Each auction house has its own shipping terms, methods, and process for arranging shipment for won lots. Factors like weight, value, lot type, packaging, and distance may influence the shipping methods offered and the associated shipping fees.
It’s important to review the Shipping Details within the auction house’s terms and conditions before placing a bid. This will help you understand the shipping options available and ensure that you are capable of receiving the item.
When you receive an invoice through Invaluable, there will be up to 3 Shipping Methods available dependent on the auction house’s terms and item eligibility – Invaluable Shipping, Arrange Your Own, and Local Pick Up.
If you have selected Invaluable Shipping as your Shipping Method, you will see the included shipping quote and can book the shipment while paying the rest of your invoice. Then, you will receive an email confirming your purchase, and you can track the shipment directly from your Invaluable account by clicking on the “Track Shipment” button next to the won lot in your Purchases tab.
Otherwise, if you are arranging your own shipping or scheduling a local pick-up with the auction house, it is best to review the terms and conditions for the sale and any instructions provided in your invoice, and reach out to them directly
Review the shipping details within the auction listing to understand who manages shipment for the auction you are interested in. The house may provide details on options and who to contact for further questions.
If the auction house has not provided details on shipping options or who to contact, you may contact the auction house via the ‘Contact Seller’ button on their house page and select ‘Shipping Cost’ as the subject. If you’ve attempted to contact the auction house and have not received a response, we can follow up with the auction house for an update on your behalf.
If you win any lots which are eligible for Invaluable Shipping, you will see the option included directly on your invoice, along with quotes for any available shipping tiers. If you’re happy with the quote provided, you can book the shipment when you go to pay your invoice. At this time, Invaluable Shipping does not provide advance quotes for items which have not yet been won.
When you receive an invoice through Invaluable, Invaluable Shipping will be available dependent on the auction house’s terms and item eligibility.
If your items are eligible and you would like to use Invaluable Shipping as your shipping method, simply click on that option at check-out. Next to the option, you will also see the included shipping quote and available shipping tiers. If you’re happy with the provided quote and have made your selection, you can then pay your invoice to book shipment.
After booking your shipment, you will receive an email confirming your purchase, and you can track the shipment directly from your Invaluable account by clicking on the “Track Shipment” button next to the won lot in your Purchases tab.
Note: Invaluable Shipping may not be available for every lot on your invoice, so you may see multiple shipping methods on your invoice.
If you have selected Invaluable Shipping, you can access tracking from your invoice or your account page under Purchases.
If you arranged shipping directly with the auction house, please contact them directly for tracking details via the ‘Contact’ button on their auction house page and selecting ‘Shipping Status’
If you have arranged your own, you will need to contact that organization directly.
Invaluable cannot provide tracking numbers on any items not sent through Invaluable Shipping as we do not have access to that information. If you’ve attempted to contact the auction house via email or phone without a response, we can follow up with the auction house for an update on your behalf.
Invaluable shipments progress through up to 5 statuses, and the tracking page automatically updates with the current status of each shipment:
Pending – the booking has been received and our team is working on scheduling
Confirmed – the shipment has been contracted and an estimated delivery window is available
Collected – the item(s) have been picked up and are being packaged
In Transit – packages are moving towards the delivery address and the delivery date will update
Completed – the shipment has been delivered
Invaluable Shipping tracking will also include any additional notices relating to customs or holds on the shipment.
After you have booked your won lots with Invaluable Shipping, the tracking status will show as Pending until the order has been Confirmed. This simply means your booking has been received, our team is working on scheduling, and the shipment will be confirmed shortly.
Invaluable Shipping accesses a global carrier network consisting of over 300 regional partners. The exact local carrier handling your Invaluable Shipment will vary, but know that each one has been thoroughly vetted to ensure the highest standards of quality, compliance, and reliability.
Once you’ve booked an Invaluable Shipment, your lots will be inspected, packaged, and handled by a carrier local to the auction house, to be transported to their facilities for processing. Once done, the package will typically be handed off to a last-mile carrier like UPS or Fedex who will finally deliver your shipment.
If you have booked a White Glove tier shipment, you may instead expect to be contacted directly by a private shuttle service to arrange an exact date and time to drop off your shipment within a few business days of the estimated delivery window.
Yes, signatures are required at delivery for all shipments booked through Invaluable Shipping. This is to ensure secure handoff and proper documentation of delivery, as is in alignment with our Shipping Protection policy.
