INTERNATIONAL ART SHIPPERS
SERVICES
30+ Years of Customs & Import/Export Experience.
Atelier 4 are international art shippers with in-house, US CBP-licensed customs brokerage and over 30 years of import/export experience. We manage cross-border fine art transport end-to-end — air and sea freight, multi-country consolidation, ATA Carnet, and customs clearance — across 50+ countries, with no third-party agents or handoffs.
With decades of import/export experience and in-house customs expertise, Atelier 4 safely and expeditiously transports valuable property around the world and into the United States.
What do international art shippers do?
International art shippers move fine art and other high-value property across borders and clear it through customs — coordinating packing and crating, air and sea freight, temporary-import documentation, and regulatory compliance so a work arrives intact, on schedule, and without customs delays. With decades of import/export experience and in-house customs expertise, Atelier 4 safely and expeditiously transports valuable property around the world and into the United States for museums, galleries, private collectors, and government institutions.
Which countries do you serve?
Atelier 4 ships fine art to 50+ countries. For overseas legs, we work with a select group of trusted partners worldwide — many of them members of ICEFAT, a global trade organization of fine art logistics experts that EY independently audits. Through our ICEFAT membership we are directly connected to a pre-vetted network of fine art logistics companies in over 30 countries, with key gateways to Europe, to Central and South America via our Miami facility, and to the Pacific Rim via Los Angeles.
Why book through an IATA-certified, TSA-approved art shipper?
Atelier 4 is an IATA-certified and TSA-approved carrier, which removes the cost and risk that third-party agents add:
IATA certification lets us book directly with airlines at competitive rates, avoiding Tariff and Compliance Tool (TACT) charges and third-party agency fees.
TSA approval lets us tender cargo from our TSA-audited facilities directly to the terminal, without additional vendor charges. Our ion-trace detection screening clears closed crates for the terminal, avoiding the handling risk — and potential delays or damage — of a physical inspection at the airport.
Because handling, customs brokerage, and freight booking all happen under one roof, there are no third-party agents or handoffs from pickup to final delivery.
How does Atelier 4 handle customs and import duties?
Authorized by US Customs and Border Protection, our in-house Licensed Customs Broker acts as an agent in handling the customs clearance process for our clients — so a shipment never passes through a third-party broker. We coordinate all related services, including:
ATA Carnet for temporary, duty-free import and export of goods for up to a year;
Courier hand-carries where appropriate and secure;
Courier accompaniment and tarmac supervision; and
Compliance and regulatory advisory, oversight, and permitting.
With 30+ years of clearance experience, we work directly with U.S. Fish & Wildlife, the FCC, and CITES to keep shipments moving and avoid delays, fines, or seizures — a critical step for works that contain protected plant or animal materials regulated under CITES.
CONTACT US
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CONTACT US •
Our Clients
“I chose to work with A4 because I have a relationship with them, but I think they have a relationship with many of their clients. They know us, we’re not just some billing line for them.”
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Our clients’ discretion is our #1 priority.
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![Warehouse storage area with wooden crates marked fragile, stacked along the sides, concrete floor, and white walls with exposed pipes and ceiling fixtures.]()
Storage
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![A person opening a cabinet drawer showing a ceramic or clay sculpture of an octopus inside.]()
Crating
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![Model airplanes displayed on a table in front of wire racks and signs labeled 'EXPORT PENDING' at an exhibition or office setting.]()
International
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![Two white commercial vehicles, one large delivery truck and one smaller van, parked in a lot in front of a brown office building with large windows, under a partly cloudy sky.]()
Local Transportation
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![A white delivery truck with a refrigeration unit on top is parked in a vast open field with dry grass and rolling hills in the background during sunset.]()
Interstate Shuttles
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![Modern living room with abstract art painting, white sofa, armchair, side table, and large window with sunlight.]()
Concierge
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![Black and white photo of palm trees and a sandy landscape during a storm with gusty wind.]()
S+A+F+E
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![Two men are installing or repairing ceiling lights or fixtures in an interior room. One man stands on a step ladder while the other supports him. They are both wearing gray shirts with a yellow logo and black gloves.]()
Installation
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! A4 has been an international art logistics provider for 30+ years and can assist with everything from customs clearance to route planning, crate inspection, and courier coordination.
We are IATA certified, which allows us to book directly with airlines at competitive rates—avoiding TACT surcharges and third-party booking fees. Ion trace detection method allows us to screen closed crates for approval at airline terminals and avoid the extra handling risk of a physical inspection at the airport and that can lead to delays or damage.
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A4 is a member of ICEFAT, a worldwide art logistics industry organization that maintains professional standard for shipping, handling and storing art and is independently audited by EY. Through our ICEFAT membership, A4 is directly connected with a pre-vetted global network of trusted fine art logistics companies in over 30 countries.
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Authorized by US Customs and Border Protection, our in-house Licensed Customs Broker acts as an agent in handling customs clearance for our clients. A4 has 30+ years’ experience working with with U.S. Fish & Wildlife, FCC, and CITES to avoid delays, fines, or seizures.
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A customs broker is a professional licensed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to clear goods through customs on an importer's behalf — filing entries, calculating duties, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Atelier 4 keeps a US CBP-licensed customs broker in-house, so fine art clears customs without a third-party handoff.
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An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows temporary, duty-free import and export of artwork for up to one year — ideal for exhibitions, art fairs, and loans. Atelier 4 processes ATA Carnets in-house as part of its international art shipping service.
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Yes. Atelier 4 ships fine art to 50+ countries through its ICEFAT partner network, with key gateways to Europe, to Central and South America via Miami, and to the Pacific Rim via Los Angeles.