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Export Licences for Cultural Goods

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.
Picture
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 you need to do is different if you are:
  • sending goods through the post
  • taking goods in your luggage, car or van to sell
  • taking goods temporarily out of the UK.

​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:
  • ​Guidance: Export art, antiques and cultural goods: special rules | GOV.UK - How to apply for a licence to export cultural goods, including antiques, furniture and archaeological items.
  • ​Guidance: Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques | Published 2 December 2020 - see if you can work out what it means. The entire guidance is contained in the image below!
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 are NOT NEGOTIABLE.
  • Export art, antiques and cultural goods: special rules | GOV.UK  - How to apply for a licence to export cultural goods, including antiques, furniture and archaeological items.
  • Export Licensing | Arts Council (UK) - - provides information and guidance about export licences. 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.
  • ​Notice on import proof, declarations and provenance | Arts Council (PDF) - Notices for exporters includes one relating to import proof, customs declarations and statements and proof of provenance
  • Procedures and guidance for exporters | Arts Council (2016)
REFERENCE: These are related articles:
  • Export Licences | Antique Trades Gazette - When art and antiques are bought and sold above certain the value thresholds, it is necessary to obtain licences to export these items from the UK.
  • UNESCO holds a unique round table on regulation, cooperation and diligence of professionals for cultural heritage protection
Picture

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:
  • French export licensing thresholds for cultural goods change | Antiques Gazette
  • France Has Revised Its System for Exporting Art and Antiques, Removing Red Tape that Has Long Hindered Trade | Art Net News

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  • Home
    • Art Business Information Index
  • NEWS
  • PRACTICE
    • Starting Out - Tips
    • Being a Professional artist >
      • Working Lives of Professional Artists
      • Artists' Side Hustles
      • Artists' Residencies
      • Artists Unions
    • Best Art Business Books
    • Learning Opportunities >
      • Art Schools in the UK
      • Art Business Courses
    • Image Management for Artists >
      • How to photograph art
      • How To Scan Artwork
      • How to back up image files
    • Law for Artists >
      • Legal Matters
      • Data Protection for Art and Artists
      • Brexit Guidance for Art and Artists
    • Business Management for Artists >
      • Risk Management for Artists
      • How to spot Art Scams / Fraud
      • Life in an Art Market Recession
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 and Art
  • MARKETING
    • How to write an Artist's Statement >
      • What is an Artist Statement?
      • Why you need an Artist's Statement
      • TIPS How to write an artist statement
      • The Language of an Artist's Statement
      • What an artist statement should contain
      • Examples of Artists Statements
    • How to write an Artist's Resume or CV >
      • Social Media summaries
      • CV for Artists
      • Resume for Artists
      • Biography for Artists
    • How to sign a painting, drawing or fine art print
    • Business Cards for Artists
    • How to write a press release for an artist
    • The Private View Invitation
    • Publicity for Juried Exhibitions
    • Websites for Artists >
      • Why websites matter
      • Options for Websites
      • Web content for Artists
      • Web design for artists
      • Keeping Google Happy
      • Writing for the Web
    • Image & Video sizes for Social Media Sites
    • How to be mobile-friendly
  • SELL ART
    • Trading Law & Regulations for Artists (UK)
    • E-commerce for artists
    • Art Exhibitions & Competitions >
      • Juried Exhibitions & Art Competitions
      • Juried Art Exhibition Checklist for Artists
      • How to cost a juried exhibition entry
      • How to make labels for an art exhibition
    • A Guide to Art Agents and Consultants
    • A Guide to Art Dealers & Galleries >
      • How to find the right gallery
    • The Artist-run Gallery
    • The Vanity Gallery
    • Art Fairs
    • Alternative Options for Exhibitions
    • How to Sell Art from Home
    • Open Studios
  • FRAME ART
    • List of Recommended Picture Framers
    • Conservation Products
    • Framing for open exhibitions and art competitions
    • Framing Videos
    • How to hang a picture
  • SHIP ART
    • How to pack artwork >
      • How to pack and ship pastel paintings
    • Packaging materials
    • How to ship art internationally >
      • Rules of Origin
      • Export Licences for Cultural Goods
    • How to ship art to exhibitions
    • How to mail art - Post & Parcel Services
    • UK & Ireland: Art Transport Services
    • USA Art Transport Services
  • COPYRIGHT
    • Copyright and artists' rights
    • BASICS: Copyright Infringement and Fair Use
    • How to protect artwork online
    • How to do a reverse image search
    • What to do about copyright infringement - for artists
    • Global Conventions on copyright >
      • Copyright in the UK
      • Copyright in the USA
      • Copyright in Canada
      • Copyright in Australia
  • MONEY & TAX
    • How to work out profit from an art sale
    • How to Price Your Art >
      • How important is price when buying art?
      • Options for Pricing Art
      • Terminology and Formulas for Pricing Art
      • Art Experts on Pricing Art
      • How artists price their art
      • The price of affordable art
    • Payments to Artists >
      • Paying Artists
      • How to create an Invoice
    • VAT for Artists
    • Tax Tips for Artists >
      • Tax on prize money
      • UK Tax Tips for Artists
      • UK: Self-Assessment Video Tips
      • USA Tax Tips for Artists
      • Ireland: Tax for Artists
      • Australia: Tax Tips for Artists
    • Insurance for Art and Artists >
      • Insurance for Art Teachers
      • UK Insurance Policies for art and artists
      • USA & Canada: Insurance Policies for Art and Artists
    • Artists' Grants & Scholarships
    • Retirement and Pensions for Artists
    • The Art Legacy >
      • Estate Planning for Artists
      • Estate Planning for Art Collectors
      • Famous Artists Estates
      • Artwork Inventory
      • After the Death of an Artist
      • Copyright and Resale Rights after Death
      • Art and Inheritance Tax
  • About + Help
    • Would you like me to help?
    • Privacy & Cookies Policy
    • Contact