Import of cultural goods into the European Union

From 28 June 2025, stricter rules will apply to certain cultural goods. If you import these, you will need an import licence or importer's statement. 

The new rules will better protect cultural heritage from outside the European Union. It also prevents illicit trafficking in cultural goods, in particular those that can contribute to the financing of terrorism.

The question of whether the export is legal or illegal must be determined in the first instance on the basis of the legal and regulatory provisions of the country where the cultural goods were manufactured or discovered.

What is the basis for this new regulation?

Regulation (EU) 2019/880 of 17 April 2019 lays down the conditions and procedures applicable to the introduction and import of cultural goods with a view to protecting the cultural heritage of mankind and preventing illicit trade in cultural goods, in particular where such illicit trafficking could contribute to the financing of terrorism.

The properties are listed in the different parts of the Annex:

• part A: ban unless goods have been legally exported
• part B: import licence (unless exceptional cases)
• part C: importer’s statement (unless exceptional cases)

What is the scope of Regulation (EU) 2019/880?

Ban

As of 28 December 2020, it is prohibited to import cultural goods listed in Part A of the Annex if those goods have been removed from their country of origin in violation of the legislation of that country. This applies to goods that were found or manufactured there.

Import licence

You may only import cultural goods listed in Part B of the Annex if you have an import licence. This concerns goods that are over 200 years old, regardless of their value.

Importer’s statement

You may only import cultural goods listed in Part C of the Annex if you submit an importer statement. This concerns goods that are older than 250 years with a minimum value of 18,000 euros each.

The importer's statement is :

1. a signed statement stating that the good has been legally exported;
2. a standardised document with a detailed description of the object to enable identification and risk analysis.

How to submit an application for an import licence or an importer's declaration?

From 28 June 2025, you will be able to upload and submit the importer’s declarations and import licences via the ICG system (PDF, 452.82 KB). This electronic system is part of the TRACES NT platform.

In order to submit your application (PDF, 5.11 MB), you need to register via the TRACES NT  web portal.

Customs offices

Only the customs offices of Antwerp, Brussels, Grâce-Hollogne and Zaventem can receive customs declarations for the import of cultural goods.

What are the exceptions and exemptions?

Certain cultural goods do not require an import licence or importer statement. This applies to the following cases:

• reimport of cultural goods;
• import of cultural goods for the exclusive purpose of ensuring their safekeeping by, or under the supervision of, a public authority, with the intent to return those cultural goods, when the situation so allows;
• temporary admission of cultural goods, within the meaning of Article 250 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, into the customs territory of the Union for the purpose of education, science,  conservation, restoration, exhibition, digitisation, performing arts, research conducted by academic institutions or cooperation between museums or similar institutions

Please note: Always check that an updated and consolidated version of the legislation is available.

For more information, please contact:
FPS Economy, SMEs, Self-employed and Energy
Directorate-General for Economic Analysis and International Economy
Licensing Department
Vooruitgangstraat 50
1210 Brussels
Email : icg-belgium@economie.fgov.be