Art handling and dimensions: facts and figures

Numbers rule the world - and so do they the logistics. While organising a fine art transport it is absolutely crucial that you deliver you agent exact and correct figures. Only then you can receive a reliable estimate and expect a smooth course of action.

Here a couple of hints and facts that may sound obvious - still, from my practice I know, unfortunately they are not :)

- when starting a job as registrar, take measurements of the doors and the elevator in your new working place. No matter how professional your art handling agent is - if an art work is too large,
it simply won't fit through!

- remember that even really large fine art trucks have limited capacities, as their maximal dimensions are strictly regulated by the law. Consequently, objects higher than ca. 2,80 m usually have to be transported in a jumbo trailer with a lowered suspension and objects both wider and longer than 1,22 m cannot be placed one along another in a truck (max width 2,45 m), which as you can imagine, multiplies the shipping costs.

- when asking for an estimate, indicate which of the listed dimensions is the height. Museums prefer the HxLxB format, whereas for example airlines - LxBxH. Especially air freight rates are strongly affected by the crates' shape. Whereas flat crates generally travel at a higher expense, tall crates may be sometimes too large for x-raying and have to be opened at the airport by art handlers.

- if enquiring from a foreign agent, make sure you're using the correct unit - cm /inches are not always clear (1 inch = 2,54 cm). And of course, don't mix mm with m :) ! The same rule is valid for currencies, while preparing proforma invoices, especially, when using non-US dollars!

- if you have a closer look on an AWB, there are both gross weight and chargeable weight given. For calculation of the chargeable weight of a shipment, its gross weight and volume weight are taken into consideration and charges are applied to the higher one.

The volume weight is calculated as follows: H x B x L [cm] / 6000.
Example: a crate in form of one cubic meter has a volume weight of 166,67 kg:
100 x 100 x 100 / 6000 = 1.000.000 / 6000 = 166,67 kg.

Knowing this formula, you can check, if you have been charged correctly. *Still, please note, that in some rare cases, like an untypical shape, a not stackable package or a very busy period (e.g. before Christmas), an airline may impose a higher chargeable weight.