Export of Cultural Assets

Rare works of art, objects of importance to cultural history, books, manuscripts, documents and the like may not be taken out of Denmark without permission. This is decreed in the Act on Protection of Cultural Assets in Denmark.

Permission must be obtained in order to export:

• Cultural objects from the period before 1660
• Cultural objects older than 50 years and valued at DKK 150,000 or more
• Photographs (regardless of age) with a value of DKK 30,000 or more.

In exceptional cases the Minister for Culture can decide that the Act is also applicable to other objects of cultural interest.

The Commission on Export of Cultural Assets decides whether an export licence is to be granted. The Commission consists of five members, of whom four sit ex officio as heads of the four national institutions in the area. The fifth member is appointed by the Minister for Culture for a period of four years from among the leaders of non-state-owned museums in Denmark.

The Commission on Export of Cultural Assets is serviced by a secretariat located at the Heritage Agency of Denmark.

You can read more about the Commission on the Website of the Commission on Export of Cultural Assets.