If you’re considering taking artwork home with you …

Gallery staff will create a customs invoice, package the work for transport, and even walk with the customer to his/her vehicle. Items on canvas can often be rolled into a travel-safe tube for transport by vehicle or by air. Gallery staff are happy to help those thinking of taking their newly purchased artwork home themselves decide how best to get it there — including insurance, airline carry-on/checked baggage rules and the like. “Don’t try to work it all out on your own,” says Messeguer. Artwork is classified as “cultural property” in Canada. Generally, any work that is less than 50 years old, or is by an artist who is still living, is not subject to duty charges or export control. For information on export rules for other works, visit the Ministry of Canadian Heritage website at pch.gc.ca and follow the links to “A Guide to Exporting Cultural Property from Canada.”