Apply for a specific open licence for the regular temporary export of cultural property to third countries

As the owner or legal possessor of a specific cultural asset, you can apply for a specific open licence for the export of cultural property to third countries. This is useful if you wish to export the cultural property regularly and temporarily from Germany to one or more third countries. Third countries are countries that are not part of the European Union (EU).

The export is regular if the cultural goods are to be exported to one or more third countries several times within a certain period of time.

The export is temporary if it takes place for a maximum of 5 years.

Cultural goods are, for example

• Works of art
• archaeological objects
• Archives, manuscripts
• Antiques, such as furniture, musical instruments or jewellery

Which objects count as cultural property is listed in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 116/2009 and on the website of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

The financial value of the cultural property is determined either by the price paid for the purchase or sale within the last 3 years or by a verifiable estimate of the value at the time of application within Germany.

You must prove the origin of the cultural property with proof of provenance. Suitable evidence can be, for example

• Proof of purchase or other acquisition such as
  • Purchase contracts
  • Invoices
  • Wills
• Insurance certificates
• Extracts from auction and exhibition catalogues
• old photographs showing the work

You can apply for the specific open licence from the competent authority of the federal state in which the cultural property is located.