempt to clean, straighten, glue, or repair the artwork yourself until the damage has been documented and you've spoken with the appropriate people.
One of the wonderful things about original artwork is that many problems can be addressed by a professional conservator. We've seen paintings that looked terribly damaged restored beautifully by someone who knew exactly what they were doing.
The original artist may also be able to help, depending on the materials, the nature of the damage, and the appropriate conservation approach.
For us, the most important thing is getting the artwork back to the condition it was in when it left the gallery.
A Few Things We've Learned Along the Way
There are a handful of little details that can make a big difference when shipping artwork.
Photograph the painting before it leaves. Take pictures of the front, back, frame, and packaging. If something does go wrong, having a record of its condition is incredibly helpful.
Never put bubble wrap directly against the painted surface. Depending on the materials, temperature, and condition of the artwork, the plastic can leave an impression or damage the surface. Use appropriate nonabrasive protective materials, and make sure the paint and varnish are sufficiently cured before packing.
Protect the corners. Frames are especially vulnerable to impacts, and a little extra attention to the corners can prevent a lot of headaches.
Don't let the painting move inside the box. Good packing should protect the artwork from both external impacts and internal movement.
Keep your tracking number. This seems obvious, but it makes life much easier if there's a delivery delay or question about where something is.
Consider the weather. Extreme heat, cold, and humidity can be problematic for certain artworks. Freshly painted pieces and delicate surfaces deserve extra attention.
For particularly large or valuable works, consider professional art transportation. Not every painting belongs in a conventional parcel delivery truck. Sometimes a dedicated fine art carrier or custom crate is the better choice. We often use Granger Transport LLC, the owner Greg is a welcome face for clients and he has hand delivered countless paintings for us. We also recommend Stephen Eilliott, who is a local artist and often is already heading somewhere in his delivery van and is happy to include a few more stops along his way.
And Please, Feel Free to Ask Us for Help
Here's one last thing we'd love people to know.
You don't have to purchase a painting from Robert Lange Studios to ask us for shipping advice.
Maybe you've purchased something from another Charleston gallery. Maybe you found an antique on King Street, bought a sculpture at an art fair, or discovered a wonderful painting in a little shop while wandering through the city.
If you're wondering how to get it home, please feel free to contact us.
We've spent more than twenty years packing, shipping, receiving, and occasionally rescuing artwork from shipping mishaps. We've made plenty of mistakes, learned from them, and developed relationships with some wonderful people who know how to move delicate objects safely.
We're always happy to point you in the right direction, recommend a trusted shipper, or offer a little advice about how we'd handle a particular piece.
You can reach us through Robert Lange Studios, call us at (843) 805-8052, or stop by the gallery at 2 Queen Street in downtown Charleston.
We're firm believers that a thriving art community benefits everyone. If we can help someone get a painting safely home from another gallery, that's a good day in our book.
The Bottom Line
If you're visiting Charleston and fall in love with a painting, please don't let shipping be the reason you leave it behind.
We have two wonderful local businesses that can make the entire process almost effortless.
Michael at The UPS Store on Meeting Street is our first call for most domestic shipments. William at QuikMail Etc. is an excellent alternative, especially when we want to compare carriers or send something internationally.
And if you're an artist or small business owner shipping things regularly, learning to use Stamps.com might save you a remarkable amount of time and money.
After more than twenty years of running an art gallery, we've learned that getting a painting safely from one wall to another is simply part of the business.
The goal is always the same: the artwork should arrive looking exactly as beautiful as it did when it left.
And ideally, nobody should have to spend their Charleston vacation looking for a cardboard box.
If you want to try to carry your painting on the plane instead this blog post might help: FLYING WITH ART
