Licences are required for the export and import of certain types of cultural property. Licences may be required even if the object is only to be exported or imported for a limited period, as for example in the case of an object on loan to an exhibition. The Arts Council Export Licensing Unit has responsibility for issuing export licences for objects of cultural interest on behalf of the Secretary of State for Culture. See Export Licensing Unit Guidance for up to date information about licences in specific circumstances.
This Arts Council England fact sheet details Open General Export Licence limits for the export of cultural goods. The fact sheet details the goods that may be exported from the United Kingdom to any destination except an embargoed one, and the conditions of such exports.
This fact sheet details the EU categories of different types of cultural property and their financial thresholds for export.
This fact sheet from Arts Council England contains a flowchart to help you work out what type of licence you need when exporting items of cultural property.
If you have any suspicions about an object and you believe a criminal offence has been committed, you should report it to the Customs Hotline.
This resource from the Arts Council England’s Export Licensing Unit provides information about Export Licenses and how to apply for them, as well as further guidance documents.