News

European Union law

French auction reform closer to reality as bill passes through Paris’ Senate

01 November 2019

A draft bill recommending further reform to the French auction system has passed through the Senate in Paris.

Art and antiques dealers take government to court over Ivory Act

16 October 2019

“No reputable dealer wants to see elephants dead” was among the opening remarks by the QC acting for a group of dealers and collectors challenging the Ivory Act 2018, at the High Court today.

Revised anti-money laundering rules: five tips for auctioneers at the NAVA Forum

15 October 2019

A change to EU law, requiring auction houses, dealers and agents in art and antiques to carry out checks on transactions and customers, will come into force in January 2020 – regardless of Brexit.

Art Business Conference highlights: changing auction buyers and the challenges of European export regulations

05 September 2019

Held at Church House Conference Centre in Westminster, the 2019 Art Business Conference took place yesterday just a stones throw from parliament where politicians were discussing a bill ruling out a no-deal Brexit.

EU cultural goods bill is ‘blow’ to market – but full impact may not be felt until 2025

29 April 2019

The art and antiques trade has described the introduction of new controls on the import of cultural goods as a “considerable blow” to the market.

Shippers welcome new EU grace period for imports and exports in the event of a no-deal Brexit

04 April 2019

Art shippers have welcomed European Union laws that create a grace period for UK hauliers until the end of 2019.

MEPs raise concerns over ‘freeports' for storing art

25 March 2019

Members of the European Parliament on a special committee for financial crime and tax evasion have warned of the art market potentially being used as “a suitable vehicle for illegal activity”, according to a report.

French trade bodies call on President Macron to stop UK art market gaining an advantage from Brexit

08 February 2019

Members of the trade federation Conseil National du Marché de l’Art (CNMA) have published an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron and the French government calling for changes to stop France’s art market losing out to the UK after Brexit.

Antiques and antiquities trade fear extra red tape from EU bill on cultural objects

21 January 2019

The European Parliament is to vote on a new law this week that would introduce extra red tape for dealers in antiques and antiquities operating within the European Union.

No deal Brexit has “grave risks” for European art and antiques sector, warns trade body

29 October 2018

The UK government’s Brexit documents reveal that in the event of a no-deal with the European Union it will not be aligned with EU regulations on cross-border trade for cultural property.

UK government to hire more than a thousand Border Force workers in preparation for possibility of ‘no deal’ Brexit

23 August 2018

Brexit minister Dominic Raab revealed the government has hired an extra 300 staff for the Home Office’s Border Force ready for the UK’s exit from the European Union and will recruit another 1000 “ready to deal with any increase in work”.

EU proposals for the crackdown on cultural goods imports delayed

06 August 2018

The European Union’s plan to introduce new laws on the import of cultural goods, due to be voted on this summer, has been delayed until September.

New money laundering regulation a “disproportionate burden” on art and antiques businesses

27 April 2018

A European Union update to current anti-money laundering regulation designed to tackle terrorist financing risks will place an extra administrative burden on art and antiques businesses, warn trade associations.

Proposed EU cultural goods bill ‘unworkable’ say trade bodies

16 April 2018

Book dealers seek change to 250-years-old clause in proposed import licensing law.

Credit card fees banned from January

24 July 2017

Auctioneers and dealers will have to decide whether to absorb the cost of credit card transactions or pass them on to buyers in another form when a ban on all such fees comes into force in January 2018.

Dealers and auctioneers banned from adding card charges to buyers in UK law change

19 July 2017

New rules coming into force in January 2018 mean that dealers and auctioneers can no longer add extra charges to cover credit or debit card fees when processing transactions.

Arts minister says he will "do all he can to support" art market interests

19 July 2017

The new arts minister John Glen MP has vowed he will do all he can to support the art market’s interests in government.

Money laundering: know the rules

17 July 2017

The art and antiques sector is a target for money launderers and the industry must be aware of new regulations, a leading anti-corruption group has said.

Droit de suite: Court says seller must pay levy

05 April 2017

The way Droit de Suite is applied in France was affirmed by a French court ruling last month.

Brexit hopes of Artist’s Resale Right demise may be premature – but it could be amended