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.
For further details about which objects require an individual licence please refer to the UK Export Licensing for Cultural Goods: Procedures and guidance for exporters of works of art and other cultural goods booklet. You should also refer to Cultural Objects from Iraq. Information about the licensing procedures is contained in the UK Export Licensing for Cultural Goods: Procedures and guidance for exporters of works of art and other cultural goods booklet.
Please direct enquiries to the Export Licensing Unit on 020 7273 8265/66/67/69/73, via email at elu@mla.gov.uk or via post to the Export Licensing Unit, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, Wellcome Wolfson Building, 165 Queen's Gate, London SW7 5HD.
Guidance
UK Export Licensing for Cultural Goods: Procedures and guidance for exporters of works of art and other cultural goods (PDF 222KB)
This booklet provides guidance on the procedures involved in applying for an export licence for cultural goods. Part 1 sets out the export controls that apply to cultural goods, and when an individual export licence is required. Part 2 details how decisions are reached on licence applications for objects of national importance. Table 2 of this document has been amended to reflect changes to threshold values for EU categories for the export of cultural goods.
Guidance on the export of cultural goods not released into free circulation (12th October 2010) (PDF 45KB)
Guidance to Exporters of Archaeological Objects
Guidance to Exporters of Archaeological Objects (Including Numismatic Items) (PDF 74KB)
This guidance sets out the export licensing requirements for the export of archaeological objects (including numismatic items).
Guidance to Exporters of Archaeological material over 50 years of age found in UK soil (PDF 66KB)
This note gives details of information that exporters of UK origin archaeological material might provide with their application to help expert advisers process them.
Notices for Exporters
Move to Arts Council (PDF 20KB)
Notice setting out the new EU threshold values (PDF 29KB) which will come into force on 31st December 2009
Notice on the provision of provenance (PDF 18KB) to supply when submitting an export licence application form (web version)
ELA1 form (for inclusion with export licence applications) (Word 72KB). This form is mentioned in the above notice; summary sheet to accompany export licence applications (this sheet is not an export licence application form).
Open General Export Licence (Objects of Cultural Interest) dated 1st May 2004 (PDF 47KB) granted by the Secretary of State
Cultural objects from Iraq (PDF 53KB) is a notice detailing the UN embargo on the import/export of Iraqi cultural items
Notice and application form detailing how to apply for an individual EU Open Specific Export Licence for any musical instruments temporarily exported for a period of less than three months for use in the course of work by a professional musician.
ELU Notice to Exporters of Musical Instruments (PDF 23KB)
ELU open licence form (musical instruments) (Word 648 KB)
Notice and application form detailing how to apply for an individual EU Open Specific Export Licence for a motor vehicle to enable its temporary export outside the EU for a period of up to three months for use for pleasure purposes.
ELU Notice to Exporters of Motor Vehicles (PDF 23 KB)
ELU open licence form (motor vehicles) (Word 656 KB)
Definition of when the presence of marginalia means that printed matter should be treated as a manuscript for the purposes of export
Notice to Exporters of Manuscripts (19 July 2006) (Word 38KB)
Notices for Exporters and Expert Advisers
Duty of Confidentiality (4 November 2010) (PDF 14KB)
