cultural property

 

 

Certain cultural objects more than 50 years of age and valued above specified financial thresholds will require an individual licence for export out of the United Kingdom whether on a permanent or temporary basis. 

 

The export licensing controls for objects of cultural interest are designed to balance the need to keep nationally important objects in this country, the rights of owners and the encouragement of a thriving art trade.

 

We aim to keep this balance when negotiating European legislation on export controls and on the return of unlawfully removed cultural objects. 

 

For further details about which objects require an individual licence please refer to Guidance to Exporters of Cultural Goods leaflet. (PDF 375kb) You should also refer to Cultural Objects from Iraq (PDF 53kb). Information about the licensing procedures is contained in Procedures and Guidance for Exporters of Works of Art and Other Cultural Goods (PDF 197kb).