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Export Licence
Thresholds
The export of antiques and cultural goods from
the United Kingdom is subject to both
European and United Kingdom regulations. Many
items bought in the United Kingdom for export
outside the European Union [e.g. to the United
States or Canada] do not require an
export licence. Unless
CITES applies the need for an export licence
is usually governed by the age, value or
description of the item to be exported and
depending on the circumstances either a European
or United Kingdom Export Licence issued by the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
will be required.
European Export
Licence - see Table 1
for threshold values
United Kingdom Export
Licence - see Table 2 for
threshold values
A UK licence will be
required to export outside the European Union any
items valued at or above the relevant UK licence
limit but below the European licence limit. A
European licence only will be required to export
outside the European Union any items valued at or
above the European Union licence limit.
We will be happy to assist with ant export licensing
queries you may have and can help process the
relevant application if required.
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TABLE 1 -EU
Categories for the Export of Cultural Goods
VALUES AT OR ABOVE WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL
EUROPEAN EXPORT LICENSE
IS REQUIRED FOR EXPORT OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN UNION [INCLUDING THE UNITED
KINGDOM]
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Category of Object |
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Threshold Value |
1. Archaeological
objects more than 100 years old which are the products of:
- excavations
and finds on land or under water
-
archaeological sites
- archaeological
collections
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Licence always
required |
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2.
Elements forming an integral part of artistic, historical or religious
monuments which have been dismembered, of an age exceeding 100 years |
Licence always
required |
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3.
Pictures and paintings, other than those included in category 3A or 4,
executed entirely by hand in any medium and on any material |
£91,200 |
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3A. Water-colours, gouaches and pastels executed entirely by hand on any
material |
£18,200 |
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4.
Mosaics in any material executed entirely by hand, other than those
falling in categories 1 or 2 and drawings in any medium executed
entirely by hand on any material |
£9,100 |
| 5.
Original engravings, prints, serigraphs and lithographs with their
respective plates and original posters |
£9,100 |
| 6.
Original sculptures or statuary and copies produced by the same process
as the original, other than those in category 1 |
£30,400 |
| 7.
Photographs, films and negatives thereof |
£9,100 |
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8.
Incunabula and manuscripts, including maps and musical scores, singly or
in collections |
Licence always
required |
| 9.
Books more than 100 years old, singly or in collections |
£30,400 |
| 10.
Printed maps more than 200 years old
|
£9,100 |
| 11.
Archives, and any elements thereof, of any kind or any medium which are
more than 50 years old |
Licence always
required |
| 12.
(a) Collections and specimens from zoological, botanical, mineralogical
or anatomical collections;
(b) Collections of historical, palaeontological, ethnographic or
numismatic interest |
£30,400 |
| 13.
Means of transport more than 75 years old |
£30,400 |
| 14.
Any other antique items not included in categories 1 to 13 more than 50
years old |
£30,400 |
TABLE 2 - OGEL
[Open General Export Limits (Antiques) Limits] for the Export of
Cultural Goods
VALUES AT OR ABOVE WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL
UNITED KINGDOM EXPORT LICENSE
IS REQUIRED FOR EXPORT OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM
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Category of Object |
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Threshold Value |
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1. Any item over 50 years of age
[excluding objects listed in categories 2-10 below] |
£65,000 |
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2.
Archaeological material found in UK soil or UK territorial waters over
50 years of age |
Licence always
required |
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3. Manuscripts,
documents and archives [excluding printed matter] over 50 years of age |
Licence always
required |
| 4.
Architectural, scientific and engineering drawings produced by hand over
50 years of age |
Licence always
required |
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5. A photographic positive or negative or any assemblage of such
photographs over 50 years of age |
£10,000 |
| 6. A
textile [excluding carpets and tapestries] over 50 years of age |
£12,000 |
| 7. A
portrait or likeness of a British Historical Person over 50 years of age |
£10,000 |
| 8. A
firearm over100 years of age and any other arms or armour |
£35,000 |
| 9. A
firearm between 50 and 100 years of age |
£65,000 |
| 10. A
painting in oil or tempera [excluding portraits of British Historical
Persons] over 50 years of age |
£180,000 |
The information given above sets
out our understanding of the current Export License Thresholds for the
export of cultural goods outside the European Union which
includes the United Kingdom. Further information can be
found on the web site of the
Department for Culture,
Media and Sport.
In addition
the
Washington Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species [known as CITIES] also applies certain
restrictions on the import and export of items made of or
incorporating endangered or protected animal parts. A
separate export licence will be required for the export of
items made of or incorporating endangered or protected
animal parts such as ivory, whale bone, bird feathers,
crocodile, tortoiseshell, coral, animal skin or fur. A
licence for export will be required irrespective of age or
value. Further information can be obtained from the Global
Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs.
You should also be aware that
the grant of the appropriate export licence/s by the UK
Authorities or exemption from export control does not
necessarily mean that you will be allowed to import the
relevant item into your own country. You should liaise as
appropriate with your national authorities
We cannot accept any liability in respect of any errors or omissions in
this information which is intended solely as a guide to our current
understanding. Specific advice should always be sought on a
proposed purchase from your Host who will be happy to
advise on the current UK regulations
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