Art and valuables transport in Switzerland
Switzerland, with its 250 art museums, major international fairs (Art Basel, artgeneve) and tradition as a discreet financial centre, is one of the world’s leading art markets. The country houses countless private collections, and transporting works of art — whether during a move, a sale or a loan — requires highly specialised expertise.
Damage during transport is the leading cause of claims in the art world. Improper transport can lead to irreversible losses, both financial and emotional. This guide helps you choose a qualified carrier and prepare your precious objects.
What art transport includes
A professional art transport service in Switzerland includes:
- Condition report: detailed photographic document of the work before and after transport, serving as a reference in the event of a claim
- Custom packing: museum crates, soft packing or climate crates depending on the nature and value of the work — see also our professional packing page
- Specialist handling: staff trained in art handling, wearing cotton or nitrile gloves
- Climate-controlled transport: vehicle with temperature control (18-22°C) and humidity control (45-55%) for sensitive works
- Air suspension: reducing vibrations by 80% compared to a standard truck
- Nail-to-nail insurance: coverage from the moment the work is taken down to the moment it is rehung
- Installation: hanging, placing on plinths, lighting according to your instructions
- Climate-controlled storage if needed between destinations
- Customs formalities for international transport (LTBC export certificate if applicable)
Types of objects covered
Paintings and pictures
- Oil on canvas: sensitive to temperature and humidity variations, risk of cracking
- Watercolours and pastels: extremely fragile, sensitive to light and friction
- Framed or unframed: the frame can be transported separately if necessary
- Large format: requires custom crates and a suitable vehicle
Sculptures
- Stone and marble: heavy (risk of falling), surfaces sensitive to impacts and scratches
- Bronze: resilient but with a fragile patina
- Wood: sensitive to humidity and temperature variations
- Glass and ceramics: extremely fragile, multi-layer packing essential
- Contemporary art (installations, mixed media): often unusual shapes
Antiques and period furniture
- Period furniture: fragile wood, veneers, marquetry, gilding
- Porcelain and faience: extreme fragility
- Silverware and goldsmithery: risk of scratching and deformation
- Horology: mechanisms sensitive to impacts and vibrations
- Antique rugs and tapestries: sensitive to humidity, moths and light
Collections and special objects
- Rare books and manuscripts: sensitive to humidity and light
- Antique musical instruments: pianos, violins, harpsichords
- Art photography: sensitive to light and climate changes
- Digital art and installations: fragile electronic components
Custom packing: the key to art transport
Museum crates (climate crates)
The benchmark for transporting valuable works:
- Construction: wood (poplar, aviation plywood) with thermal insulation
- Interior: polyethylene foam sculpted to the exact shape of the work
- Sealing: barrier against humidity and temperature changes
- Cushioning: internal anti-vibration and anti-shock suspension
- Closure: tamper-proof screws, numbered seals
- Price: 200 to 2,000+ CHF depending on size and complexity
Soft packing
For short transports and less fragile items:
- Conservation paper (acid-free) in contact with the work
- Polyethylene foam (Ethafoam) for mechanical protection
- Bubble wrap as an outer layer
- Honeycomb cardboard for rigidity
- Stretch film to hold everything together
- Price: 50 to 500 CHF depending on size
Specific protection by object type
| Object type | Packing method | Special precautions |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas painting | Edge board + foam corners + crate | No direct contact between plastic film and oil paint |
| Marble sculpture | Sculpted foam + wooden crate | Double base with shock absorber |
| Porcelain | Tissue paper + bubble wrap + compartmented crate | Each piece individually, anti-movement cushioning |
| Antique furniture | Padded blankets + film + corners | Remove movable elements (drawers, keys) |
| Mirror / glass | Mirror box + foam + cross-tape | Transport vertically, mark FRAGILE |
Art transport prices in Switzerland (2026)
Price ranges
| Service | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Local transport (1-2 works, same city) | 300 – 800 CHF |