If you’re unavailable when the last-mile carrier is scheduled to deliver your shipment, they may re-attempt at a later date or hold the items at the nearest facility where you may pick them up instead. If you have booked a shipment via the White Glove tier, the shuttle service will be in direct contact with you to arrange an exact date and time to deliver the shipment.
After your shipment has been Collected from the auction house, it will be packed and handled at a local carrier facility, where it may process for a number of days. An estimated delivery window will be provided on the tracking widget – please note that these delivery windows are estimated based on industry standards and SLAs with the local carriers, but shipments may be delivered before or after the estimate dependant on delays and other factors.
If there is a delay with your shipment at this or any stage, you will see a note on your tracking widget indicating so. Once your shipment is handed off to a last-mile carrier like Fedex or UPS, you will see tracking updates to reflect this, along with a direct tracking link with further information as available.
Note that shipments may take a minimum 6-8 business days from the time the items are collected from the auction house to complete.
If you arranged shipping directly with the auction house, please contact them directly.
If you have arranged your own, you will need to contact that organization directly.
If you have selected Invaluable Shipping, please check its current status within your account first. You can access tracking from your invoice or your account page under Purchases. If you still have questions, contact Invaluable Customer Care.
If you’re unsure of who you arranged shipping with, contact the auction house directly for details. You can also check your invoice for shipping information – if you have booked through Invaluable Shipping, you will have received a shipping reference number and confirmation of your shipment via email.
Each auction house has its own process for shipping items. While consolidating multiple lots into one shipment typically offers the best value, factors such as weight, size, and value may necessitate using different shipping methods for different lots.
If you coordinated shipping directly with the Auction House (Arrange Your Own or Local Pickup):
Contact the auction house and/or the delivery provider to determine the available options, as this will depend on the auction house’s terms. Invaluable Shipping will not be an option.
If you selected Invaluable Shipping at checkout:
No, your selection cannot be changed.
If you selected this in error and you need to request a cancellation, please see ‘Who should I contact if I need to cancel my Invaluable Shipping order?’ Additionally, please review our refund policy prior to making your request. Once cancelled, you would need to contact the auction house for other arrangements.
Note: If your invoice was auto-charged by the auction house, a shipping method will not have been automatically selected for you. Please open your invoice again for shipping selection options.
Invoices from auction houses will automatically use the shipping address you provided during registration for their sale. Any invoices received post-sale will then automatically use this shipping address, unless edited prior to submitting payment.
If the invoice was sent directly from the auction house, you must contact them directly. You can find their contact information on the invoice or via the ‘Contact Seller’ button on their house page.
If the invoice is sent by Invaluable, you can update your shipping address when finalizing your purchase online for standard domestic address updates.
- Click on your current shipping address. A pop-up window will appear, allowing you to edit your information.
- Enter the new details and click on “Save Changes.”
Note: Sales tax may recalculate to reflect your new shipping address.
If you need your items shipped to a different country from what is listed on the invoice, please contact the auction house directly to provide them the correct address, and select Arrange Your Own as your shipping method, as we cannot accommodate international shipping address changes.
Please note that we cannot accommodate shipping address changes once payment has been made and Invaluable Shipping has been booked – if you need to cancel your shipment, please contact Customer Care.
Invaluable Shipping offers a fully managed delivery experience for your auction purchases. Each shipment is handled with expert care from pickup to delivery and includes door-to-door coverage for added peace of mind. You can select your shipping option during checkout and easily track your item through your Invaluable account or via your invoice.
Note: In order to use Invaluable Shipping, the auction house with whom you are bidding must be offering it as a shipping method in their Auction Terms, and each item sold on the platform must meet the criteria for eligibility. If your won items are eligible for Invaluable Shipping, you will see the shipping method listed on your invoice.
Invaluable Shipping may not be available for every item sold on Invaluable, dependent on eligibility and the types of shipping options offered by the auction house. It is always best to reference the auction house’s terms and conditions prior to bidding to see what options will be available to you at checkout.
If you receive an invoice that does not include Invaluable Shipping as a shipping method, this means that either the items you won are ineligible for our services, or the auction house does not utilize Invaluable Shipping. In this case, we would recommend contacting the auction house directly for more information about arranging your shipment or local pickup, as Invaluable Customer Care would not be able to assist further.
Invaluable Shipping currently provides two primary shipping services:
- Parcel: Items will be expertly, custom-packed with premium packaging and shipped with well-known carriers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
- White Glove: Items receive special attention, with specialized transportation shuttles, air freight, and armored transportation, when appropriate. Meant for fragile and high value artwork and antiques.
