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Shipping Options

Each artist on Artbase Gallery ships their own products directly to you. This guide explains how shipping works, costs, delivery times, and options for multiple addresses.

Per-Artist Fulfillment​

Key Concept: Each artist ships independently

What This Means:

  • ✅ Artists ship from their studios
  • ✅ You receive multiple packages (one per artist)
  • ✅ Different delivery times possible
  • ✅ Each artist chooses their carrier and method
  • ✅ Individual tracking per artist

Example Order:

Order #G-12345 (3 items from 2 artists)

Package 1: Sarah Chen Studio (CA)
 → Ships via USPS Priority Mail
 → Estimated arrival: 3-5 days
 → Tracking: 9400111111111111111111

Package 2: Bob's Pottery (OR)
 → Ships via UPS Ground
 → Estimated arrival: 5-7 days
 → Tracking: 1Z999AA10123456784
Why This Method?

Direct artist fulfillment ensures quality control, faster processing, and supports independent businesses. You may receive packages on different days.

Shipping Costs​

How Costs Are Calculated​

Each artist sets their own shipping rates based on:

  • Package Weight: Heavier items cost more
  • Package Size: Dimensional weight
  • Shipping Distance: Farther = more expensive
  • Shipping Method: Priority vs. ground
  • Special Handling: Fragile items may cost more

Typical Ranges:

  • Small prints/jewelry: $5-10
  • Medium paintings/ceramics: $10-20
  • Large artwork: $20-50
  • Oversized pieces: $50-150+

Flat Rate vs. Calculated​

Flat Rate Shipping:

  • Same cost regardless of location (within US)
  • Simpler for buyers
  • Example: $12 flat rate USPS Priority

Calculated Shipping:

  • Varies by your location
  • More accurate pricing
  • May be cheaper for nearby buyers
  • More expensive for distant buyers

Combined Shipping​

Within Same Artist:

  • Multiple items from one artist may qualify for combined shipping
  • Discount shown at checkout
  • Varies by artist policy

Across Artists:

  • No combined shipping across different artists
  • Each ships independently
  • Pay shipping per artist
Save on Shipping

Buy multiple items from the same artist to potentially save on shipping. Many artists offer discounts when shipping multiple pieces together.

Shipping Methods​

Common Carriers​

Artists typically use:

USPS (United States Postal Service):

  • Priority Mail (2-3 days)
  • Priority Mail Express (1-2 days)
  • Ground Advantage (2-8 days)
  • International shipping available

UPS:

  • Ground (1-5 days)
  • 3-Day Select
  • 2nd Day Air
  • Next Day Air

FedEx:

  • Ground (1-5 days)
  • Express Saver (3 days)
  • 2-Day
  • Overnight

Regional Carriers:

  • OnTrac (West Coast)
  • LaserShip (East Coast)
  • Local couriers

Shipping Speed​

Standard Shipping (most common):

  • 3-7 business days
  • Ground or Priority Mail
  • Most economical option

Expedited Shipping (if offered):

  • 2-3 business days
  • Higher cost
  • Not all artists offer

Express Shipping (rare):

  • 1-2 business days
  • Significant additional cost
  • Contact artist directly to arrange

Delivery Times​

Processing + Transit​

Total Delivery Time = Processing Time + Transit Time

Processing Time:

  • How long artist takes to prepare and ship
  • Typically: 1-3 business days
  • Made-to-order: 1-4 weeks
  • Shown on product page

Transit Time:

  • Carrier's delivery estimate
  • Varies by method and distance
  • Shown at checkout

Example:

Product: Abstract Painting
Processing: 2 business days
Transit: 3-5 business days (USPS Priority)
Total: 5-7 business days from order date

Estimated Delivery Date​

At checkout, you'll see estimated delivery:

Calculation:

  • Order date + processing time + transit time
  • Accounts for weekends and holidays
  • Per-artist estimates (may differ)

Accuracy:

  • Estimates, not guarantees
  • Weather can cause delays
  • Carrier delays occasional
  • Most orders arrive on time or early

Shipping Addresses​

Single Address​

Most orders ship to one address:

Standard Checkout:

  1. Enter shipping address
  2. All items ship there
  3. Receive all packages at that location

Address Requirements:

  • Street address (preferred over P.O. Box)
  • City, state, ZIP
  • Phone number (for carrier)
  • Apartment/unit number if applicable
P.O. Boxes

Some carriers (UPS, FedEx) cannot deliver to P.O. Boxes. USPS can. Check product's shipping carrier before using P.O. Box.

