Payment and shipping
Congratulations on your winning bid! Your next step is to pay for your item and choose your preferred shipping or collection method. If you have any questions, our Post-Sale Services team are here to help.
Paying for your item
Your invoice
After the auction, you’ll receive an email from your Post-Sale Lead with your invoice and shipping options. The invoice will set out the hammer price plus other applicable charges, such as buyer’s premium and taxes. In certain locations, Christie’s is also required to collect a resale royalty (‘droit de suite’).
You can also view your invoice in your account within 48 hours of the auction closing. Sign in to your account, select ‘Buying’, then ‘Ready for checkout’.
Online checkout
Go to ‘Ready for checkout’ in your account to pay for orders up to US$300,000 (US auctions) / US$100,000 (Dubai auctions) / £100,000 / €100,000 / HK$1,000,000 / CHF 100,000. We accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as PayPal and pay by bank. For New York auctions, there is a 2.5% administration fee for credit card transactions.
For lots over this amount or other payment options, including bank transfer, check the back of your invoice.
For live auctions, payment is due within seven days of the auction. For online auctions, payment is due immediately.
Christie’s does not accept third-party payments from an individual or organisation that is not the winning bidder, so make sure you are paying from a bank account registered to the same name as your account.
Shipping
You can ship your item through Christie’s approved shippers or your own carrier. In some cases, a shipping quote will automatically be available to view during online checkout. However, the sheer variety in size, shape and material of the items we sell means that often a bespoke shipping quote is needed. If so, your Post-Sale Lead can provide this.
If you proceed with the shipping quote available at online checkout, items are usually delivered within 7–14 business days of payment clearance.
Sales tax
If you arrange shipping through Christie’s, sales tax will be determined by the final destination address. For international shipments, applicable duties and taxes are set by the local government and paid directly to customs.
Please see the Collection section below for information on sales tax implications if you use your own shipper.
Export and CITES licenses
If you intend to export your purchase, you may also require an export and/or CITES permit (this will be noted on your invoice).
Sustainable shipping options
Christie’s is proud to offer sustainable shipping options. Among these are quotes utilising recyclable, lightweight crates and a consolidated sea freight shipping option from New York to Hong Kong. Contact your Post-Sale Lead to learn more.
Terms and conditions for shipping
Collection
If you’d prefer to collect your purchase in person or authorise a third-party shipper or agent to collect it on your behalf, contact your Post-Sale Lead at least 48 hours in advance and they will help to organise the release.
Specified lots marked with a filled square (■) in the catalogue are transferred from our salerooms to an offsite storage facility. In London and Hong Kong, these lots are usually available for collection from 12pm on the second business day following the auction. In New York, lots are usually available for collection on the third business day following the auction. Local taxes may apply on your purchase.
New York City sales tax
When purchasing in New York, if you arrange for your own agent or shipper to collect your purchase, New York City sales tax will be due prior to release of the item regardless of the ultimate delivery location. An invoice inclusive of applicable tax can be provided when you select this option during online checkout or by your Post-Sale Lead.
Wine collections
Christie’s is unable to arrange shipping for wine purchases, but can provide you with a contact for a preferred third-party shipper. For all wine released in New York (to you, the buyer, or to your agent or third-party shipper), New York City sales tax will be due on the purchase prior to release. Should you plan to ship to Hong Kong, ask your Post-Sale Lead about our consolidated shipments, available semi-annually from New York and London.
Storage
We're happy to offer complimentary storage for 90 days after the auction. If your property remains in our warehouses past this deadline, you will be responsible for monthly storage charges and any applicable local taxes.
Outlined below are each region's associated charges. Kindly note, tax may be applicable on storage charges.
Monthly storage charge per lot:
Months 0–3: Complimentary
Months 4–6: £200 / US$250 / HK$2,000 / €200 / CHF 200 / RMB 2000
Months 7+: £400 / US$500 / HK$4,000 / €400 / CHF 400 / RMB 4000
*Storage charges for oversized and high-value artworks, based on weight, dimensions and/or their values, may be subject to bespoke quotes.
**Wine storage charges vary by region. Please contact your Post-Sale Lead to learn more about the length of complimentary storage and long-term storage charges.
For further information regarding Christie’s storage conditions, use the links below. Please contact your Post-Sale Lead prior to collecting property to confirm lot location, schedule collection, arrange shipping and to settle any outstanding charges.
Storage conditions:
New York | London | Hong Kong | Shanghai | Paris (EN) | Paris (FR)