OUR SERVICES
Customs
Complete your customs declarations and enable secure, certified trade thanks to your Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status.
Group ESI, as a customs broker and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), facilitates all your import-export procedures thanks to simplified customs declarations.
The transport of works of art and international removals require meticulous customs formalities to ensure compliant and secure customs clearance.
With its expertise and AEO accreditation, Group ESI offers comprehensive management of customs formalities, whether for exports, temporary or permanent imports, Community transit, or temporary storage under customs control.
Complete management of customs formalities for your international transport and storage operations
Whether it’s permanent or temporary exports and imports, customs transit, or bonded warehousing, we can handle all your international customs procedures.
When your goods are shipped, we take care of all export formalities:
- Temporary or permanent export declaration
- ATA Carnet
- Transit
- Certification (certificate of origin, CITES, declaration of cultural property)
Upon arrival in the destination country, our subsidiaries or selected agents are also authorized to carry out all import formalities:
- Temporary admission
- Final customs clearance
- Re-exportation
- ATA Carnet
within the framework of the regulations in force in their country.
In terms of international transport, ESI is also a freight forwarder and IATA-certified agent.
Customs formalities for international moves and moves from abroad to France
Customs formalities for international moves and moves from abroad to France are very important to ensure that logistics comply with customs regulations. Customs authorities help protect cultural heritage by checking the documents required for the movement of goods of historical, artistic, archaeological, aesthetic, scientific, or technical value.
Therefore, for international moves, it is necessary to prepare a number of documents, such as a temporary or permanent export declaration, depending on the length of time the goods will remain abroad. Certificates of origin (purchase, etc.) may also be required.
For moves from abroad to France, customs formalities include, among other things, the import declaration, the presentation of documents such as the commercial invoice proving the origin of the items being moved, the certificate of residence, and a detailed list of goods. Whether you are moving from France or to France, customs authorities may inspect the goods to verify that they match the descriptions provided.
When you move abroad or return from abroad, working with a specialized company such as Group ESI will help you ensure that all the necessary formalities are taken care of, making the relocation process easier.
Bonded storage during a move: customs clearance process, bonded release, and warehousing
Group ESI offers bonded storage services, particularly for people moving before or after an expatriation. Using a storage facility can be a practical solution for temporarily storing personal belongings while customs formalities are being finalized. This type of secure storage allows personal effects to be kept until they comply with customs regulations, thus facilitating their release into free circulation within the territory. It is particularly useful for personal or professional goods requiring formal entry into the customs territory (historical, artistic, archaeological, aesthetic, scientific, or technical goods).
At Group ESI, our bonded warehouses are equipped to handle a wide variety of goods, whether they are sensitive, fragile, or high-value items (such as works of art).
Customs formalities for transporting a work of art by Group ESI
When transferring works of art, whether for a temporary exhibition, a sale between collectors, or a purchase between gallery owners, customs formalities must be completed in accordance with the standards in force in the countries concerned to ensure the legality and protection of these cultural goods.
As a specialized freight forwarder, Group ESI assists museums, private collectors, art dealers, and art galleries in managing these complex customs procedures, thereby ensuring the compliant and secure transport of their works of art.
Cases of temporary export and import for an exhibition
When a work of art is transported for a temporary exhibition from one museum to another, it is generally considered a temporary import or export. In this case, Group ESI organizes an ATA (Admission Temporaire Admission) carnet.
This administrative document is an international customs document that allows the work to be transported temporarily without paying customs duties or taxes, provided that it is re-exported within a specified period. This document simplifies transit by guaranteeing customs authorities that the work will be returned to its country of origin once the exhibition is over.
Formalities when buying or selling exceptional items: antique furniture, art paintings, sculptures, etc.
For transactions involving exceptional items between collectors, art dealers, or gallery owners, the formalities differ depending on whether it is a domestic or international sale. Group ESI verifies the tariff classification of the works. This classification determines the applicable customs duties and taxes.
In the case of permanent importation, works of art may benefit from special customs procedures that provide for a reduction or exemption from customs duties for goods of cultural or historical interest in certain countries.
Several countries have introduced special customs regimes to encourage the importation of works of art with cultural or historical value. For example, in EU member states, imported works of art are often subject to a reduced VAT rate (or exempt in some cases) if they are recognized as cultural or historical assets of significance. The VAT rate for importing works of art depends on each member country. In the United States, importing for temporary exhibitions is also facilitated under certain conditions. Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Canada also offer simplified regimes. These specific regimes depend on the laws of each country and are often associated with specific procedures, such as obtaining authorizations or presenting certificates of authenticity and provenance.
Group ESI takes care of all the required forms and certificates of authenticity, guaranteeing the legality of the import or export.
Managing compliance and security for works of art during import and export
As objects of great value, works of art are subject to rigorous security and compliance requirements, which Group ESI takes particular care to ensure are met. Our expert customs teams work to ensure that all necessary authorizations are obtained (export licenses for works classified as national heritage or subject to restrictions on leaving the country, etc.).
In the case of international transport, additional checks, such as certificates of origin and proof of legitimate ownership, are required to prevent trafficking in works of art (theft, illegal ownership, etc.).
Thanks to its expertise, whether for moves anywhere in the world, from abroad to France, or for the logistics of works of art, Group ESI facilitates the complex customs process. By taking care of all documentation, security, and compliance procedures, our teams ensure that your goods and works of art are transported in compliance with international customs regulations.
Why choose Group ESI?
40 years of experience
in sensitive logistics
Responsiveness and expertise
international
Safety and traceability
guarantees
Personalized and responsive support
at every stage
Our bespoke
services
Our teams offer logistics solutions tailored to your requirements, using proven equipment and methods.
Transport d’œuvres d’art
(national et international)
Assurer le convoyage sécurisé d’œuvres et d’objets précieux, de la prise en charge à la livraison, dans le respect des contraintes de conservation, de manipulation et de confidentialité.
Montage et installation
(salons, musées, institutions)
Mettre parfaitement en place tous les éléments constituant une exposition, préparer l’espace, installer une scénographie, placer des mobiliers haut de gamme.
Transfert et déménagement d’entreprises
Organiser et réaliser le transfert complet de bureaux, ateliers ou sièges sociaux, en assurant la continuité d’activité, la protection du matériel et une coordination logistique maîtrisée
Stockage sécurisé
(court et long terme)
Conserver vos biens dans un lieu parfaitement sûr et adapté.
Emballage et caisserie sur mesure
Protéger vos biens, conditionner tous types d’objets, des techniques éprouvées par ESI depuis plus de 100 ans.
Déménagements techniques et internationaux
Acheminer vos marchandises dans les meilleures conditions de sécurité et dans le respect de vos délais.
Manutention spécialisée
(œuvres, objets fragiles, équipements)
Manipuler, déplacer, lever, transférer, transborder, autant d’actions qui nécessitent une expertise pour garantir la sécurité de vos marchandises tout au long de la chaine logistique.
Garde-meuble / entrepôt sécurisé
Mettre à disposition des espaces de stockage sécurisés, assurant la protection et la conservation des biens.
Formalités douanières
(ATA, transit, carnet TIR)
Réaliser vos déclarations douanières, permettre des échanges sûrs et certifiés grâce au statut d’Opérateur Economique Agréé (AEO)