How Shipping Works on Cohart

What is this feature?

Cohart allows sellers to choose how their artworks are delivered after a sale. Depending on the situation, you can ship through Cohart, arrange shipping yourself, coordinate a pickup, or issue an invoice without shipping arranged through the platform.

This flexibility allows artists, studios, and galleries to manage fulfillment in the way that best fits their workflow.

Shipping Options

When listing an artwork, you can choose one of the following fulfillment methods:

Ship by Cohart

When Ship by Cohart is selected, Cohart helps coordinate the shipping process from label creation through delivery and applies a flat fee to the checkout. To learn more about how shipping fees are calculated, visit How Shipping is Calculated at Cohart.

Once an order is placed:

Cohart generates a prepaid shipping label
Our team works with you to confirm package dimensions and weight
We provide packing guidance to ensure safe transit
You receive instructions for carrier pickup or drop-off
Cohart manages buyer communication related to shipping
The shipment is insured while in transit

Shipping carriers calculate shipping costs based on the final package dimensions and weight, not just the artwork size. Packaging materials and protection may affect the final shipment classification.

If you plan to use Ship by Cohart, be prepared to provide:

Final package dimensions (after packing)
Estimated package weight
Return address (studio, gallery, or home)

Our logistics team will request this information once a sale is placed in order to generate the shipping label. Just to note:

Final delivery timelines depend on the carrier
Cohart is not liable for damage due to incorrect packaging
In case of buyer disputes, we’ll assist based on tracking and packaging documentation

Important (International Shipments):
Checkout totals do not include customs duties, import taxes, or local fees for international shipments. These may be collected by the carrier upon delivery and are the buyer’s responsibility. Additional charges are not assigned until the package has cleared customs in the local destination and therefore cannot be estimated in advance.

Pickup / Ship by Seller

This option is used when the seller prefers to handle fulfillment directly.

Pickup

If the buyer will collect the artwork in person:

The buyer and seller coordinate pickup directly
Cohart processes the payment but does not supervise the exchange

We recommend confirming the artwork’s condition during handover.

Ship by Seller

If you plan to ship the artwork yourself:

You may include a shipping fee at checkout
You are responsible for packing, shipping labels, and tracking
You manage communication with the buyer about delivery
Cohart does not arrange shipping or provide transit insurance

This option is useful when sellers prefer to use their own shipping carriers or logistics partners.

Invoice Only (No Shipping Arranged)

This option is used when the transaction does not involve shipping through Cohart.

Common use cases include:

Commission deposits
Custom artwork payments
Framing or service fees
Shipping billed separately
Off-platform delivery arrangements

Cohart processes the payment, but shipping and delivery are coordinated directly between the buyer and seller.

Buyer Protections

Cohart provides buyers with a 48-hour return window after delivery.

Buyers may return an artwork for any reason within this period.

The buyer is responsible for return shipping costs
Refunds are issued 5–7 days after Cohart receives the returned artwork

Shipping at Fairs or In-Person Events

At most fairs, buyers typically take their artwork with them. However, a buyer may occasionally request shipping instead, if the piece is oversized or the buyer doesn’t live locally. When selling artwork at a fair, the final shipping cost is often unknown until the piece is packed. A common workflow is to process the sale first and finalize shipping after the artwork is packed and measured.

For in-person fair sales: Use Ship by Seller - you can invoice later once you know the ship costs. Some fairs also offer on-site shipping services, which can be a convenient option if available.
For online or studio sales: Use Ship by Cohart only for online or studio sales where dimensions are known and there is enough time for label coordination (up to ~7 business days).

Best Practices

1. Set expectations with the buyer
Let the buyer know the artwork will ship after the fair and provide a general timeline (for example: “I’ll ship within one week after the fair.”).

2. Estimate shipping if needed
If you have a good sense of shipping costs, you can add a shipping fee as a custom line item during checkout.

If the cost is uncertain, you can:

Send a separate shipping invoice once the artwork is packed and measured
Provide a rough estimate if the buyer prefers to pay a portion on-site
Add a small placeholder fee (ex. ~5%) and adjust later if needed

Important: If shipping ends up costing more than the estimate, the seller may be responsible for the difference so be sure that you are on the same page with your buyer.

3. Complete the sale using “Ship by Seller”
Process the transaction through Cohart POS and select Ship by Seller.
Ask the buyer to include their shipping address and let them know you’ll confirm shipping costs after packing.

4. Pack the artwork after the fair
Securely pack the piece so you can measure the final package dimensions and weight.

5. Purchase the shipping label
Bring the packed artwork to a carrier (FedEx, UPS, DHL) or use the fair’s shipping service.
You will need:

Final package size and weight
Buyer shipping address
Seller return address

6. Send the shipping invoice
If shipping wasn’t collected at checkout, create a new invoice in Cohart and add shipping as a custom line item.

Large or crated artworks can sometimes cost $2,000+ to ship, so avoid committing to an exact price until the final packaging details are confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I package my artwork? We recommend using:

Thick cardboard boxes
Corner protectors
Bubble wrap or foam padding
Reinforced edges for framed works

For detailed guidance, see our guide: How to Ship A Sold Artwork.

What does the shipping fee "Ship by Cohart" collected at checkout cover? Shipping fees help cover transportation and logistics coordination. They do not include packing labor, materials, or on-site shipping services. The shipping fee collected at checkout is calculated by Cohart to help simplify the sales process and avoid back-and-forth quoting with buyers.

To learn how shipping fees are calculated, see: How Shipping is Calculated at Cohart.

Are customs fees included at checkout for international shipments?
No. Customs duties, taxes, and import fees are not included and may be collected by the carrier upon delivery.

What happens after a sale has been made? Congrats! Visit What Happens After I Have Made a Sale to learn more.