Regulating the Past: The EU’s Cultural Goods Import Controls Enter into Force June 2025

Tomorrow, 28 June 2025, marks the official implementation date of Regulation (EU) 2019/880 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the introduction and the import of cultural goods.  This regulation aims to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural goods into the European Union — especially in the context of terrorism financing and organised crime and establishes a strict framework to prevent the import of cultural goods of illicit origin into the EU. 

This Regulation applies only to cultural goods created or discovered outside of the European Union.

The regulation was introduced in response to:

• Increasing international concerns about looted antiquities (particularly from conflict zones like Syria, Iraq*),
• The use of cultural objects to fund terrorism,
• The lack of uniform rules across EU Member States regarding the import of cultural goods.

Important Requirements 

1. Import Licences

• Required for archaeological objects, parts of monuments, and other high-risk items over 250 years of age.

• Importers must present documentation proving the goods were legally exported from the country of origin (source country)

2. Importer Statements:

• For other categories of cultural goods  (e.g. art objects >200 years old and >€18,000) , importers must sign a declaration stating the items were lawfully exported, accompanied by supporting documentation.

3. Centralised electronic system (ICG):

• The EU will also begin using a centralised electronic system (ICG) to ensure transparency, traceability and effective controls.

Regulation Impact

This regulation introduces a harmonised legal framework across all EU Member States, designed to prevent the European art market from serving as a conduit for illicit antiquities. Widely welcomed by researchers and advocates working to combat the trafficking of cultural property, it nonetheless raises significant concerns among art dealers and auction houses, who caution that the new measures could impose complex and burdensome compliance requirements on legitimate trade.

While the regulation presents clear challenges—not only for market operators but also for customs officials and cultural authorities—it also offers a critical opportunity: to enhance cross-border cooperation, reinforce legal standards, and foster greater transparency and accountability in the international art market.

Whether you work in cultural heritage protection, law enforcement, customs, the legal sector, or international cooperation—now is the time to stay informed, engaged, and prepared.

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* Specific EU regulations have been implemented to provide special protection for cultural goods from conflict zones in the Iraq war (Council Regulation (EU) No 1210/2003) and the Syrian war (Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012).