How to ship, or not to ship?

Question

I bought a large framed oil painting in Brazil (100cm x 50cm and weighs 6kg). Is it better to take this back as luggage in my flight back to the U.S., or ship it back (if so how... NOT Fedex please, I called them and they want $250 USD, which is more than I paid for the painting!).

Thanks

Answer 1

I buy paintings all the time .
I would pack it well.
Bubble, Carton Box, but the secret is to wrap a plastic sheet around the box. This will help to protect the box , corners of suitcases can cause damage , and will protect from any rain .
Please check with the airline first, because e.g .American Airlines has restrictions on checked in boxes, especially during busy periods of the year, like December..
If not just take the painting off it's stretchure, and put inside a tubeand carry it on as hand luggage.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Depending on which airline you are flying, you can usually ship special items (like paintings, fragile items etc) for an additional fee of $50 per item. I did this when I brought glass back from Argentina

Answer 3

You are much better off taking it with you as luggage, just make sure it is securely packed or wrapped and marked fragile, the airlines may charge you a small fee, if you have alot of baggage, otherwise they won't even charge you at all.