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

The Netherlands
Chapter 3: European Union Member States
If the application is complete with all required documents (photos, invoices etc.) it takes
about five working days to issue an export licence.
How do I find out if the art object I want to export is of national significance? Is there a Public
Inventory of cultural goods of special interest or importance?
If an object falls under the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act, special permission is always
required, even for temporary export.
You must address your request for permission to the Minister of Education, Culture and
Science through the State Inspectorate for Cultural Heritage. Owners of protected cultural
goods in the Netherlands are informed about this regulation by the Minister.
According to European Commission research, in 2002 some 200 objects and 30 collections
in the Netherlands were protected by the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. All the objects
were listed and their protected status was known by the owners. There is provision within
the Act for an object to be placed under immediate protection but at that point the procedure
had only been used twice and never in the context of a refusal of an export licence.
Export licences will not be issued for cultural goods that fall under the protective national
legislation of another EU member state. It is only possible to obtain an export licence
with the permission of the country of origin. This mutual assistance between EU Member
States is based on a European Directive and is explained in Chapter 2.
Are there any exemptions for particular cultural goods?
No exemptions are reported although, if necessary, it is possible to get a written statement
from the CDIU to confirm that goods do not require an export licence.
Do museums and galleries need licences for temporary exports (e.g. a touring exhibition)? Do
non-profit organisations need export licences?
Yes. Museums, galleries and non-profit organisations must apply for licences. Any cultural
goods that fall under any of the categories, age and value thresholds described in the EU
export licence legislation must be covered by an export licence, whatever the type of applicant
or purpose.
Museums and galleries applying for a licence for temporary export follow the same procedure
outlined above. Once it has been approved, the licence is valid for one year.
Some institutions in the Netherlands are granted a general open licence which enables
temporary and frequent exports of cultural goods for exhibition in a country outside the
European Union. These licences can be issued to museums and other organisations for
objects which are part of a permanent collection. The objects must be listed in advance
and the licence is valid for three years. The applicant must provide all necessary guarantees
that the objects will be returned in good condition.
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