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

Lithuania
Chapter 3: European Union Member States
for export. It establishes the cultural value of antiques and delivers conclusions on the
issue of export permits.
If the Council finds no reasons of scientific, artistic or cultural importance for retaining
an antique object in Lithuania, an export permit will be issued. A permit for the export of
antiques from Lithuania will not be issued where the Council determines that:
• The antique object is rare or in danger of becoming rare
• The antique object is particularly representative of national cultural heritage
• The antique object is closely linked with a valuable cultural environment
• The antique object is related to distinguished persons or historical events of State
• There are other important reasons preventing the export of the antique object
For the temporary export of antiques from Lithuania, for cultural events, exhibition or restoration,
these five criteria do not apply.
When issuing a permit for the export of antiques from Lithuania, the rarity factor (“the
antique object is rare or in danger of becoming rare”) will not apply where:
• The antique object is a household article of a person moving to live abroad
• A person living abroad has inherited the antique object intended for export or the
antique object has been transferred to him after property settlement
If the Council determines that the antique object intended for export is significant for the cultural
heritage of Lithuania and its export would impoverish the cultural heritage of Lithuania, a permit
for permanent export will not be issued. In this case, the antique object may, with the consent of
the owner, be entered in the Register of Cultural Property or be purchased by the State.
When the Council gives its conclusions regarding the issue of a permit, the applicant
must pay a state fee for the issue of a permit and present the receipt to the Department
of Cultural Heritage Protection.
Documents intended for export from Lithuania are appraised, the cultural value is established
and conclusions regarding the issue of permits for their export are submitted by the
Lithuanian Archives Department. If necessary, the Department consults with a Commission
of Experts which it sets up.
A permit for the temporary export of documents from Lithuania will not be issued where
the Lithuanian Archives Department determines that there are important reasons preventing
the export of the documents. For documents over 50 years old, a permit will not be
issued where the Department determines that the absence of the documents would impoverish
the cultural heritage of Lithuania.
Can I appeal against the valuation or refusal of an export licence? How do I do that?
You can appeal against administrative decisions to the competent Court in Lithuania.
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