Every art fair is unique, but only one is Superfair and we’re glad to have you with us. Follow our simple rules and enjoy an efficient and successful fair with more art sales and less stress.

• Every artwork must have a tag that includes the price. Not only does this enhance our guests’ experience by providing them with clear, price transparency but it also helps you engage better with potential collections and make more sales.

• NO HAMMERS & NAILS, whatsoever! It just doesn’t work with our walls. Your neighbor’s art will fall down, and they won’t be happy (plus it’s an awful sound to hear). Here’s our drill recommendation!

• Hang your art level. That means using two leveled screws *or* making effective use of plastic bumpers. Hanging art on a single screw means it will look terrible by the next day, so please adhere to this.

• Please, please, please don’t lean your art against the walls. If we see this, our team will ask you to remove them. It takes away from the professionalism of the fair experience and doesn’t encourage more sales. 

• No outside furniture, please. Exceptions are the small side tables from Ikea (Lack and Knarrevik in black or white, or for medical requirements. We provide affordable rental options and other furniture makes the fair feel more like a yard sale than an art show (even if it’s perfectly lovely on its own!)

• Don’t overhang. Stick to your approved plan and make more sales.

• Be nice! All of us - the fair organizers, your fellow exhibitors, our truly lovely staff - are heavily invested in each fair. There are good times, down times, and in-betweens, but we’re all here to help you sell art and have a great time doing it. When we all work together, everyone benefits! :)

DC Sales Tax Requirements

In Washington, D.C., businesses that sell tangible personal property and certain services must collect sales tax. The general sales and use tax rate is 6%, but specific goods and services have different rates. The requirements apply to both in-state and remote sellers. 

Registration requirements

Before collecting tax, businesses must register with the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR). 

• In-state sellers: Any business with a physical presence in D.C. must register.

• Remote and out-of-state sellers: A business with no physical presence in D.C. must register if, in the current or previous calendar year, it has:

  • Over $100,000 in gross receipts from retail sales delivered into D.C.

  • More than 200 separate retail sales transactions delivered into D.C.

• Marketplace facilitators: Online marketplaces must collect and remit sales tax on sales made through their platforms. 

Sales tax rates

The sales tax rate varies depending on the item or service sold: 

• 6%: General rate for tangible personal property and many services.

Filing and remittance

• Filing frequency: Businesses file returns either monthly, quarterly, or annually, as assigned by the OTR.

• Due date: Sales tax returns are typically due on the 20th day of the month following the reporting period.

• Filing returns: Returns are filed using the Form 800 series with the OTR. 

Use tax

The D.C. use tax applies to taxable items or services purchased from an out-of-state vendor where the D.C. sales tax was not collected.

• For consumers: If you pay $400 or more in use tax in a year, you must file Form FR-329 to report and pay the tax.

• For businesses: Businesses are required to remit both sales and use taxes to the OTR. 

Disclaimer: This is a summary of sales tax requirements and is not legal or tax advice. You should consult with a tax professional or the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue for guidance on your specific circumstances.

Our recommendations in this guide regarding the import of artworks to the United States should be only one source of information for you.

Anything we say in this regard is a recommendation and not a fact to be relied on as we are not and cannot be US customs experts.

Artists from outside of the US need to provide all information to have their shipments cleared for delivery. International exhibitors will be able to get their shipments cleared by filling out a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Form 5106.

This allows you to import goods into the US even if you do not have a US tax id or society security number.

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND CONTACTING A LOCAL CUSTOMS BROKER. They are affordable and will answer all your questions with up to date information.

USING our point of sales partner COHART:

Cohart is optional, but very useful, especially for international exhibitors.

Every artist must collect sales tax and remit to DC government sites. Here are a few other important things artists need to know:

For payments, Cohart processes everything in USD, so artists need to make sure their banks accept USD transfers. Cohart will need artists international wire details for sending their earnings.

On the paperwork side, artists need to fill out a W-8BEN form for US tax purposes - Cohart can help walk artists through this!

Check with a local tax advisor in your home country about tax reporting requirements for their income earned through the Cohart platform. Different countries handle this differently, so it's good to be clear on artists local obligations.

Recommended research:

Homeland Security: CBP Form 7523 items under $2500

Combined import items total $2500 and over: Customs Brokers

• Your feet > stools > chairs...in that order. Being at your buyers’ level and ready to engage is best.

• Gather your potential clients’ info! When someone loves your art, let’s not leave it at that. Get their name and most importantly their email address for your newsletters + direct reachouts. You can expand your base quickly, and easily make 30-70% more sales per fair this way.

• Changing out (unsold) art is almost always a bad idea. If you don’t sell your piece de resistance on day 1 or 2, don’t panic! It’s best to stick with your approved plan throughout. Clients come early in the weekend, see art they love, and want to see it again – and quite possibly buy it – when they return later.