How to ship fine art + craft pieces?

Question

I am setting up a gallery which will sell curated pieces from artists based in key locations of the world. Buyers will be able to buy anywhere in the world.

What I need is to understand:
1. How is fine art shipped from around the world, what are the considerations?
2. How are craft pieces which will include decorated tables, shipped?
3. Do FedEx and DHL also pack art pieces? Is there an art packaging service with a global presence?

Reference to online guides will be invaluable, though I am have already googled and yahooed. Need advice from those in the art field.

Answer 1

Check out the Golden Paints website search engine, type in "shipping paintings" and you'll find some great advice on the technical aspects of shipping acrylic paintings.
http://www.goldenpaints.com/search/search.php

The rest of the info you want can be had by calling shipping companies. They have many insurance restrictions especially regarding shipping breakables - most will not insure anything glass or ceramic. Their size, weight and protective packaging restrictions are pretty stringent as well, but their representatives are very helpful.

Mail Boxes Etc will pack your stuff for a price. You might be able to do it more cheaply yourself with the proper materials.

http://www.mbe.com/

I own a gallery and have shipped many pieces worldwide. I will not ship a painting that is framed with glass, but will remove the glass first, and the customer replaces the glass at a framer's when they receive it (at their own expense). The safest way to ship is a well-padded box inside another well-padded (bubble-wrapped) box.