Both include full door-to-door shipping protection.
Please note that different lots will be eligible for different shipping tiers, so it’s always best to reference the options available on your invoice.
Depending on the auction house, the shipping cost will cover some combination of:
- Premium & custom packaging to ensure safe delivery
- Vetted logistics partners familiar with fine art and collectibles
- Delivery by well known carriers (UPS, FedEx, etc.), as well as specialized transport for specialty items
- End-to-end shipment protection
- Real-time tracking
In some cases, the auction houses may add additional shipping fees separately.
International fees levied at customs are not included in the cost, and you will need to pay for those when your items reach customs.
When you book a shipment through Invaluable Shipping and pay your invoice, your credit card or bank statement will show these two separate charges:
- Invaluable Shipping
- All other charges on the invoice
This is because the main invoice is being paid to the auction house, while the Invaluable Shipping cost is paid to Invaluable.
Otherwise, if you’re paying an invoice without booking Invaluable Shipping, you will only see one charge for the entirety of the invoice.
No, you are not required to use Invaluable Shipping. While it offers a convenient option, you can arrange for local pick-up or choose an alternative shipping method with the auction house.
No matter where you are, Invaluable Shipping is likely able to deliver to you. Our standard Parcel service offers extensive global shipping coverage through our network of carriers. *
For our White Glove service, which utilizes experienced handlers and a specialized shipping network, we can ship to the US, EU, and major cities around the world.
*Please note that due to sanctions and accessibility concerns, the following countries are excluded from our delivery services:
| Antarctica |
Marshall Islands |
Sao Tome and Principe |
| Bouvet Island |
Mayotte |
Somalia |
| Christmas Island |
Micronesia, Federated States of |
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands |
| Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
Nauru |
South Sudan |
| Comoros |
Netherlands Antilles |
Sudan |
| Congo |
Niue |
Svalbard and Jan Mayen |
| Congo, the Democratic Republic of the |
Norfolk Island |
Syrian Arab Republic |
| Cuba |
Syria |
Russia |
| Falkland Islands (Malvinas) |
Northern Mariana Islands |
Tokelau |
| Faroe Islands |
Palau |
Tuvalu |
| Iran |
Pitcairn |
Ukraine |
| Iraq |
Réunion |
Vanuatu |
| Kiribati |
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha |
Wallis and Futuna |
| Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon |
Zimbabwe |
If you have already received a shipping confirmation, please reference your tracking for the most accurate estimated delivery.
Shipping times depend on various factors, including the type of transportation selected, the type(s) of items being shipped, and your distance from the auction house. Our estimated delivery time for US originating shipments from item pick-up are:
| Quote Type |
Domestic |
International |
| Parcel |
6-8 days |
10-12 days |
| White Glove* |
15-20 days |
15-20 days |
*Only for lots that need specialized shuttle or freight handling due to lot value or size.
Note: Timelines shown
- are in business days
- reflect the expected time like after collection from the auction house
- are based on averages; remote locations may take longer
- do not take into account weather or other delays beyond the shipper’s control
- are not guaranteed
You may contact an Invaluable Shipping representative by emailing shipping@invaluable.com with the following information:
* Shipping reference code (INV-XXXXXX) and/or Invoice number
* Date range you will be available to receive the shipment
We will share your delivery preference with our partnered carriers. Although we will do our best to accommodate your request, we cannot guarantee delivery on a specific date, as carriers may have different procedures.
If you have already booked your shipment through Invaluable Shipping, you may contact a shipping representative by emailing shipping@invaluable.com. Please provide your invoice number and shipping reference number so that we can best assist you.
If you are curious about tracking or the status of your shipment, you can reference real-time tracking details by logging into your account and locating the shipment in your Purchases page.
Otherwise, if you have questions about the condition of the lot(s) or any other details regarding your purchase, please contact the auction house directly.
You may contact a Invaluable Shipping representative by emailing shipping@invaluable.com. Please provide your shipping reference code (INV-XXXXXX) or the invoice number with your request.
Please be aware that once a shipment has been collected from the auction house, is in transit to you, or has been delivered, it is non-refundable and non-cancelable. This will be reflected in your shipment tracking status as either “Collected”, “In Transit”, or “Completed”, respectively. Shipments that have not been picked up from the Auction House may be eligible for cancellation.
