The European Commission has proposed new rules to stop imports of cultural goods illicitly exported from their country of origin.
Cultural goods are items of which countries consider that they have great artistic, historical or archaeological value and which belong to the country’s cultural heritage.
The main features of the proposed law are:
- A new common EU definition for ‘cultural goods’ at importation which covers a broad range of objects which are at least 250 years old at the moment of importation
- a new licensing system for the import of cultural goods which are known to be most at risk, such as archaeological objects, parts of monuments and ancient manuscripts and books. For other categories of cultural goods, importers will have to submit a signed statement or affidavit as proof that the goods have been exported legally; and
- Customs authorities will also have the power to seize and retain goods.
The proposal will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for adoption.