On July 13th of 2017, the European Commission proposed new rules to stop imports in the Union of cultural goods illicitly exported from their country of origin (see the press release). 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. Because of their value, it is very important to protect cultural goods from illegal trafficking.
Why is it important to protect Cultural goods?
The importance of the trade in cultural goods is two-fold:
- Cultural goods possess an important artistic, historical or archaeological value for their country of origin and are part of that country’s cultural heritage, which needs to be protected and preserved.
- Valuable artworks, sculptures and archaeological artefacts are often illegally obtained, sold and imported into the EU from conflict-zones. This illicit trafficking is known to be linked to terrorism financing, tax avoidance and money laundering.
What are the main features of this proposed law on the import of cultural goods?
- A new common EU definition for ‘cultural goods’at importation which covers a broad range of objects including archaeological finds, ancient scrolls, the remains of historical monuments, artwork, collections and antiques. The new rules will apply only to cultural goods which are at least 250 years old at the moment of importation;
- The introduction of 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.
Importers will have to obtain import licences from the competent authorities in the EU country where the goods are imported, before bringing such goods into the EU;
- 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 from the third country.
- Customs authorities will also have the power to seize and retain goods when it cannot be demonstrated that the cultural goods in question have been legally exported.
When can the import of a cultural good be deemed illicit?
The import of cultural goods into the EU can be considered illicit when those goods have been exported from a non-EU country illegally. It is the laws of the exporting country, be it the source country or an intermediate country which is a UNESCO Convention signatory, which will determine this.
However, for cultural goods exported from a third country which is neither the source country nor an intermediate country having signed and ratified the UNESCO Convention, the importer will have to prove that the initial export from the source country was licit.
Cultural goods imported from Iraq or Syria are already considered illegal where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the goods have been removed without the consent of their legitimate owner or have been removed in breach of national or international law. Such imports are in violation of the prohibitions laid down by Regulations (EC) No 1210/2003 and (EU) No 36/2012
Press conference by Commissioner Pierre Moscovici
Follow the press conference opening remarks by Pierre Moscovici, Member of the EC in charge of Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs.
What are the next steps?
The proposal will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for adoption.
Cultural Goods exported from the EU
With the creation of the internal market on 1 January 1993 and the abolition of internal borders, European Union Member States were unable to prevent their national treasures leaving the EU through another Member State. Two pieces of legislation were developed to prevent illicit trade in cultural goods.
- Council Regulation (EC) No 116/2009 on the export of cultural goods ensures uniform controls at the EU’s external borders by subjecting the export to the presentation of an export licence which is obtained with the competent authorities in the Member States and valid throughout the EU.
- List of authorities empowered to issue export licences for cultural goods (+ amendment)
- List of Customs offices empowered to handle formalities for the exportation of cultural goods
- European Parliament and Council Directive 2014/60/EU on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State introduced arrangements enabling Member States to secure the return to their territory of cultural objects removed in breach of national measures
Background information: Fight against illicit trafficking in cultural goods
Internationally, the fight against illicit trafficking in cultural goods is regulated by various instruments, the most preeminent of which is the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. This Convention has, amongst others, the purpose of enabling the international community to protect cultural property against damage, theft, clandestine excavations, illicit import, export and transfer of ownership and trafficking.
25 out of 28 EU Member States are parties to the Convention.
Useful links
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and cultural Organizations – UNESCO
- Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property
- Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
- UNESCO Cultural Heritage Laws Database
- International Council of Museums website on Fighting Illicit Traffic
- International Council on Monuments and Sites – ICOM
- INTERPOL website on trafficking in illicit goods and counterfeiting
- World Customs Organization – WCO
This blog entry was copied from the European Commission.
EAA-Committee on the Illicit Trade in Cultural Material 