Artefacts, archives, antiques, cultural items and grave-related items

Restricted

• Sellers listing items of potential Treasure found in England and Wales before 24 September 1997 should be able to provide proof that the items were reported under the law of Treasure Trove.

• Sellers listing items of potential Treasure found in England and Wales on or after 24 September 1997 should be able to provide proof that the items were reported under the Treasure Act.

• Sellers must be able to provide either Crown Disclaimer documents or the find's Treasure number and include these within their listing. Finds that do not fall under the definition of Treasure, but are recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme will have a unique reference number, which sellers should list.

• Sellers listing items found in Scotland should include a disclaimer certificate in the listing that shows items have been reported and that they have been given legal entitlement to be sold.

• Sellers listing items found in Northern Ireland should produce certification in their listing to show the items have been reported to the Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service or to the Ulster Museum.

• Sellers listing items found in the Republic of Ireland should be able to provide evidence that the items were properly reported under the National Monuments Act. Since ownership of archaeological objects automatically vests in the Irish State, sellers should also be able to provide evidence of a waiver of ownership from the relevant Minister.

In all cases sellers should state the origin of the archaeological objects

Not allowed

• Archaeological law finds that haven't been reported in accordance with applicable law.

Not allowed

• Public records and related documents

Allowed

• Export of stamps, birth, marriage or death certificates, letters written by or to the exporter

• Export of personal property by manufacturer or producer

Restricted

• Export of antiquities and other cultural goods is subject to both UK, Irish and EU controls:

  • Under UK law, any item manufactured or produced more than 50 years before the date of exportation requires an export licence. Some exceptions mentioned above exist. 

  • Under Irish law, if the item is covered by the National Monuments Acts 190-2004 , the Documents and Pictures (Regulations of Export) Act 1945 or the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 and is to be removed outside the Republic of Ireland, sellers should provide evidence that an export licence has been obtained from the relevant Minister. 

  • Under EU law, the export of cultural goods outside the EU needs an export licence.

• Sellers have to include the provenance or ownership history of the object in their listing.

Not allowed

• Tainted cultural goods illegally excavated or removed after 30 December 2003 (UK's Dealing in Cultural Object (Offences) Act 2003).

• Looted or stolen goods.  The International Council of Museums’ Red Lists Database identifies categories of cultural goods most vulnerable to illicit traffic.

Allowed

• Cave formations lawfully taken from private land

Restricted

• Speleothems, stalactites and stalagmites taken from caves which have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest ('SSSI') if a prior consent has been obtained from Natural England.

Not allowed

• Speleothems, stalactites and stalagmites taken from caves designated as SSSI

Allowed

• New grave markers and burial plots

Not allowed

• Historical graves, tombstones and related markers