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

Chapter 3: European Union Member States
Spain
What are the penalties if I do something wrong?
The illicit export of an object pertaining to Spanish Historic Heritage is a criminal offence
if the object is valued over 18,000 Euros. Under that sum it constitutes an administrative
offence.
What are the standards of service I can expect to receive?
There are no specific standards of service, but there is detailed information on procedures
for import and export on the website of the Ministry of Culture. Most of the information is
provided in Spanish, but you can access to the main chapters if you click on the English
version of the Ministry’s website.
Are there any special export restrictions on certain objects or other considerations I should
know about?
For the following categories of goods, only a permit for temporary export can be applied for:
• Goods of Cultural Interest
• Those goods for which the procedure of classification as of Cultural Interest has
already been initiated
• Goods banned from export as a preventive measure
• Publicly owned goods
You should also know that when you apply for the definitive export of a good, or for its
temporary export with right to sell abroad, Spanish Law gives the State a pre-emptive
right of purchase of the good for its value declared for export.
What are the requirements if I want to import cultural goods into Spain from Russia?
When importing the goods, you have to declare them at customs and be able to produce
documentation proving that the import is legal, if required to do so.
There are two administrative procedures that you can do right after the import, which have
a number of advantages.
Firstly, once you import a cultural good, you can apply to the authorities of the Autonomous
Community where it is going to be located for registration of the good in the General
Inventory of Movable Goods or for its classification as a Good of Cultural Interest. If such
registration or classification takes place within a year from the date of import, you can get an
Income Tax reduction for part of the expenses incurred in the purchase of the good abroad.
This is provided that the good remains in Spain as your property for at least four years.
Secondly, if within three months of import you present the Directorate General in Madrid
with an import declaration (the form is available on the website of the Ministry of Culture),
together with the SAD (Single Administrative Document) for import and proof of your ownership
rights (e.g. an invoice), your good will have special status for ten years (extendable
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