Customs Tracking Timeline

Track customs activity directly on artwork records with a timeline view for entry numbers, dates, types, and notes.

Written by Kalila Richards
January 29, 2026

What is the Customs Tracking Timeline?

The Customs Tracking Timeline lives in the Location/Condition tab of an artwork record. It mirrors the familiar Location History pattern but is dedicated specifically to customs activity.

You can use it to document customs-related milestones such as export, import, clearance, or holds, along with reference numbers and notes.

What you can track

Each customs entry can include:

• Customs Type
  Select from a dropdown or create new types as needed
• Entry Number
  Useful for official customs or shipment reference numbers
• Date
  Automatically logged, editable if needed
• Notes (optional)
  Add context, instructions, or supporting details

All entries are displayed newest first, so the most recent customs activity is always visible at the top.

How to add a customs entry to an artwork

1. Open an artwork record from Inventory
2. Go to the Location / Condition tab
3. Scroll to the Customs Status section
4. Click Edit Customs
5. Enter the customs type, entry number, date, and any notes
6. Click Save

Batch editing customs for multiple artworks

If you need to apply the same customs entry to several artworks at once, you can do this in bulk.

1. Select multiple artworks from Inventory
2. Open the Selection Cart
3. Click the menu (⋮)
4. Choose Edit Customs
5. Add the customs entry and save

The entry will be added to all selected works at the same time.

Managing customs types

Customs types are fully customizable and managed at the organization level.

To add or edit customs types:

• Go to Org Settings → Inventory → Settings

Changes apply across your inventory and will be available in the Customs Type dropdown going forward.

Common use cases

The Customs Tracking Timeline is especially helpful for:

• Art fairs and exhibitions
  Track temporary imports, exports, and clearance milestones for works traveling to and from fairs.
• Cross-border shipments
  Log customs entry numbers, clearance dates, and notes for international moves, all in one place on the artwork record.
• Long-term holds or delays
  Document customs holds, inspections, or extended storage periods so the full context is easy to reference later.

This keeps customs activity centralized and reduces guesswork when reviewing an artwork’s movement history.

❓FAQs

Q: Can I add customs entries to multiple artworks at once?
A: Yes. Select artworks from Inventory, open the Selection Cart, and choose Edit Customs from the menu.

Q: Where do I manage my customs types?
A: Go to Org Settings → Inventory → Settings to add or edit customs types.

Q: Can I add notes to a customs entry?
A: Yes. Each customs entry includes an optional notes field for additional details.