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

France
Chapter 3: European Union Member States
whether certain cultural goods should be retained on French territory, prior to a decision
by the Minister of Culture to refuse an export certificate.
It receives all applications for permission for temporary export of national treasures (essentially
works of art from the collections of museums in France), as well as applications
for temporary export licences for other cultural goods as defined by national legislation.
The Bureau also controls the re-importation of all these works.
The French Customs Authorities, through the SETICE (Service des Titres du Commerce
Extérieur) office are also closely involved, notably in the issue of EU export licences and in
the control of export and import of cultural goods.
Do I need an export licence?
French law differentiates between two types of cultural goods:
• National treasures
• Cultural goods (as defined by Law No. 92-1477)
National treasures are cultural goods defined as being of major interest to French national
heritage. Their export is restricted. They may be owned by a public authority or by individuals.
Works belonging to public collections in museums in France are automatically
considered to be national treasures. French national treasures cannot be exported on
a permanent basis. Temporary export for exhibition, restoration, expert appraisal, loan
to foreign museum may be authorised but only on the basis of a licence for temporary
removal. The goods must be returned to France on a specified date.
Other cultural goods, as defined by national law, are not restricted for export but still
require a licence to leave the country. Permanent export licences may be granted for this
type of goods. You do not need a licence if the goods have been in France for less than
two years. If they were imported lawfully to France less than 50 years ago, they are automatically
authorised to leave the country (unless listed as protected cultural goods), but
you still need to apply for a national certificate for export authorisation.
The categories of cultural goods that are defined under French national legislation and therefore
require a certificate (export authorisation) are virtually the same as those defined in Commission
Regulation 3911/92. There are some small differences in a few areas. A comparative table of
the categories, value and age thresholds that apply under both legislations is available on the
website of the French customs authorities: http://www.douane.gouv.fr/data/file/3790.pdf.
If you want to export a cultural good from France to Russia that is defined by the legislation,
you will require the national export licence (a certificat or certificate) and the EU
export licence. The certificate is required to take the cultural goods out of France and the
licence is required to export them to a third or non-EU country.
Practical guidance for people leaving France with cultural goods is available on the website
of the French customs: http://www.douane.gouv.fr/page.asp?id=52.
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