How does shipping work?

Drop Shipping

Artsy Auctions function a bit differently from other auctions, as we do not keep physical inventory in a warehouse, but work with our shipping partners to source works at time of sale directly from our sellers. Artsy partners with multiple shipping partners for the safe and economical shipment of your artwork. 

The shipping timeline can vary depending on the artwork type, location and shipper's availability. Delivery generally takes between 2-5 weeks after buyer payment is confirmed. 

Once buyer payment is received, we will provide you with the name of the shipper assigned to your artwork and estimated collection timeline. Our shipping agent will reach out to you directly within 10 business days from payment confirmation to schedule a mutually agreeable time to collect the work. We ask that you release all works unpacked as our shipping partners are required to inspect every work upon collection. 

Packing is customized for each artwork and generally takes 3-7 business days for completion. 

Artsy will monitor the shipment from collection to delivery. The seller payment will go out within 8 days of delivery of the work to the buyer.

Direct Collection

If a buyer requests to pick up their purchased item, the seller will use reasonable efforts to make the item available to the buyer. Once buyer payment has been confirmed, a member of our Post Sale team will connect both parties via email. The seller and buyer will now coordinate the collection of the work and provide the tracking details to our Post Sale team for monitoring.

In addition, the seller will be provided a release form for the sold work. Both parties will be required to sign this document upon buyer collection, as well as noting any condition issues. 

The seller payment will go out within 8 days of release of the work to the buyer.

Impact Auctions

Sellers are required to ship directly to buyers for works consigned in Impact auctions.

After the sale closes, the Artsy Post Sale Team will be in touch with winning results and confirmed buyer addresses for custom shipping quotes. All shipping quotes must be received within 3 business days from auction close. Do not ship the  work until approval from the team is received.

Once the buyer’s payment has cleared, the post sale team will send the full buyer contact information and approval to proceed with shipment. 

Tracking must be provided within 7 business days after approval to ship. The post sale team will relay the shipping tracking details to the buyer and monitor the shipment until delivery.

Payment to the seller will be processed within 8 days of delivery. Payment will be inclusive of the hammer and quoted shipping costs.

Please also reference our article on International Shipping and Customs Clearance.