This section covers Export Licences for Cultural Goods.

Specifically:
  • what is an export licence?
    • ​what re cutural goods?
  • when is one required?
  • what changed with Brexit?

This page includes links to expert sources - including government websites.

It continues to be a work in progress.
Export Licenses by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images

WHAT IS AN EXPORT LICENCE?
​

You may need a licence to export certain ‘cultural goods’ over 50 years old.
Whether you need a licence depends on
  • the nature of the goods
  • the age - generally more than 50 years old
  • the value of the goods.  Value thresholds dictate the need for an export licence - but these vary according to the nature of the goods
  • Plus different countries have different rules
Basic Process for Export Licences
  1. Check if you need an Export Licence
  2. Check the rules for exporting your goods
  3. Apply for any licences you need to export your goods.

​What are cultural goods?
​

Cultural goods are items of cultural interest. They may include:
  • works of art
  • furniture
  • antiques
  • means of transport
  • manuscripts
  • archaeological items

UK EXPORT LICENCES FOR CULTURAL GOODS
​

Export Licences after 1 January 2021 (post Brexit)
​

all objects of cultural interest manufactured or produced more than 50 years before the date of exportation require a UK licence under domestic export legislation.
​
Guidance on the export of cultural goods brought into the United Kingdom (UK) from outside the European Union (EU) but not released into free circulation (PDF)
REFERENCE: Export Licence for Works of Art and cultural goods
To export cultural goods from the UK you need to
  • apply online if you need an export license.
  • Full details of how to apply using the new digital procedure can be found on the Arts Council England website. Cultural goods include:
    • works of art
    • furniture
    • antiques
    • means of transport
    • manuscripts
    • archaeological items

The Threshold for requiring a UK Licence to export a painting is £180,000
​​REFERENCE:
Part of Export goods from the UK: step by step

Export Licence thresholds for export of cultural goods
- to countries outside the European Union
​

Picture
Export Licence REQUIRED: Threshold Values and Customs Codes for the Export of Artwork (extract from Procedures and guidance for exporters 2016)
£ZERO THRESHOLDS
  • 1. Archaeological objects over 100 years old: £Zero
  • 2. Elements of artistic, historical or religious monuments over 100 years old which have been dismantled: £Zero
  • 8. Incunabula and manuscripts, including maps and musical scores, singly or in collections: £Zero
  • 11. Archives, and any elements thereof, of any kind or any medium over 50 years old: £Zero

THRESHOLDS £10,000 - £50,000 (by value)
  • 4. Mosaics other than those in categories 1 or 2, and drawings in any medium: £10,200
  • 5. Engravings, prints, serigraphs and lithographs with their respective plates and original posters: £10,200
  • 7. Photographs, films and negatives thereof: £10,200
  • 10. Printed maps more than 200 years old: £10,200
  • 3b. Watercolours, gouaches and pastels: £20,600
  • 6. Sculptures or statuary and copies produced by the same process, other than those in category 1: £34,300
  • 9. Books more than 100 years old: £34,300
  • 12a. Zoological, botanical, mineralogical or anatomical collections or specimens: £34,300
  • 12b. Historical, palaeontological, ethnographic or numismatic collections: £34,300
  • 13. Means of transport over 75 years old: £34,300
  • 14. Any other items more than 50 years old not included in categories 1 to 13: £34,300

THRESHOLDS > £100k
  • 3a. Pictures and paintings, other than those included in category 3b or 4: £103,000

Export Licences in the UK - valuation and processes
​

Certain cultural goods that reach or exceed specific age and monetary value thresholds require an individual licence for export out of the UK – whether on a permanent or temporary basis.
Export Licensing | Arts Council
The provision of provenance by exporters for cultural objects that are intended for export, would appear to be a recurrent, contentious, and on occasions fractious issue for quite some time.
​Notice on import proof, declarations and provenance (PDF)
The Export Licensing Unit of the Arts Council issues export licences on behalf of the Secretary of State in the UK.

The British Government seeks to keep items of particular cultural significance in the UK. Consequently there are export controls on art and other significant items.
The UK government retains the right to defer the granting of an export license. This is used to delay the export of items deemed of national importance under specified criteria in order to allow time for funds to be raised to keep them in the UK.
Waverley Criteria
EXPORT LICENCES: Articles by government / agencies / reputable organisations

These are the rules. They're not negotiable.
REFERENCE: These are related articles:

EXPORTING CULTURAL GOODS FROM FRANCE
​

France has changed its export licensing system for cultural goods, increasing the value thresholds and removing some red tape.​
REFERENCE: