Shipping Artwork from Dakar: Packing, Documents and Quotes

To ship or carry home a work bought in Dakar, think about four things: packing suited to the work's technique, the choice between hand luggage and freight, the documents to keep (invoice, certificate of authenticity) and a clear quote. At Ge'eza a work can be collected in Point E or shipped outside Dakar on a quote, and it leaves with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.

First, ask the gallery

The simplest approach is to discuss logistics at the time of purchase, or even before. The gallery knows the work: its dimensions, weight, the fragility of its surface. It can tell you whether it is better to roll it, take it off its stretcher or put it in a crate. That conversation avoids surprises and costs.

At Ge'eza, collection is in Point E, and shipping outside Dakar is prepared on a quote. Specify the destination, the delay you want and the value you wish to insure, to get a realistic quote.

What packing for which work

Each technique has its demands.

• Canvas (oil, acrylic, mixed media). It can travel on its stretcher, protected by film, corner boards and foam, in a crate or a reinforced box. For a large format it can sometimes be taken off the stretcher and rolled, but only on the advice of the artist or a specialist: thick or fragile paint risks cracking.
• Work on paper or photograph. Flat, in a rigid folder, protected with neutral paper. Avoid tubes for fragile pieces, and keep them dry.
• Framed work under glass. Glass is the weak point: secure it with suitable tape and a rigid board, then wrap in foam. A frame without glass, or with acrylic glazing, travels more safely.
• Sculpture or object. Wedged in a made-to-measure crate, with cut foam or soft padding.

Ask the gallery or a specialist carrier to handle packing: this is a step where saving money rarely pays.

Hand luggage, hold luggage or freight

Hand luggage suits small works, such as a drawing or a small unframed canvas. Check the airline's rules on permitted dimensions before departure.

The hold requires a sturdy crate and a safety margin, as handling is rough.

Freight, or transport by a specialist, suits large pieces, sets and valuable works. It involves a quote, professional packing and shipping formalities. It is the safest option for anything fragile or important.

The documents to keep

Always keep with the work:

1. the gallery's invoice;
2. the certificate of authenticity signed by the artist (see the answer on the certificate of authenticity);
3. a description of the work: artist, title, year, technique, dimensions;
4. photographs of the work before packing.

Rules for leaving Senegal and entering the destination country vary and change. We do not detail them here. Check with the relevant authorities before shipping, and ask the carrier what it can take care of.

Insure the journey

For a valuable work, transport insurance is strongly advised. It rests on the declared value, that is, the price paid and the documents that prove it. Keep the invoice and photographs: they will be used in case of a claim. Also check what the policy covers: damage in transit, loss, delay.

Timing, cost, tracking

The cost of shipping depends on size, weight, fragility, destination and mode of transport. That is why a personalised quote is the only serious answer. Ask that it states what is included: packing, pickup, transport, insurance, formalities. Then follow the shipment through to delivery, and open the parcel with a photograph of the initial condition to hand.

After arrival

On receipt, unpack the work carefully, check the condition of the surface and frame, and report any damage immediately to the carrier and the insurer, with photographs. Let the work acclimatise before hanging it if the journey changed climate.

Going through Ge'eza

The gallery's works can be seen Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm, at 656 avenue Birago Diop in Point E. Payment is by Wave, Orange Money, bank card or on site. To get a shipping quote, write on WhatsApp at +221 78 660 07 07, or to geezacultures@gmail.com, stating the work and the destination. The gallery page shows the available pieces. If you buy from afar, the auctions page explains how to register, and handover or shipping after payment.

Checklist before departure

Before handing over the work, check: the invoice and certificate are in the file; the work is photographed from several angles; the packing suits its technique; the quote states what it includes; insurance is in place if the piece has value; you know the rules of your arrival country.

Choosing between the options

If the work is small, light and unframed, carrying it yourself is often the simplest and cheapest path. If it is large, framed, fragile or valuable, professional freight is worth the cost, because the carrier knows how to pack, handle and insure it. When in doubt, ask the gallery team what they would do with their own purchase, then compare that advice with at least one quote.