Consolidation and crating
Everything bought across the markets is collected into one place, checked, photographed, wrapped and, for fragile or valuable pieces, crated to measure.
Consolidating saves money: one crate or one pallet instead of several separate shipments, and one set of paperwork.
Air, sea or road
| Mode | Typical use | Indicative transit |
|---|---|---|
| Road | Within Europe, including the UK, Italy, Switzerland | Days to about two weeks |
| Air | Lighting, mirrors, smaller furniture, urgent projects | About 1 to 2 weeks door to door |
| Sea | Larger furniture and full projects to the US, Gulf or Asia | About 4 to 10 weeks door to door |
Paperwork
French export certificate
Most furniture and objects leave France without a licence. Cultural goods above legal age and value thresholds, which vary by category, need a French export certificate. We check this before you buy and handle the application.
VAT
Many antiques are sold under the margin scheme, with no VAT shown on the invoice. When VAT is charged, it can usually be removed for export outside the EU with the right documents. We check each dealer's invoice.
Import duties
In the United States, genuine antiques over 100 years old generally enter duty-free; more recent pieces follow their normal tariff classification. In the UAE, import duty is generally around 5 percent plus 5 percent VAT. Other destinations have their own rules; your customs broker confirms, and we provide the invoices and descriptions they need.
Sanctions
EU sanctions ban the export of antiques, works of art and other luxury goods above €750 to Russia and Belarus. We do not ship there, directly or indirectly.
Insurance
Shipments are insured door to door through the shipper, on the purchase value. Condition is photographed before crating.
Questions
How long does shipping from Paris to New York take?
About 1 to 2 weeks by air and about 4 to 8 weeks by sea, door to door, depending on the shipper's consolidation schedule.
Do antiques pay import duty in the US?
Genuine antiques over 100 years old generally enter the US duty-free. More recent vintage pieces follow their normal tariff classification.
Can you ship to Dubai?
Yes, by air or sea. Import duty in the UAE is generally around 5 percent plus 5 percent VAT; your broker confirms for each shipment.
Do you ship to Russia?
No. EU sanctions prohibit exporting antiques and luxury goods above €750 to Russia and Belarus.