Getting my artwork into the UK

Hello everybody -- I am a new member of UKY and am very glad to have found it. I have spent most of the past sixteen hours reading and gleaning much valuable information from this site. I have many questions about moving to the UK that have already been answered, but I probably don't need to go on and on to you guys about how great this site is.

I am a visual artist and a dual national of the UK and the USA. I was born in the states and have spent more than half my life there, and have previously only been to the UK and Ireland as a visitor. To make a long story short, after a trip to the UK a few years ago, I knew I had to live there. I didn't realise that I was a British citizen until I talked to the British Embassy (my father was born in Nottingham, but as he emigrated with his family to Oz at an early age, and then went to the US and naturalised, he thought he'd lost his UK citizenship long ago by default. Happily for me, that was not the case!). It took me three years to "get my papers in order," but now I have a UK Passport and the will to use it. Right now we are getting into the final stages of the visa for my lovely wife and PETS Scheme for my kitties.

So my big first question for you UK-Yankee old-salts is one regarding shipping and customs.

I paint rather large-scale oil paintings on canvas. I have a very large collection of my paintings dating back as far as 15 years. For the most part, I would like to take my paintings off of the stretchers and roll them up, bringing the smaller of them with me during a flight and shipping the others.

My question is, since these paintings are ostensibly of value and might be regarded as a "commodity," will I be able to bring them in as personal possessions and not pay a customs duty -- or will I have to go through them all with a Customs agent, determine an overall value, and pay a percentage?

As they are all technically "for sale," will I be snagged at customs? Does anybody have experience with this sort of thing?

If I'd have to pay a high fee to get them in, I would almost prefer to leave them here with a few trusted friends and simply create a new body of work in England...

If anyone has any insights into this, or even just general experience with being a foreign artist in the UK, I would love to hear it!

Also, has anyone shipped their possessions by sea? I live in a port city and intend to move to a port city (Bristol), so I thought this might be a cheap option...

Thanks to all of you... --- Jim Fat

Lots of folks have shipped stuff by sea so I expect you will get replies on this quite easily.

As for the art. I'd think you could take some on the plane without too much effort. Espcially if they are dated and you tell them they are for your house. You might consider contacting other US artists in the UK. Not sure how you'd find them, but I'm sure they are out there. They might have some info for you. You can also just call UK Customs and Excise and tell them your scenario. I think if they are  older than 1 year and you don't tell them they are for sale, you would be OK but don't hold me to that. One of the ways you should be OK is that you'd have to prove some value in order for them to charge you tax and customs. Now you may know your market value, but will they - is it easily obtainable?

Hope this helps somewhat!

I am a visual artist and a dual national of the UK and the USA.

sorry can't asnwer any of your specific questions but just wanted to say you LUCKY devil!