The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has shared this briefing note on new regulations around importing cultural goods into the EU and NI. You’ll also find links and guidance if you need any further information.
What is happening?
- From 28 June 2025, you may require an import licence or an importer statement to import cultural goods into the EU and Northern Ireland from non-EU countries including from Great Britain.
- These new requirements do not apply to imports into Great Britain.
When will I need an import licence or importer statement?
- You may need an import licence or importer statement to import cultural goods which were created or discovered outside the territory of the EU or Northern Ireland, or which are not returned EU or Northern Ireland goods within the meaning of the Union Customs Code, and which fall within one of the relevant categories of cultural goods and are above the relevant age and value threshold for that category.
- Some imports may be exempt from the requirement for an import licence or importer statement if they are imported under temporary admission for certain purposes and the importing institution has registered to use the exemption.
- For cultural goods in transit, an application for an import licence (if applicable) should be submitted to the competent authority of the first state in which the goods cease to be in transit and enter into free circulation or another customs procedure. The import licence, importer statement or exemption (as applicable) should be presented to the authorities of that state.
Where will I find the categories of cultural goods which require an import licence or importer statement?
- The categories are set out in Part B (import licences) and Part C (importer statements) of the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2019/880 on the introduction and the import of cultural goods.
How do I apply for an import licence or an importer statement?
- Import licences, importer statements and temporary admission exemptions for all EU countries and for Northern Ireland will be managed in the new EU Import of Cultural Goods (ICG) IT system which will be accessed through the TRACES NT platform.
- You will be able to apply for an import licence from the competent authority of the country of importthrough the ICG system.
- You will also be able to set up importer statements and temporary admission exemptions in the ICG system.
- In order to set up a user account for the ICG system, you will need to be registered as an economic operator and have an EU or Northern Ireland (XI) EORI number.
- For both import licences and importer statements you will need evidence of the lawful provenance of the goods being imported, such as an export licence from the country in which the goods were created or discovered or the most recent country in which the goods were lawfully held for at least 5 years.
Who is the UK competent authority for Northern Ireland?
- Arts Council England (ACE) is the UK competent authority and will be responsible for issuing import licences and approving requests to use the temporary admission exemption for imports into Northern Ireland.
Where can I find more information?
- The new requirements are set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/880 on the introduction and the import of cultural goods and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1079 laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2019/880.
- The European Commission has published further information on its website, together with this Q&A document.
- Further information and guidance on importing cultural goods into Northern Ireland, will be provided on ACE’s website in due course.
- Information on EORI numbers and how to get an EORI number is available on the UK government website.
- For imports into the EU, you should contact the relevant authorities in the EU state where the cultural goods will be imported.
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