Invaluable Shipping payments are non-refundable if the shipment has already been collected from the auction house, is in transit to you, or has been delivered. This will be reflected in your shipment tracking status as “Collected”, “In Transit”, or “Completed”, respectively.
For Invaluable Shipping shipments that have not been collected, either in “Pending” or “Confirmed” tracking status, we may be able to process a cancellation up until your items are picked up from the auction house. If cancellation is needed, please see ‘Who should I contact if I need to cancel my Invaluable Shipping order?’ for full details.
With Invaluable Shipping Shipment Protection, your items are under full risk policy coverage from pick up at the auction house to delivery.
Shipment Protection provides coverage for damage during shipping and total loss. In transit coverage includes, but is not limited to: scratches, indentations, punctures, tears, pigment loss, water stains, cracks, and/or shattered materials. Conditions will be compared to lot release documentation. Loss or non-delivery are considered total loss.
Shipping Protection coverage does not apply in the following circumstances:
- Pre-existing Conditions: Items with pre-existing damage or instability are not covered. A condition assessment may be conducted at release, including photographs or written descriptions, which may require unpacking the item.
- Modifications Requested by Shipper: Any handling changes such as removing items from frames, rolling for tube shipment, folding stretchers, or altering mounting may void coverage.
- Rerouted Shipments: Shipments redirected to alternative pickup points (e.g., postal offices, third-party pickup locations) are not covered for loss or damage.
- Unstable Objects: Coverage excludes items with material or structural conditions that make them unsuitable for transport. Examples include loose joints, flaking paint or finishes, improperly mounted prints, and other fragile components.
- Delayed or Held Shipments (Customer-Initiated): Fees or losses resulting from shipment delays, storage, or customs issues caused by customer actions (e.g., non-payment of duties) are not covered.
- Duties and Taxes: Duties or taxes paid to customs are not covered. Documentation regarding the shipment and any loss can be provided to support customs inquiries or claims.
- Theft or Loss After Delivery: All shipments covered by Shipping Protection require a signature upon delivery. If a valid signature is not obtained and loss occurs, the shipment is treated as non-delivered. If a signature was waived or a prior authorization is on file with the carrier, loss or theft after delivery is not covered. Customers must fully cooperate in any claims investigation.
Shipping Protection does not cover loss or damage resulting from:
- Natural aging or gradual wear (e.g., fading, cracking, rust, vermin, shrinkage, warping).
- Acts of war, terrorism, or natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or other force majeure events).
- Government actions, including confiscation, nationalization, seizure, or destruction of the item by any public or legal authority.
If you received your items and something is missing, damaged, or not as expected, contact the auction house immediately. Each auction house has their own policies for resolving issues, so they will be able to work with you to determine the appropriate next steps.
Otherwise, please contact shipping@invaluable.com for assistance filing a claim for damage or loss relating ONLY to items shipped via Invaluable Shipping.
Best practices regarding claims:
- Claims should be filed within seven (7) days of delivery – claims submitted after this time are subject to review
- Do not discard the item(s) or packaging until resolution is reached
- Our providers reserve the right to decline a claim based on the Shipment Protection terms, conditions, and exclusions
- Claims can take 4 to 8 weeks to resolve
If you are utilizing an auction house shipper, please contact the auction house and/or shipper for details.
If you have selected Invaluable Shipping, a customs agent will contact you if action or payment is needed. We will provide the phone number associated with the invoice that you paid for the shipment.
This phone number should be the best phone number to reach you and be local to the country where you are receiving the package. If either is inaccurate, please contact shipping@invaluble.com to update to avoid issues in delivery.
If you are utilizing an auction house shipper, please contact the auction house and/or shipper for details.
If you have selected Invaluable Shipping, a customs agent will contact you if action or payment is needed. We will provide the phone number associated with the invoice that you paid for the shipment.
This phone number should be the best phone number to reach you and be local to the country where you are receiving the package. If either is inaccurate, please contact shipping@invaluble.com to update to avoid issues in delivery.
Requirements will vary by country. In most cases, you will be required to provide a Tax ID and payment for applicable duties and taxes. Some countries may ask you to complete specific paperwork about the shipment.
Missing paperwork or unpaid duties and taxes are some of the most common reasons for delays in shipping. If left unresolved, you risk the packages being returned to the sender.
For shipments sent through Invaluable Shipping, we will work with the auction house to get the lot details of your won items to customs. Required information typically includes:
For shipments sent through an auction house or shipping service, please contact them directly on their process.