Art & Gallery Logistics
JLog is a specialist art logistics company based in Cape Town. We ship art from South Africa to galleries, collectors, and institutions worldwide with museum-grade crating, climate-monitored transport, and full customs expertise.
As a registered customs clearing agent with climate-controlled storage, JLog provides end-to-end art logistics without relying on third parties.
Our Art Services
Every artwork is different. We match the packing method, carrier route, and customs approach to the specific requirements of your piece — from small works on paper to large-scale installations.
Museum-grade crates built from marine plywood with acid-free tissue, Tyvek wrapping, foam-lined interiors, and climate seals. Every crate made to measure for the artwork it protects.
Temperature and humidity data loggers on every high-value shipment. Full transit records for insurance claims and condition reporting. Climate-controlled storage at our Woodstock facility.
FedEx and DHL art-certified routes to 220+ countries. Specialist handling at origin and destination. Door-to-door service with full tracking from Cape Town to anywhere in the world.
Expert classification under HS codes 9701–9706. Temporary import permits and ATA Carnets for exhibitions. Duty exemptions for original artwork. Full SARS compliance.
Nail-to-nail all-risk coverage from gallery wall to collector's home. Premiums from 0.5% of declared value. Specialist fine art underwriters, not generic cargo policies.
Professional white-glove installation in galleries, homes, and offices. Picture hanging, sculpture placement, exhibition setup, and condition reporting on delivery.
Our Process
On-site visit or photo review to determine packing requirements
Custom crate built to ISPM-15 standards with acid-free materials
Art handlers collect from gallery or studio with condition report
HS classification, documentation, and SARS electronic submission
Climate-monitored air or sea freight with real-time tracking
Destination customs clearance and duty payment on arrival
White-glove delivery, unpacking, installation, and sign-off
Materials
Every crate is built by hand in our Woodstock workshop. We use marine-grade plywood rated for international shipping, with ISPM-15 heat treatment stamps for phytosanitary compliance. Inside, the artwork is wrapped in acid-free tissue, then Tyvek moisture barrier, then secured with closed-cell polyethylene foam cut to the exact contours of the piece. Paintings travel in double-walled crates with floating inner frames to absorb vibration. Sculptures sit in custom foam cavities. Works on paper go in rigid portfolios with silica gel packs for humidity control.
For high-value works above R500,000, we include temperature and humidity data loggers that record conditions every 15 minutes throughout transit. This data forms part of the condition report and is required by most fine art insurers for claims processing.
Commercial invoice, packing list with artwork descriptions and dimensions, certificate of origin, SARS export declaration (SAD500). For artworks by listed South African artists, we advise on heritage export requirements.
Temporary import permits (TIP) for exhibitions, ATA Carnets for art fair exhibitors, permanent import clearance with duty-free classification under HS 9701–9706 for original works. Bond arrangements available for customs deposits.
Customs Expertise
Art has its own customs language. Original paintings (HS 9701), original engravings and prints (HS 9702), original sculptures (HS 9703), and antiques over 100 years old (HS 9706) all qualify for 0% import duty in South Africa and most major markets. But prints, reproductions, and decorative items attract duties of 10–20%.
Correct classification is the difference between duty-free entry and an unexpected R50,000 bill. As a SARS-licensed customs broker, we handle the HS code classification, prepare all documentation, and submit electronically. For temporary exhibitions we manage ATA Carnets — the international customs passport that allows artwork to move across borders duty-free for 12 months.
Protection
Nail-to-nail coverage from gallery wall to final installation. Photo-documented condition reports at every handover point create an unbroken chain of custody.
We partner with specialist fine art insurers to provide nail-to-nail all-risk coverage. This includes damage, loss, and theft during transit, handling, temporary storage, and installation. Premiums typically range from 0.5% to 1.5% of declared value depending on the route, medium, and artwork value. Coverage begins the moment the work leaves the gallery wall and ends when it is installed at the destination.
Every artwork is photographed from multiple angles at collection, at each transfer point, and at final delivery. Reports are timestamped, GPS-tagged, and stored digitally on our platform. This documentation is essential for insurance claims and provides galleries and collectors with complete peace of mind. Reports include surface condition, frame integrity, and any pre-existing marks or damage.
Our Clients
Pricing
Indicative pricing for standard artworks via air freight. Final quotes depend on exact dimensions, weight, crating needs, and insurance requirements.
| Destination | Small Painting (up to 1m) | Large Painting (1-2m) | Sculpture (up to 50kg) | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | R3,500 – R6,500 | R7,000 – R14,000 | R8,500 – R18,000 | 3–5 days |
| United States | R4,000 – R7,500 | R8,000 – R16,000 | R10,000 – R22,000 | 3–5 days |
| Germany / EU | R3,800 – R7,000 | R7,500 – R15,000 | R9,000 – R20,000 | 3–5 days |
| UAE | R3,200 – R6,000 | R6,500 – R13,000 | R8,000 – R17,000 | 2–4 days |
| Australia | R4,500 – R8,000 | R9,000 – R18,000 | R11,000 – R24,000 | 4–6 days |
| Domestic (SA) | R800 – R2,500 | R2,000 – R5,500 | R3,000 – R7,000 | 1–3 days |
Prices exclude crating (from R1,500), insurance (0.5–1.5% of value), and customs duties where applicable. Sea freight available for collections — contact us for bulk rates.
Get a Quote
Tell us what you are shipping and where. We respond with a detailed quote within 24 hours including crating, transport, customs, and insurance options.
+27 21 300 6099 (Mon–Fri, 08:00–17:00)
info@jlog.co.za
Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550
FAQ
Shipping a single framed painting via air freight to Europe or the US typically costs R3,500–R12,000 depending on size, weight, and destination. Sculptures and oversized works are priced individually based on crating complexity. Sea freight is more cost-effective for multiple works or large collections at R8,000–R25,000 per crate. All quotes include specialist handling, tracking, and customs documentation.
Yes. We manage ATA Carnets and temporary import permits for artwork entering South Africa for exhibitions, art fairs, and gallery shows. This allows artwork to enter the country duty-free for up to 12 months. We handle the full process including SARS submissions, bond arrangements, and re-export documentation.
We offer nail-to-nail all-risk insurance covering damage, loss, and theft during transit, handling, and temporary storage. Premiums are typically 0.5–1.5% of declared value depending on route and artwork type. We work with specialist fine art insurers, not generic cargo policies.
Original artwork under HS codes 9701–9706 generally qualifies for 0% import duty in South Africa and most major markets. Prints, reproductions, and decorative items may attract duty. We classify every item correctly, prepare all customs documentation, and submit electronically to SARS. For exports, we handle certificates of origin, commercial invoices, and any required export permits.
We build museum-grade crates from marine-grade plywood with acid-free tissue lining, Tyvek moisture barriers, closed-cell polyethylene foam cushioning, and climate seals. Every crate is custom-built to the exact dimensions of the artwork. For high-value works we include temperature and humidity data loggers that record conditions every 15 minutes throughout transit.
From Our Clients
"JLog handled our entire Investec Cape Town Art Fair logistics flawlessly. Their customs expertise saved us days of clearance delays and their real-time tracking meant we always knew where every piece was."
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