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

Chapter 3: European Union Member States
United Kingdom
for export licences for goods which may be of national significance are referred to Expert
Advisers following a procedure explained in more detail below.
Are there any exemptions for particular cultural goods?
For export outside the EU, postage stamps and any object less than 50 years old which
belongs to its originator are exempt from export control.
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 export licences. A
museum or gallery is more likely to be arranging a temporary loan of an object for an exhibition
abroad rather than seeking a permanent export. A temporary licence application by
a national museum or gallery is not normally referred to an Expert Adviser.
Some National Museums and Galleries in the UK have been granted OIELs, Open Individual
Export Licences, which allow them to export certain specified objects without the need
to obtain an individual UK licence from the MLA. This can be for temporary or permanent
export, within or outside the EU.
There is no statutory limit on the length of time an art object can remain outside the country
but the usual period is up to three years.
I am a visual artist. Do I need a licence to export my own work?
No. Art work which belongs to “the originator” (i.e. the artist who created it) does not require
an export licence under the EU export licence legislation, if it is under 50 years old,
whatever its value. In these circumstances, you do not need a licence to export your own
work if you still own it yourself.
I am a musician. Do I need to know about export regulations if I am travelling with my
instrument?
Yes. The EU regulations on the export of cultural goods state that an individual export
licence is required every time a musical instrument (over 50 years and valued at or above
£34,300) is exported to a destination outside the European Union, even if on a temporary
basis, e.g. for a concert tour.
Following an amendment to Commission Regulation 752/93, it is now possible for the UK
licensing authorities to issue an individual EU Open Specific Export Licence for a musical
instrument to enable its temporary export outside the EU for a period of up to three
months for use in the course of work by a professional musician. This licence is valid for
three years, during which you can take the musical instrument outside the EU as often
as you need for your work but for no longer than three months at a time. After this, the
licence can be renewed.
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