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

Chapter 3: European Union Member States
France
Are there different types of licence? What type of licence do I need?
There are two different types of licence:
• The certificate (also described as an authorisation) issued under French national legislation
• The EU export licence
You can apply for permanent or temporary export although cultural goods which are listed
and thereby defined as national treasures will not normally be granted a permanent export
licence. The temporary export authorisation is described in French as an AST (authorisation
de sortie temporaire).
The certificate is valid indefinitely for goods over 100 years old and for other cultural goods
it is valid for 20 years, on a renewable basis. The certificate acts as a kind of passport for
the goods and you may find that the cultural goods that you wish to export already have
a certificate. If this is the case, you are advised to check the validity – certificates issued
before a certain date must be replaced if a new owner wishes to export the goods.
What are my first steps? How do I plan this process and how long might it take?
You must first obtain the certificate/authorisation for export under French legislation from
the cultural authorities. Only then can you apply for the EU export licence, which is delivered
by the customs authorities.
The application for an export certificate/authorisation under French law must be made
through the Bureau at the DMF and, depending on the type of cultural goods, may need
to be addressed to one of the other specialist directorates. You should contact them for
information on how to present the dossier and what application form to use.
According to the Law, the Minister of Culture and Communications must issue or refuse a
certificate within four months of an application. Information available elsewhere suggests that
it normally takes around one month to issue a certificate. The French Customs website does
advise that it can take a long time to issue a certificate but the cultural authorities should be
able to inform you on how long your particular application may take. Note that if the goods
were imported into France less than 50 years ago, a certificate will automatically be issued.
For the EU export licence, the application form is available at:
http://www.minefi .gouv.fr/formulaires/douanes/biens/index-d.htm
The reference number for the form is CERFA no. 11 033*03 (Demande d’autorisation
d’exportation des biens culturels).
The EU licence application form can be filled in online. It must be returned to the SETICE
section of the French customs authorities and they issue the EU export licence. Note that
you must obtain the certificate (or AST – authorisation for temporary exit) before you apply
for the EU export licence. The certificate/authorisation must be submitted with your
application form.
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