The tables below indicate the value thresholds above which it is
necessary to obtain licences to export art and antiques from the
UK. Different limits apply depending on whether the destination is
within or outside the European Union.
This is intended as a rough guide only. For a complete guide to
export regulations go to www.artscouncil.org.uk, the website of the
Arts Council, or the government's Cultural Property Advice website.
Above: an Edward VI silver-gilt mounted Rhenish salt-glazed
tankard which sold at Christie's in London in 2009 for £175,250
(including premium). Following an initial deferral period, the new
owner was subsequently granted an export license to take it out of
the UK.
Export Licence thresholds for export of
cultural goods to countries outside the European Union.
1. Archaeological objects over 100 years old:
£Zero
2. Elements of artistic, historical or
religious monuments over 100 years old which have been dismantled:
£Zero
3a. Pictures and paintings, other than those
included in category 3b or 4: £103,000
3b. Watercolours, gouaches and pastels:
£20,600
4. Mosaics other than those in categories 1 or
2, and drawings in any medium: £10,200
5. Engravings, prints, serigraphs and
lithographs with their respective plates and original posters:
£10,200
6. Sculptures or statuary and copies produced
by the same process, other than those in category 1: £34,300
7. Photographs, films and negatives thereof:
£10,200
8. Incunabula and manuscripts, including maps
and musical scores, singly or in collections: £Zero
9. Books more than 100 years old: £34,300
10. Printed maps more than 200 years old: £10,200
11. Archives, and any elements thereof, of any
kind or any medium over 50 years old: £Zero
12a. Zoological, botanical, mineralogical or
anatomical collections or specimens: £34,300
12b. Historical, palaeontological, ethnographic
or numismatic collections: £34,300
13. Means of transport over 75 years old:
£34,300
14. Any other items more than 50 years old not
included in categories 1 to 13: £34,300
Export Licence thresholds for the export
of cultural goods from the UK to countries within the European
Union.
1. Any item over 50 years of age (excluding
objects listed in categories 2-10 below): £65,000
2. Archaeological material found in UK soil or
UK territorial waters over 50 years old: £Zero
3. Manuscripts, documents and archives
(excluding printed matter) over 50 years old: £Zero
4. Architectural, scientific and engineering
drawings produced by hand over 50 years old: £Zero
5. Photographic positive or negative or any
photographs over 50 years old: £10,000
6. Textiles (excluding carpets and tapestries)
over 50 years old: £12,000
7. Portrait or likeness over 50 years old of a
British historical person: £10,000
8. Firearm over 100 years old and any other
arms or armour: £35,000
9. Firearm between 50 and 100 years of age:
£65,000
10. Painting in oil or tempera over 50 years
old (excl. portraits of British historical persons): £180,000
The UK government retains the right to defer the granting of an
export license. This is used to delay the export of items deemed of
national importance under specified criteria in order to allow time
for funds to be raised to keep them in the UK.
Where an item, intended for export, is deemed to meet the one or
more of the three 'Waverley' criteria, the export reviewing
committee will normally recommend that the decision on the export
licence application should be deferred for a specified period.
An offer may then be made from within the United Kingdom at, or
above, the recommended fair market price either by museums, public
bodies or individuals.
The three Waverley criteria are:
History
Is it so closely connected with our history and national life
that its departure would be a misfortune?
Aesthetics
Is it of outstanding aesthetic importance?
Scholarship
Is it of outstanding significance for the study of some
particular branch of art, learning or history?
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