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

Greece
Chapter 3: European Union Member States
Council Regulation 3911/92 (see Chapter 2) applies to cultural goods which are exported
from Greece to Russia, or to any other country outside the European Union. Cultural goods
which come under this legislation (according to the categories, age and value thresholds
in the Annex) must have an EU export licence.
National legislation applies to export outside the EU (within the EU, movement of cultural
goods is called ‘dispatch’) for any cultural goods protected by national legislation. Under
this legislation, an export permit (also described below as a certificate) must be issued by
a Ministerial Decision, before an export licence is issued.
The regulations for export/dispatch licences apply to anyone who is exporting cultural
goods from Greece to another country. They apply, whatever your nationality, citizenship,
place of residence or age. They apply whether you are an individual, a company (commercial
or non-profit), a public institution or other organisation.
Are there different types of licence? What type of licence do I need?
There are two licensing regimes in operation – national and EU.
Under national legislation (Law 3028/2002), there are various types of certificate:
• Export/movement certificate for:
a) export outside the EU for cultural goods which are protected only by the national
legislation and do not fall under Council Regulation 3911/92
b) dispatch of cultural goods to another EU member state
• Import/movement certificate for cultural goods that are imported/moved into Greece
Under EU legislation there are three types of export licence:
• Standard export licence for permanent export of cultural goods possessed or owned
by individuals
• Specific open licence for temporary export of cultural goods possessed or owned by
individuals
• General open licence for the temporary export of cultural goods of state museums and
collections
If you are exporting cultural goods from Greece to Russia, you will need either the national
export/movement certificate or the EU standard export licence, depending on the case.
What are my first steps? How do I plan this process and how long might it take?
You should contact the appropriate Directorate at the Ministry of Culture. The Directorate
of Museums, Exhibitions and Education Programmes is for cultural goods dating from
ancient times up to 1830. The Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage is for cultural goods
after 1830. The Directorate will advise you on the procedures for application.
According to the national legislation, an export permit is granted by a decision of the Minister of
Culture, following an opinion of the Central Archaeological Council (an advisory body appoint-
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