Applying for a permit for the temporary export of cultural property to a third country

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 defined as temporary if it is to take place for a maximum period of 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

In the case of companies with several registered offices in Germany, the actual place of storage is not relevant. In this case, the state authority in which the company has its headquarters is responsible.

Requirements

• The object to be removed is a cultural asset.
• You are the owner of the cultural asset 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
• Proof of provenance
• optional:
  
  • Catalog
  • Catalog
  • Bibliography
  • Proof of value
  • further references