The article investigates the rising cost of art shipping, which has become a major issue for the art industry since the Covid-19 pandemic. Industry figures including Fritz Dietl of Dietl logistics, Belgian collector Alain Servais, art advisor Michaela Neumeister de Pury, New York collector Jonathan Travis, dealer Jack Shainman, and OCS Art Services owner Nicole Scuderi describe shipping as a 'necessary evil' and a 'major stumbling block' that affects galleries, collectors, fairs, auction houses, and museums. Costs surged during Covid due to inflation in labor, materials, and insurance, and have not come down, while complications from Brexit, U.S. trade policies, and New York State tax laws have added further layers of expense and confusion.
This matters because shipping is the backbone of the global art market, influencing how art is bought, sold, and exhibited. As the market has slumped over the past three years, complaints about shipping costs have intensified, with some buyers using them as bargaining tools and others passing on artworks entirely. The article signals that this logistical challenge is not just a minor annoyance but a systemic issue that affects pricing, sales strategies, and the accessibility of the art market for both new and seasoned participants.