Consultation on Export Licensing for Cultural Objects

The Department for Culture Media and Sport saught views about the proposal to i) amend the Open General Export Licence (Objects of Cultural Interest) and ii) publish written guidance on procedures for temporary export licences for cultural goods through this consultation.

We propose to amend the Open General Export Licence (Objects of Cultural Interest) (OGEL) so that it will include cultural objects which are i) not in free circulation or ii) have been recommended by the Spoliation Advisory Panel to be returned to the claimant, which will remove the need for exporters to apply for an individual UK licence in these circumstances. This will reduce the burden on exporters and the administrative burden of the Export Licensing Unit and will bring the UK export licensing regime for cultural objects closer in line with the EU licensing regime. We also propose to amend the OGEL to reflect a more effective procedure, currently being used in practice, with regard to objects relating to: (i) any British historical personage and (ii) articles of clothing, footwear or manufactured textiles.

We propose to set out our policy for temporary licences in written guidance in the interests of good practice and consistency and to close the loophole that leads to the long-term or indefinite loss to the UK of cultural goods of ‘outstanding national importance’.