Multiple Addresses​

Send items from different artists to different locations:

Use Cases:

  • Gifts to multiple recipients
  • Some items home, some to office
  • Send to vacation home

How It Works:

  1. At checkout, select "Ship to multiple addresses"
  2. Assign each artist's products to an address
  3. Shipping calculated per artist per address

Example:

Sarah's products → 123 Main St (your home)
Bob's products → 456 Oak Ave (gift recipient)

Cost Impact:

  • Shipping calculated per destination
  • May increase total shipping cost
  • Clearly shown before payment

International Shipping​

Artists Offering International​

Not all artists ship internationally:

Check Availability:

  • Product page shows shipping countries
  • "Ships to" section
  • If your country not listed, artist doesn't ship there

Why Some Artists Don't Ship Internationally:

  • High costs
  • Complex customs
  • Shipping restrictions
  • Limited experience

International Costs​

International shipping is more expensive:

Typical Costs:

  • Canada: $25-75
  • UK/Europe: $50-150
  • Asia/Australia: $75-200
  • Depends on weight and size

Additional Fees:

  • Customs Duties: Charged by your country
  • Import VAT: Varies by country
  • Brokerage Fees: Carrier handling fees
  • Not Included: Buyer responsible for these fees
Customs Charges

International buyers may owe customs duties and taxes upon delivery. These are not included in the order total and are your responsibility.

International Delivery Times​

Longer than domestic:

Typical Ranges:

  • Canada: 7-14 days
  • UK/Europe: 10-21 days
  • Asia/Australia: 14-30 days
  • Varies by carrier and customs

Customs Delays:

  • Packages may sit in customs
  • No control over timing
  • Track via carrier website

Tracking Shipments​

Receiving Tracking Info​

Once artist ships:

Notification Email:

  • Tracking number
  • Carrier information
  • Link to track package
  • Estimated delivery date

Order Page:

  • Log in → Orders
  • View order details
  • Click tracking number
  • Updates in real-time

Multiple Tracking Numbers​

Multi-artist orders = multiple tracking numbers:

Organization:

  • Each artist's package tracked separately
  • All tracking numbers on order page
  • Separate emails per shipment

Example Order Page:

Order #G-12345

Package 1 - Sarah Chen Studio
  Status: Shipped
  Carrier: USPS
  Tracking: 9400111111111111111111
  Estimated Delivery: Dec 15

Package 2 - Bob's Pottery
  Status: Processing
  Estimated Ship Date: Dec 13

Learn more about tracking

Special Shipping Situations​

Fragile Items​

Art and ceramics require special care:

Artist Packaging:

  • Professional packing materials
  • Corner protection (paintings)
  • Bubble wrap (ceramics)
  • "Fragile" labels
  • Insurance (often included)

Your Responsibility:

  • Inspect upon delivery
  • Report damage immediately
  • Keep packaging for returns
  • Photo/video unboxing (recommended)

Large/Oversized Items​

Shipping large artwork:

Freight Shipping:

  • Very large pieces may ship freight
  • Requires appointment for delivery
  • May need help unloading
  • Significantly more expensive

Curbside vs. White Glove:

  • Curbside: Delivered to street
  • White Glove: Brought inside, unwrapped (extra cost)

Coordination:

  • Artist contacts you to arrange
  • Discuss logistics before shipping
  • May take longer to coordinate

Shipping Insurance​

Included Insurance​

Most artists include basic insurance:

Standard Coverage:

  • USPS: $100 included
  • UPS/FedEx: $100-200 included
  • Higher value items usually fully insured

What Insurance Covers:

  • Lost packages
  • Damaged in transit
  • Stolen packages (with proof)

Filing Claims:

  • Report damage/loss immediately
  • Artist files claim with carrier
  • Refund or replacement provided

Additional Insurance​

High-value items may have insurance cost:

When Applied:

  • Items over $500-1000
  • Insurance cost added to shipping
  • Clearly disclosed at checkout

Save on Shipping​

Tips for Lower Costs​

Buy from Nearby Artists:

  • Shorter distance = lower cost
  • Filter by artist location
  • Support local when possible

Combine Purchases:

  • Buy multiple items from same artist
  • Many offer combined shipping discounts
  • Plan purchases to group items

Choose Standard Shipping:

  • Avoid expedited unless needed
  • Standard is usually 3-7 days anyway
  • Significant cost savings

Be Flexible on Timing:

  • Artists may batch shipments
  • Offer to wait for better rate
  • Contact artist to discuss

Next Steps​

→ Payment & Checkout

Complete your purchase securely

→ Track Your Order

Monitor per-artist shipments

→ Returns & Refunds

Understand the return policy

Shipping questions? Contact the artist directly through your order page or gallery support at support@artbase.studio.