Shipping art from Bali, crated to museum grade

Yes. Air from Denpasar runs USD 4–7 per kg economy (7–10 days) or 5–12 express (3–10 business days), as of 2026. Airlines bill volumetric weight, so the crate’s size sets the price. For one painting, economy air usually beats six weeks of shared sea freight.

Most do not. Contemporary carvings in plantation woods such as suar clear without CITES paperwork. Permits apply to protected timber species or pieces with coral, shell, feathers or ivory. Every carving is screened from your photos before quoting.

LCL sea freight Indonesia–USA runs about USD 150–250 per CBM, so a statue crating out at one cubic metre lands in that band, plus crating and insurance. Heavy or multi-piece works often justify a 20ft container at roughly USD 2,500–4,500.

Untreated wood can be held for treatment at your cost on arrival. That is prevented by fumigating in Bali before loading and shipping the certificate with the export documents. Crates use ISPM 15 heat-treated timber, which Australian quarantine accepts as standard.

The genuine acquisition or replacement value, matching your commercial invoice. Insurance costs about 2% of that figure — some Bali providers cite up to 3% — and any claim is capped at the declared amount.