A guide to the export and import of cultural goods between Russia ...

Chapter 3: European Union Member States
Germany
Most temporary licences for listed objects are granted for exhibition purposes and only
rarely for conservation purposes. The fragility of the object and the risk of damage during
transport are taken into account in deciding whether to grant a licence.
There is no specific statutory limitation as to the period of time an object can be out of
Germany in these cases. Nonetheless, temporary export permits are usually granted for
short periods (several months) for exhibitions abroad.
I am a visual artist. Do I need a licence to export my own work?
No. Art work which belongs to “the originator” (i.e. the artist who created it) does not require
an export licence under the EU export licence legislation, whatever its age or value.
Therefore you do not need a licence to export your own work if you still own it yourself.
I am a musician. Do I need to know about export regulations if I am travelling with my
instrument?
Yes. Any musician who wishes to travel outside the European Union with a musical instrument
which is over a certain age and value must obtain an EU export licence (as described in Chapter
2). This applies whether the export is temporary, e.g. for a concert tour, or permanent.
I am a tourist visiting Germany. If I buy a work of art, how do I take it home with me?
The export regulations apply to anyone who wants to take cultural goods of a certain age or
age and value from Germany to Russia (or to another country). You must go through the application
process with the German authorities in order for the goods to be cleared for export.
If you are buying art work, an antique, furniture or other cultural goods from a reputable
art or antique dealer, check whether the goods are listed before you buy them. If they are
listed, you are unlikely to get permission to export them permanently.
While the application is being processed, the goods must remain in Germany. You may
therefore have to arrange for transportation at a later date.
If you are in any doubt, check the age and value of the cultural goods. This determines
whether an EU export licence is required. In general, the export controls apply to cultural
goods which are over 50 years old and of a certain value.
Is there a fee for an export licence?
No – there is no fee for the licence.
Does the cultural object need to be valued? If so, who will do this?
The administrative procedure for the listing of an object involves a committee of experts
that decides on the national importance of the object. The Conference of the Länder Min-
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