Export restrictions and licences
Poland is known to have strong laws forbidding export of objects of art older than 50 years.
Now, since June 2010 according to the new regulation export of art objects is subject also to their market value .
Update as of 2020.
Administrative delays when applying for export permit from Poland extended recently to unbelievable period of several months, in some cases more than a year . Due to this fact we cannot guarantee our foreign clients to provide export permit in respectable delays. Please consider this fact if you intend to bid with us.
However the limits stated below are still valid.
There are two factors that affect the export possibility : age (limit of 50 years) and value.
Depending on the media of an item, there are value limits below which export is free of charge and time consuming paperwork.
For example:
- limit to paintings is set to 40 000 pln
- paper works limit = 16 000 pln
- drawings limit = 12 000 pln
- sculptures limit = 20 000 pln
- photographs, maps, books limit= 1500 euro
Limits include all costs as auction premium.
| If an object is: | |
| older than 50 years and its value < limit
or younger than 50 years regardless value |
no special action required |
| older than 50 years AND value > limit | export licence is obligatory |
Since 2012 the licence may be delivered for a State flat fee amounting to 25 euro, provided the lot is not classified as a part of national heritage .
In some rare cases, when the object is of great cultural value for the Polish State , the licence may be refused at all.
Collecting personal information
We are also obliged by law to collect the personal data of buyers (address, id no) spending or receiving by sale, amounts exceeding 15 000 euro (or equivalent in Pln).
