Regulation (EU) 2019/880 on the introduction and the import of cultural goods

What it is

to set out the conditions and procedure for the entry of cultural goods into the customs territory of the Union. PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: currently, there are no common rules regarding the import of cultural goods from third countries, except Council Regulation (EC) No 1210/2003 concerning certain specific restrictions on economic and financial relations with Iraq and Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria , which provide for a prohibition of trade in cultural goods with these countries. The Committee on International Trade and the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted the joint report by Alessia Maria MOSCA (S&D, IT) and Daniel DALTON (ECR, UK) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the import of cultural goods. The Committee on Culture and Education, exercising its prerogative as an associated committee in accordance with Article 54 of the Rules of Procedure, also gave its opinion on the report. The committees recommended that the European Parliament's position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission's proposal as follows. Subject matter : this Regulation aims to set out the conditions and procedure for the introduction and the import of cultural goods into the customs territory of the Union. It shall apply to cultural goods which are in transit through the customs territory of the Union when competent authorities have reasonable grounds to believe that cultural goods have been exported from the source or the third country in violation of the laws and regulations of that source or third country. Introduction and import of cultural goods into the customs territory of the Union : the introduction of cultural goods removed from the territory of a source country in breach of international law and the source or the third country’s laws and regulations is prohibited . The import of cultural goods into the customs territory of the Union shall only be permitted upon the presentation of an import licence issued or of an importer statement made out in accordance with the Regulation. The successful import of cultural goods shall not be construed to be evidence of lawful provenance or ownership. The cultural goods to be presented at commercial fairs and international art fairs shall not be subject to the presentation of an import licence or an importer statement. However, should the cultural goods be acquired and remain within the territory of the Union, they should be subject to the presentation of an import licence or an importer statement, depending on the category of the cultural goods. Import licence : the competent authority of the first Member State of intended import shall verify whether the application is complete. It shall request any missing or additional information or document from the applicant within 21 days (as opposed to 30…

Frequently asked