| What information must be included with my artwork? |
Most exhibitors for an art show are required to include certain documentation with their artwork. We provide a Shipping Form that must be included with your shipment to us. This provides all instructions for sending your artwork and explains how it will be returned to you.
This form usually is provided to you once your submission has been accepted by the show or exhibit.
This form can be placed in an enveloped and taped to the outside of your box. If you prefer, it can also be enclosed inside the box with your artwork.
When we have an active show, another copy of the Shipping Form is available through a link at the top of this page.
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| How many pieces may be shipped together? |
For shows that we handle, each exhibitor may submit up to 3 pieces in a single box or crate specified fee.
For each additional piece per box, per exhibitor, an additional fee applies as stated on the Shipping Form.
For each additional box shipped to us, a separate fee must be included as stated on the Shipping Form (same per-box limits as above apply).
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| What additional costs may be incurred? |
After the exhibition, you will be charged return shipping costs based on local rates at that time.
At that time, if your original packing materials are damaged or do not meet current packing standards for shipping and/or coverage of fragile items at your stated value, we will repack your artwork with our materials for an additional fee.
Following are some fees that may be incurred:
| Any form of supplemental packing |
A minimum service fee of $10 plus packing material cost will apply if any form of additional packing materials or service is required. |
| Newspaper, burst bubble wrap and/or damaged air bags |
These items do not provide sufficient protection to artwork in transit.
Materials fee of $5 per cubic foot of material required |
| Packaging lacks minimum of 2" foam protection (not just bubble) between artwork and outer box |
New boxing or resizing of original box(es). Minimum service fee of $10 plus retail cost of materials. |
| Insufficient fill used in original shipment |
Additional fill will be added at a cost of $5 per cubic foot of material required. |
| Original bubble torn, burst or otherwise not usable for return shipment |
Minimum charge of $10 plus material. |
| Outer box damaged on initial shipment or badly worn due to past usage. |
All attempts will be made to reinforce outer box. If box is deemed not safe for return shipment, new boxing will be required. (Items without corrugated protection are not insurable.) |
Unboxed Items
Items wrapped in paper |
Minimum service fee of $10 plus retail cost of materials will be charged. Items must be in a corrugated box in order to obtain declared value coverage. Items wrapped in paper or not in a complete box will be packed to carrier shipping standards. External "wrapping paper" will be removed or securly taped to prevent loss of address labels while in transit. |
Some artists may wish to arrange to pick up their artwork at First Class Pack & Ship. If you wish to make these arrangements, you must make this request in writing prior to the end date of the show in which you are exhibiting. Should you contact us after this date, we can sometimes make these arrangements IF your artwork has not yet been packed up and/or shipped to you. In this case, a $15.00 pickup fee will be charged to your credit card. (No other packing fees will be charged to you unless the item has already been packed and fees apply. No shipping fees will be charged to you unless the shipping label has already been processed.)
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| How will my artwork be returned to me? |
Return shipping will be via Federal Express or UPS ground service.
Items exceeding ground shipping size limits will be shipped via Federal Express Express Saver service (3 day service) or by motor freight.
We recommend that items with Declared Value coverage over $1,500 be shipped via Federal Express overnight service. Please specify if you wish to have your artwork returned in this manner. Items with Declared Value coverage of $2,000 or more will be returned via an air express service (not ground or postal service).
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| How do I pay for your services? |
Payment is made by credit card. The Shipping Form that is included with your shipment to us includes an authorization for us to charge:
- Standard service fee
- return shipping fees
- any additional repacking fees.
We understand that some exhibitors may prefer not to provide payment via credit card. Should you prefer payment via check, we require immediate payment of the Shipping Agent fee. You must also ensure that your e-mail address is provided on the Shipping Form. At the end of the exhibit we will contact you via e-mail with return shipping costs (including, if applicable, additional repacking fees.) Your artwork will not be returned until payment is received. The return shipping fee we provide to you will include an additional $10 to cover our storage, additional handling and administrative costs.
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| Can return shipping charges be billed to my shipper's account number? May I include a prepaid air bill? |
No. We do not ship using second or third party account numbers or prepaid shipping airbills/labels.
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| Will my artwork be insured during return shipping? |
Yes. We provide Declared Value coverage for your artwork at the value you indicate on the shipping form. If a value is not specified on the form, your shipment will have a "declared value" of $100. If sending more than one box, please indicate a "declared value" for each box. In the event of a damage or loss claim, you will need to provide us with documentation to substantiate this value.
All artwork valued at $300 or more will be shipped back with a signature required. Artwork not in a corrugated box is not insurable. All artwork valued at $2,000 or more will be shipped back using an express air service (normally Federal Express "Express").
First Class Pack & Ship utilizes carrier provided declared value protection to cover you for loss or damage of your artwork while in transit. It is important to note that carriers (such as Federal Express and UPS) have limited liability when shipping artwork, glass, one of a kind items, collectibles and other items. It is your responsibility to understand these limitations. We follow your instructions when purchasing this coverage. In the event of damage or loss in transit, decisions on if a particular item is covered by the carrier are not made by First Class Pack & Ship.
When declaring a value for returned artwork, keep in mind that any claim for damage or loss will require documentation to substantiate the value of your claim. (This is standard practice in the industry.) As an artist, you may not be able to claim for the retail value of your artwork. In many instances, you are only able to claim for the costs involved in creating or repairing your artwork.Top of Page |
| When must I have my artwork delivered to you? |
The deadline for delivery is stated on the Shipping Form. Artwork that arrives at our location after this date may not be delivered to the Art Center.
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| When can I expect my artwork to be returned? |
We normally pick up your artwork from an exhibition and repack it for return within ten business days following the exhibition's completion. As such, depending on your return address, you can expect to receive your artwork within two weeks following the exhibition's completion.
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| Where can I go to ship and/or have my artwork packed for shipment? |
Most cities and towns have a local Pack & Ship store. Check your local yellow pages directory.
Be sure to select a location that has experience in the packing &/or shipping of artwork. Many pack & ship stores lack this expertise. A reliable store should be able to pack and ship your art work or provide you with top quality packing materials.
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| Can I pay by check? |
Yes. However, payment by credit card is preferred. You should complete the credit card authorization section of the shipping form.
If paying by check, you must still complete and submit the Shipping Form with your artwork and include the Shipping Agent fee. You must also include your e-mail address on the Shipping Form.
We will send you an e-mail with the return shipping cost at the end of the exhibit. Your artwork will not be returned until payment is received. The return shipping fee we provide to you will include an additional $15 to cover our storage, additional handling and administrative costs.
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| Will you ship to a P.O. Box? |
No. You must provide us with a street address (business or residential). We return artwork only using a reliable, trackable shipping service.
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