What Happens After You Click Buy: Shipping, Customs and the Person Behind Your Parcel
Most of what we do happens where you can't see it. You see a painting, you fall for it, you click buy. A week or so later, it's on your wall. In between, there's a whole little world of bubble wrap, paperwork, couriers and customs offices.
We want to show you that world, for two reasons. The first is that buying art from another country can feel like a leap, especially if you've had a surprise bill at the door before. The second is simpler: we want you to know there are real people behind every parcel. I choose every piece myself, and from the moment it's yours, we look after it until it's safely on your wall.
A note on dates: This article was written in October 2026 and reflects shipping and customs rules as we understand them at that time. Rules change, so if you're reading this later, please check the date it was last reviewed below, or simply email us and we'll tell you how things work today.
From our studio to your wall
Here's what happens after you click buy.
We check the painting one last time. Before anything is wrapped, we look it over again: the frame, the canvas, the hanging wire. If we notice anything that wasn't mentioned in the listing, we write to you before it ships.
We pack it as if it were going to our own home. Packing and shipping artwork in-house for over four years has taught us to be meticulous about every detail. Each piece is handled by us and packed using recyclable materials, with plenty of care and attention to make sure it’s properly protected for the journey. Our job is to make sure it arrives safely and ready for its next chapter.
We prepare the paperwork. This is the part nobody sees. For parcels leaving the EU, every painting needs the right description, value and customs details so it can cross the border smoothly.
It's on its way within five business days — often sooner. You get a tracking link so you can follow it the whole way.
We keep an eye on it. We watch every parcel until it arrives. If one stops moving or a courier needs something, we usually know before you do.
When things don't go to plan
We'd love to tell you every parcel glides from Sweden to your door. Most do. But we'd rather be honest: sometimes a courier or a customs office asks for more information, and sometimes that lands in your inbox instead of ours.
We're telling you this because it's normal, it's fixable, and you never have to sort it out alone. If something like this happens to you, you don't need to understand customs forms or spend an afternoon on hold. Forward the message to us, and we'll take it from there.
Your questions, answered
If you live in the UK
Will I have to pay anything when my painting arrives? No. For UK orders, VAT and import fees are included in the price you pay at checkout. There's nothing more to pay on delivery.
UPS (or another courier) has contacted me about customs. Is it real? Sometimes UK customs needs one more detail before releasing a parcel, and the courier asks you rather than us. If you get a message like this about your painting, don't pay anything and don't worry. Forward it to us at hello@vintageworks.se and we'll deal with it.
How do I know a message isn't a scam? A real message will match the tracking number we sent you. If in doubt, don't click any links. Just send it to us and we'll tell you whether it's genuine.
If you live in the EU
Is there customs on a painting from Sweden? No. Sweden is in the EU, so your painting travels within the EU with no customs checks. VAT is included in your price.
How long does delivery take? Once your order has been dispatched, delivery typically takes around three business days to Denmark and Germany, and 5–6 business days to most other EU countries. Please keep in mind that delivery times can be a little longer around holidays and during particularly busy periods.
Outside the EU and UK
Will I pay import duty on a painting?
We ship worldwide and take care of the paperwork on our end. As every country has its own import rules, any local import taxes, duties or fees are the responsibility of the buyer.
Please check your local customs rules before purchasing so you know what to expect. If you’re unsure, just ask us. We can often point you in the right direction, but the final responsibility for any local charges rests with the buyer.
Our promise to you
I choose every painting we sell myself, and each one is checked and packed with care before it leaves us. The same care goes into what happens after it's on its way. If a courier, a customs office or anyone else asks you for something, you can send it straight to us. We'll answer, we'll sort it out, and we won't leave you wondering.
That's the part of the job you'll hopefully never notice. But it's there, every time.
Heidi, founder of Vintage Works
Have a question about shipping to your country? Write to us at hello@vintageworks.se.
Featured collection
-
Regular price6,500 SEKRegular priceSale price6,500 SEK Save -6,500 SEK (%)Unit priceper
"Bottles"- Osvald Larsson
-
Regular price3,800 SEKRegular priceSale price3,800 SEK Save -3,800 SEK (%)Unit priceper
"Figurer i en gryning"
-
Regular price6,500 SEKRegular priceSale price6,500 SEK Save -6,500 SEK (%)Unit priceper
"Från Frankrike"
-
Regular price3,500 SEKRegular priceSale price3,500 SEK Save -3,500 SEK (%)Unit priceper
"Från Luxemburgträdgården"
-
Regular price2,600 SEKRegular price
4,200 SEKSale price2,600 SEK Save 1,600 SEK (38%)Unit priceper"Kväll Grevie"
-
Regular price5,200 SEKRegular priceSale price5,200 SEK Save -5,200 SEK (%)Unit priceper
"Motiv från Glumslöv"
