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Applying for a permit for the permanent export of cultural property to an EU Member State

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If you wish to export cultural property from Germany to a member state of the European Union (EU) for longer than 5 years, you may require an export license.

		    


                					    

						    

							    Competent Department
						    

						    
					    

                        
					    

						    

							    Basic information
						    

						    

							    

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

A license for the permanent export of cultural goods to an EU member state is not required if you 


  • are the manufacturer or creator of the cultural object and
  • the cultural property is only temporarily located in Germany for up to 2 years.

However, a permit is required if 


  • the cultural property is permanently located in Germany,
  • the cultural property exceeds certain age and value limits or
  • you are the owner or an authorized third party. You can prove this 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

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

Cultural goods are, for example 


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

You can find out which objects count as cultural goods in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No. 116/2009. The increased age and value limits for export to the European Union (EU) are listed 


  • in Section 24 (2) of the Cultural Property Protection Act (KGSG) and
  • on the website of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

The financial value of the cultural property 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. 

If you require an export license, you can apply for this from the state authority of the federal state in which the cultural property is located.

								    

									    Requirements
  • The object to be removed is a cultural asset.
  • The object to be removed exceeds the age and value limits defined in the Cultural Property Act.
  • You are the owner of the cultural property or an authorized third party.
  • You have submitted the required documents.
								    
What documents do I need?
    
    
  • at least one photo of the cultural asset to be exported in 9 x 12 cm format        
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  • Proof of provenance        
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  • optional:        
    • Catalog
    • Catalog
    • Bibliography
    • Proof of value
    • further references
    •