| Intercantonal transport (1-2 works) | 600 – 1,500 CHF |
| International transport (Europe) | 1,000 – 5,000+ CHF |
| Museum crate packing (per work) | 200 – 2,000 CHF |
| Soft packing (per work) | 50 – 500 CHF |
| Hanging / installation | 100 – 500 CHF/h |
| Condition report (at collection and delivery) | 150 – 400 CHF |
| Climate-controlled storage | 60 – 120 CHF/m3/month |
What influences the price
- Value of the work: determines the level of insurance and precaution
- Fragility and complexity: a glass sculpture costs more to transport than a bronze
- Dimensions and weight: large-format works require special vehicles
- Distance: local, national or international
- Type of vehicle: standard, climate-controlled, with air suspension
- Urgency: a planned transport costs less than a last-minute one
Step-by-step process
1. Assessment and quote
- Contact us via our free quote form
- The carrier assesses the work (photos or on-site visit for valuable pieces)
- Detailed quote including packing, transport, insurance and installation
2. Condition report
- A detailed photographic document is produced before collection
- Every pre-existing defect is recorded
- This document serves as a reference in the event of a claim
3. Packing
- Custom packing according to the type of work and transport mode
- Use of conservation materials (acid-free, solvent-free)
- Numbered seals to guarantee integrity
4. Transport
- Careful loading into the climate-controlled vehicle
- Temperature and humidity conditions monitored throughout the journey
- Real-time GPS tracking for very high-value works
5. Installation
- Unloading and unpacking with the same care
- Condition report on arrival (comparison with the departure report)
- Hanging or placement according to your instructions
Transport conditions
Climate-controlled transport
For sensitive works, a climate-controlled vehicle is essential:
- Temperature: maintained between 18 and 22°C (+-2°C)
- Relative humidity: between 45 and 55% (+-5%)
- Recording: data logger for traceability of conditions during transport
- Extra cost: +30 to 50% compared to standard transport
Air suspension
Trucks specialising in art transport feature:
- Air suspension reducing vibrations by 80%
- Non-slip flooring
- Securing system with ratchet straps and protection
- Tail lift for shock-free loading
- Separate compartment (no sharing with other goods)
Specialist handling
- Cotton or nitrile gloves for handling works
- Trained staff in art handling (museum-level training)
- Minimum 2 people for any object, even small ones
- Escort available for very high-value works
When to use this service
Specialist art transport is needed in the following cases:
- Moving: you are moving and your collection must follow (see residential moving)
- Purchase or sale: transporting a work bought from a gallery, at auction or from a private seller
- Exhibition loan: you are lending a work to a museum or gallery
- Restoration: your work needs to go to a restorer
- Inheritance: you are inheriting works of art that need to be transported from another location
- Storage: you need to store your works in a climate-controlled warehouse during renovations or travel
- Rearrangement: you wish to move works within your home or between several residences
Art transport insurance
Nail-to-nail insurance
The benchmark coverage in the art world:
- Covers the work from the moment it is taken down from its original location to its hanging at destination
- Includes: packing, handling, transport, temporary storage, installation
- All risks: breakage, theft, fire, water damage, vandalism
- Excluded: normal wear and tear, pre-existing damage, war
Valuation and appraisal
- Agreed value: established by an expert before transport
- Appraisal certificate: essential for items worth more than 10,000 CHF
- Condition report: detailed photographic document before and after transport
- Recommended experts: Swiss Association of Art Experts (ASEA)
Art insurance costs
| Work value | Annual premium | Single transport premium |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10,000 CHF | 0.5-1% | 0.3-0.5% |
| 10,000 – 100,000 CHF | 0.3-0.8% | 0.2-0.4% |
| 100,000 – 1,000,000 CHF | 0.2-0.5% | 0.1-0.3% |
| Over 1,000,000 CHF | On request | On request |
Swiss regulations
Domestic transport
- No customs formalities for transport within Switzerland
- Value declaration recommended for insurance
- Compliance with traffic regulations for exceptional loads (if applicable)
International transport
- Form 18.44 for household effects including works of art
