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

Lithuania
Chapter 3: European Union Member States
Do I need an export licence?
Under Lithuanian legislation on the protection of national heritage, you need to obtain an
export permit or licence for movable cultural property, antiques and documents. Since
Lithuania is a Member State of the European Union, Council Regulation 3911/92 on the
export of cultural goods also applies. Therefore, for the export of cultural goods outside
the EU, you will need to apply for the EU export licence if your object falls under one of the
categories in the Annex to the Council Regulation.
Under Law No I-1179, movable cultural property is defined as “movable material creations
and other objects … possessing considerable cultural value, including those of importance
in an ethnic, archaeological, historical, artistic, scientific, technical, religious and
other sense”. Such objects also describe “typical as well as specific phenomena of national
existence and are included in the State records of movable cultural property”.
The definition of antiques is “all movable material creations and other objects …created
50 years ago and earlier, regardless of their remaining cultural value”.
It is obligatory to obtain a permit for the export of movable cultural property and antiques
if the item(s) is included in the list of movable cultural property and antiques, specified in
Resolution No 1424.
http://www.heritage.lt/t_aktai/lrv/04_1424_engl.htm (EN) Resolution No 1424
As a rule, items of movable cultural property are included in State Records of Movable
Cultural Property, such as the inventory lists of movable cultural property preserved in the
museums and libraries of Lithuania, or the Register of Movable Cultural Property. When
the object is on such a list, it cannot be exported permanently but temporary export may
be allowed.
Export of such items of movable cultural property may be permitted in accordance with
interstate agreements in the following circumstances:
• Exchange of items of movable cultural property, on determination by a Commission
of Experts for the Appraisal of Movable Cultural Property that the item of movable
cultural property received on an exchange basis is unquestionably more significant to
Lithuania’s culture than the item of movable cultural property given in exchange
• The return of the item of movable cultural property to the State from which it had been
removed unlawfully
Other Lithuanian legislation applies to documents. Permanent export of documents from
the National Documentary Fond is prohibited, except when such export is permitted under
international agreements on the reconstruction of national archival heritage of a State.
Documents of the National Documentary Fond which are 10 years old may be temporarily
exported from Lithuania for cultural exchange or other purposes with a permit issued by
the Lithuanian Archives Department. Export from Lithuania of documents over 50 years
old is allowed only with a permit issued by the Lithuanian Archives Department.
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