Exporting Fine Art (Part 1): The Invoice

This is a technical post close what you lot demand to include on an invoice when exporting an artwork to about other country.

I've got ii reasons for producing this post

• First, to travel honest, I'm writing it all downwards because I forget!  I've sent quite a few artworks overseas simply I e'er bring to pass fourth dimension double-checking I've done everything correctly afterward referencing all the proper sources of information.
• Second, I periodically hear close people whose artwork has got stuck at Customs.  I must confess I practise speculate to myself close whether they've perhaps missed out i of the essential tasks! (see Parts 1 AND 2 OF "Exporting Art")

Below you lot volition find

• a checklist of information which should travel supplied to enable artwork to clear customs rapidly as well as without a problem
• a link to where you lot tin download a proforma invoice like the i I use (see below).  

Proforma Export Invoice for Artwork
(right click to run into a larger version inward novel tab)

What to include on an invoice when exporting art

The illustration proforma invoice referenced is for an artwork which had been commissioned as well as is to travel exported to about other country.

You tin uncovering An Export Invoice for Art available equally a Word document on my Making Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Mark website - which you lot tin download for FREE.

Your Information

1. Name of your fine art business (what practise you lot hateful you lot don't bring one?!)  What practise you lot telephone weep upward your sole trading activities on your taxation shape or banking concern account? Sales of fine art tin travel done nether your ain name.  Mine's called Pastels as well as Pencils after my fine art portfolio website.
2. Business address This should travel the same i equally you lot purpose for your fine art concern on your taxation return.
3. Tax date: the appointment of the invoice.  This may travel dissimilar to the appointment of export as well as it's relevant to your taxation accounts.
4. Terms of Business: makes your price of payment explicit.  The illustration given is for a committee simply you lot tin alter this to whatever you lot prefer.
5. Copyright: The contestation included inward the invoice makes it clear that all copyright as well as reproduction rights are reserved to the artist.  There's lots of buyers out in that location who don't empathize close copyright!
6. Telephone as well as email: Provide the Client as well as Importer amongst contact data ie concern telephone break as well as e-mail address .  This is also really useful for Customs if in that location is a problem

Client Information

1. Client Order appointment / reference no.
2. Client / Importer Name The proforma invoice provides for differentiation betwixt eventual goal (ie the Client) as well as the house it is imported to which may travel dissimilar (eg a gallery)
3. Client / Importer Address - purpose a prompt for 
• zip codes as well as post codes
• country
4. Date of Commission / Customer Order: Provide something which references the purchase or committee placed. I purpose e-mail dates.

Customs Information

1. Country of Manufacture - where you lot made it
2. Country of Export - where you lot live
3. Country of Import - where the artwork is going to
4. Date of export: this may travel dissimilar to the appointment of the invoice
5. Value of Export: This is for Customs Purposes as well as is ESSENTIAL.  Note that inward the UK of Britain as well as Northern Republic of Ireland if the value is below £270 you lot tin purpose the basic Customs Form CN22.  If it's over £270 as well as then you lot demand to purpose the detailed version CN23  (more close these inward Part 2)
6. Commodity Code:  This is ESSENTIAL. You won't teach artwork past times Customs rapidly without this. It also needs to become on the Customs documentation for the front end of the package. I've left inward the code for artwork existence exported.  You tin hold off upward the Customs tariff code. Click the International Trade Tariff to access Section XXI Works of art, collectors' pieces as well as antiques (chapters 97 to 99)
7. Weight of Commodity: position the weight of artwork as well as artwork including packaging.  These ii items required for Customs as well as pricing postage
8. Type of Packaging: depict the packaging used - needs to travel past times muster amongst Customs

Artwork Information

Recently I've been watching likewise many tv set programmes close establishing provenance addition I saw about invoices of late for plant sold past times Paul Durand-Ruel in the nineteenth century as well as I was really impressed past times the detailed description of the work.  Hence I bring straight off added this into the invoice I use!

1. Title of Artwork
2. Description of Artwork - depict it for people who may demand to check invoice to artwork inward future
3. Media: depict what was used to create the artwork. Highlight anything which is archival
4. Support: describe what was used to create the artwork. Highlight anything which is archival 
5. Dimensions: Indicate the dimensions of the artwork, matted as well as unmatted.  Bear inward remove heed that inward the UK of Britain as well as Northern Republic of Ireland a pocket-size parcel going airmail needs to travel less than 600mm on its longest dimension otherwise it must become parcel post.
6. Shipping: I advise you lot purpose a method of transportation which allows you lot to rails the artwork as well as provides embrace for its value.  Insert the toll of shipping, the toll of materials used as well as the toll of fourth dimension employed inward packaging equally i sum.  You tin of class waive the transportation cost.

Later this calendar week I'll travel showing you lot how to ensure all relevant documentation is available to Customs - aka how to grade upward the front end of the parcel as well as include all the forms on the exterior of the package!

If transportation fine art you lot may also uncovering my data site helpful - equally many do! See How to pack, post as well as send fine art - Resources for Artists  (I wrote all I knew downwards for this equally good thus I wouldn't forget every fourth dimension I came to practise a complicated parcel which needed to travel sent overseas!)

If you lot bring whatever queries close the Invoice delight comment below.  

Also if you lot practise your invoice differently delight explicate - or exhibit us - what you lot do.  I'll travel happy to reference your invoice on my website if you're happy to share.

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