Best movers and packers for artwork

All Covered. No Hassle. Low-cost movers and packers expert in the UAE — book now!

9.3 · 33 reviews

What are you moving?

• Item

  — furniture, electronics, antique, box etc.
  • — Furniture

    sofa, table, bed, bookcase, chest, drawer etc.
  • — Item

    packed item, electronics, antique, box etc.
• Move

  — home move, office move
  • — Home
  • — Office
• Piano

  — grand piano, upright piano, digital piano etc.
• Other

  — construction material etc.

Get Prices

Maybe it was a sweeping desert landscape you picked up during an art fair in Alserkal, a delicate watercolour from a gallery in Jumeirah, or a sculpture passed down through your family. Whatever the story, your art isn’t just décor. It carries so much more, from sentimental value and memories to an investment collection built up over a lifetime.

Now you’re moving, and the thought of handing those pieces to a truck driver or shipping across the Emirates can feel nerve-wracking. Will they survive the trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, or even just the journey across town through Bur Dubai’s notorious traffic?

This is your stress-free guide to moving artwork in the UAE, covering everything from prepping and packing to how professional movers care for artwork during transit, and finally, unpacking it safely in its new space.

• Prepping your art for the move
• Packing art like an expert
• Consider the UAE climate and conditions
• When to call in the professionals
• Unpacking with care
• Move your art with confidence

Step 1: Prepping your art for the move

Take high-resolution photos before the move

Snap a crisp photo of each piece before the move. That desert skyline painting or family portrait will be recorded exactly how it looks now. This is your insurance “before” record and peace of mind rolled into one.

Confirm your insurance covers art in transit

Standard home or property insurance often excludes fine art or requires special “in transit” or “fine art” cover. Review your policy (or get a specialist rider) now to avoid surprises later.

Prepare your own packing materials (if desired)

If you prefer certain wrapping styles or want to supply materials for your Kandinsky or Emirati calligraphy piece, collect these in advance:

• Bubble wrap or soft blankets.
• Acid-free tissue or glassine paper for paintings.
• Corner protectors for frames.
• Strong boxes or wooden crates.
• Clear labels marked “Fragile – Artwork”.

Prefer to skip this part? A UAE professional mover and packer will usually bring all the necessary materials on the day.

Step 2: Packing art like an expert

A common rookie mistake when moving art is wrapping it too tightly or letting pieces press against each other. Imagine your canvas brushing against another painting; you’ll get instant scratches on the paint. Professionals use tested techniques to keep everything stable and cushioned.

• Wrap each piece separately so nothing rubs or scratches.
• Cover painted surfaces in glassine or acid-free paper and never use direct bubble wrap.
• Reinforce corners with protectors or folded cardboard.
• Cushion frames with blankets, load them upright in sturdy crates.
• For inter-emirate or long-distance moves, double-box fragile pieces to dampen vibration.

Even a smooth highway trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi includes bumps you can’t see (or avoid).

Step 3: Consider the UAE climate and conditions

It’s not just the move that matters. It's what the environment does to your art in transit.

• Avoid open trailers in summer as the UAE’s extreme heat and sun can warp canvases within hours.
• The humid coastal air of Dubai or Sharjah can affect wood frames and paper; sealed packaging and humidity control help.
• Sand, dust, and arid inland stretches (e.g., moving toward Al Ain) require durable sealing and extra wrapping.
• Local art movers familiar with routes in the UAE (sheikh roads, desert links) know how to mitigate jolts, heat shifts, and dusty air.

Step 4: When to call in the professionals

Some pieces are too valuable to risk with amateur handling. That’s when you engage specialist services:

• Custom crates made for oversized canvases or sculptures.
• Climate-controlled vehicles for long transit.
• Trained movers and packers who avoid stacking sculptures under heavy crates

When you book via Wise Move , specify “fine art / fragile artwork” to get quotes only from moving teams experienced in art logistics.

Step 5: Unpacking with care

• Let your art acclimate to the new space before unwrapping fully. Shifts in temperature or humidity, say from Dubai’s heat to an air-conditioned interior, can stress materials.
• Hang or place pieces in cool, dry spots away from direct sunlight.
• Compare each artwork against the original photos immediately, so any damage can be flagged.

Move your art with confidence

Moving artwork in the UAE demands more than throwing it into the boot and bubble wrap. It requires planning, climate sensitivity, and logistical expertise. Protect your masterpieces, whether it’s a Dubai art fair find, a family heirloom, or a Sharjah gallery showpiece, and preserve your peace of mind.

With Wise Move’s moving services, you can find moving teams that specialise in handling fragile, valuable items. Submit your job once, get multiple reliable quotes, and choose a professional mover and packer who will treat your collection with the reverence it deserves.

Best movers and packers for artwork

All Covered. No Hassle. Low-cost movers and packers expert in the UAE — book now!

9.3 · 33 reviews

What are you moving?

• Item

  — furniture, electronics, antique, box etc.
  • — Furniture

    sofa, table, bed, bookcase, chest, drawer etc.
  • — Item

    packed item, electronics, antique, box etc.
• Move

  — home move, office move
  • — Home
  • — Office
• Piano

  — grand piano, upright piano, digital piano etc.
• Other

  — construction material etc.

Get Prices