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Applying for a permit for the permanent export of cultural property to a third country Steuern und Abgaben Auslandsgeschäft

If you wish to export cultural property from Germany to a third country for longer than 5 years, you require an export license.

  • Basic information

    Cultural assets are of great importance for cultural understanding and for Germany's identity. They must be protected.

    Cultural assets are, for example

    • works of art
    • archaeological objects,
    • archives,
    • manuscripts or
    • antiques, such as
      • furniture,
      • musical instruments or
      • jewelry.

    You can find out which objects count as cultural property and which value limits apply in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No. 116/2009 and on the website of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

    The financial value of the cultural object is the price paid within the last 3 years for a purchase or sale, otherwise a justified domestic estimated value at the time of application.

    An export is considered permanent if it lasts longer than 5 years.

    If you are the owner or an authorized third party, you can apply for an export permit from the state authority of the federal state in which the cultural property is located.

    You can prove your ownership with a so-called proof of provenance. This documents the origin of your object. Suitable evidence can be, for example

    • Proof of purchase or other acquisition
      • purchase contracts
      • invoices
      • wills
    • Insurance certificates
    • Excerpts from auction and exhibition catalogs
    • old photographs showing the work

    Requirements

    • The object to be removed is a cultural asset.
    • You are the owner of the cultural property or an authorized third party.
    • There is no export ban at the time of the application.
    • You have submitted the required documents.

  • Procedure

    You can apply for a permit for the permanent export of cultural property to a third country by post, online or hybrid.

    If you wish to apply for the export license in writing:

    • Download the corresponding PDF form.
    • The PDF contains 3 copies of the export license application.
    • All 3 copies must be completed.
    • Print out the PDF once.
    • Attach the necessary supporting documents to all copies.
    • The competent authority will check your application and decide whether to issue the export license. The competent authority keeps one copy for its files.
    • If the decision is positive, 2 copies will be provided with the license and sent back to you.
    • Both copies must be submitted to the competent customs office of export together with the export declaration.
    • The customs office of export confirms on both copies that it has inspected the export license and returns the first copy to you. The customs office of export keeps the second copy and returns it to the competent authority that issued the license.
    • If the decision on your application is negative, you will receive a written decision with reasons and information on legal remedies.

    If you wish to apply for the export license online:

    • Call up the online service.
    • Authenticate yourself with your BundID account (natural persons) or via My Company Account (organizations).
    • Complete the online form and attach the required attachments.
    • Submit the online form.
    • Save the confirmation of submission provided for verification purposes.
    • The remaining procedural steps are the same as the written procedure.
    • An online decision is not yet possible.

    If you wish to apply for the export license in hybrid form:

    • Call up the online service.
    • When you are asked for the identification method, click on "Without registration" and "Continue".
    • Complete the online form.
    • Submit the online form.
    • The PDF contains 3 copies of the export license application.
    • Print out the resulting PDF form once on one side in color.
    • Attach the missing documents to the copies.
    • If necessary, sign and stamp the copies in the specified places.
    • Send all 3 copies and the corresponding supporting documents by post to the competent authority.
    • The remaining procedural steps correspond to the written procedure.

    More information

    • You also need an export license for the permanent export of cultural goods to member states of the European Union (EU).

    Legal remedy:

    • Objection or, if the administrative act has been issued by a supreme state authority, an action for annulment or an action to compel.
    • Further information can be found in the information on legal remedies of the respective administrative act in the specific individual case.

  • Necessary Documents
    • at least one photo of the cultural asset to be exported in 9 x 12 cm format
    • Proof of provenance
    • optional:
      • Catalog
      • Catalog
      • Bibliography
      • Proof of value
      • further references

  • Competent Department

  • Online Services

  • Forms

  • Fees / Costs

    gebührenfrei

  • Deadlines & processing time

    What deadlines must be paid attention to?

    There is no deadline.

    How long does it take to process

    10 days from receipt of the complete application documents

  • Legal Bases

  • More Information

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This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.

The official information in German is complete and correct. 22.08.2025

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