- Export certificate: mandatory for cultural property over 100 years old and valued at more than 5,000 CHF (Cultural Property Transfer Act, CPTA)
- UNESCO Convention: Switzerland applies international rules against trafficking in cultural property
- Freeports: Geneva and Zurich have specialist free zones for storing art in transit (VAT suspension regime)
VAT and taxation
- Import VAT: 8.1% on the value of the work (except for residence transfers)
- Freeports: VAT suspension as long as the work remains in the free zone
- Exemption: franchise for household effects (form 18.44)
Tips and tricks
- Choose a specialist carrier: a general mover does not have the equipment or training needed for art
- Insist on a condition report: before and after transport, it is your best protection
- Do not touch the work: let the professionals handle it, even for small objects
- Insure correctly: the declared value must match the actual value of the work
- Plan ahead: a well-prepared art transport costs less and is safer than a rushed one
- Store correctly: if the work must be stored between transports, choose a climate-controlled space
- Check certifications: ARTIM, ICEFAT, ISO 9001 are marks of professionalism
Art storage
For secure storage between transports or during renovations:
- Climate-controlled warehouses dedicated to art (temperature and humidity controlled 24/7)
- Enhanced security: alarm, CCTV, biometric access control, guarding
- Price: 60 to 120 CHF/m3/month in climate-controlled storage
- Freeports: a tax-efficient solution for international collections
How to choose an art carrier
Essential criteria
- Specialisation: the carrier must specialise in art (not a general mover)
- References: museums, galleries, collectors who use their services
- Equipment: climate-controlled vehicles, museum crates, handling equipment
- Staff: specific training in art handling
- Insurance: nail-to-nail coverage with appropriate amounts
- Traceability: data loggers, condition reports, real-time GPS tracking
Certifications and affiliations
- ARTIM (Association of Registrars and Image Managers)
- ICEFAT (International Convention of Exhibition and Fine Art Transporters)
- ISO 9001 for quality management
Request a quote for art transport
Frequently asked questions
Questions fréquentes
For a local transport (same city) of a standard painting (up to 1 m2), expect between 300 and 600 CHF, soft packing included. For an intercantonal move, the price rises to 600-1,200 CHF. If the work requires a museum crate, add 200 to 800 CHF. For a high-value or large-format painting, prices increase according to the insurance and packing required.
For professional transport, the painting is protected with acid-free conservation paper, then wrapped in polyethylene foam and bubble wrap. Corners are reinforced with foam protectors. For valuable works, a custom museum crate with sculpted foam and climate insulation is essential. Never place plastic film directly on an oil painting.
Yes, a mover's standard liability insurance is insufficient to cover the value of a work of art. Take out nail-to-nail insurance which covers the work from collection to installation. The cost ranges from 0.1 to 1% of the declared value. For high-value works, a prior appraisal by an art expert is necessary.
Yes, provided a climate-controlled vehicle is used that maintains temperature between 18 and 22°C. Thermal shocks are dangerous for paintings (cracking) and wood (warping). In winter, the transition from heated interior to cold exterior to truck must be as brief as possible. Museum crates with thermal insulation provide additional protection.
For cultural property over 100 years old and valued at more than 5,000 CHF, an export certificate is mandatory (Cultural Property Transfer Act, CPTA). For more recent works, standard customs formalities apply (form 18.44 if moving). The Geneva and Zurich freeports allow VAT-free transit.
No, a standard storage unit or regular self-storage is not suitable for works of art. Temperature and humidity fluctuations, lack of climate control and insufficient security can cause irreversible damage. Opt for a specialist art warehouse with 24/7 climate control, controlled humidity and enhanced security.
For a simple local transport, 1 to 2 weeks is generally sufficient. For transport requiring a custom museum crate, allow 3 to 4 weeks (crate fabrication). For international transport with customs formalities, 4 to 8 weeks is recommended. During art fair season (Art Basel in June, artgeneve in January), specialist carriers are in high demand: book even earlier.