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Important information
American citizens services unit will not be able to answer visa-related inquiries. All questions related to visas (immigrant and non-immigrant) are answered by our Call Center. Please follow this link for their contact information.
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Antiques and Cultural Item Export Restrictions
The Ukrainian Authorities impose a strict ban on exporting certain items of cultural significance in order to preserve their national patrimony. American citizens must adhere to these restrictions as a matter of law. Please contact Kyiv Department of Culture, Expertise Section at 380 (44) 279-5647 or 380 (44) 279-6109 if you have any questions regarding items you own, wish to purchase, and/or plan to export. They are located in Kyiv at blvd. Shevchenka, 3.
Before you make up your mind to buy antique items and export them from Ukraine, please make sure that the subject item does not fall under the restrictions stated below. Bear in mind that antique items of cultural or historical value are subject to inspection by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Ukraine and further approval by the Kyiv Regional Customs Office. Check before you pack!
If you import antique items, or paintings, sculpture, furniture, carpets and personal effects that may be considered of antique origin, declare them at the border in order to avoid difficulties when you leave Ukraine. Below is a detailed listing of what is restricted based on the latest Ministry of Culture directives.
Cultural Items Prohibited for Export from Ukraine
Architectural fragments, sculptures, paintings and graphics irrespective of country of origin made before 1945 (pictures, sketches, etudes, water colors, drawings, original engravings and their replicas, manuscripts).
Fresco paintings and mosaics of all types and their fragments (of antique or archeological origin). Contemporary fine works made after 1945 are allowed for exportation. Ministry of Culture inspection required.
Miniatures made of wood, metal, bone, paper or other material. Contemporary items made after 1945 are allowed for exportation. Ministry of Culture inspection required.
Archeological artifacts and their fragments.
Icons and other religiously related valuables. Contemporary icons and other religious cult goods made after 1991 are allowed for exportation.
Rarities of all epochs made of gold, platinum, precious stones (diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, pearls, alexandrine), silver. Valuables produced before 1957 are prohibited. Items manufactured after 1957 are allowed.
Pieces of fine art made of stone: malachite, aquamarine, amethyst, topaz, turquoise, coral, high quality mother of pearl and goods ornamented with them made before 1945 inclusive.
Unique pieces of art made of ivory and walrus bones made before 1945 inclusive.
Gems, cameos, stone stamps, bones and ceramics of precious and non-precious materials made before 1945 inclusive.
National and foreign coins and collections of coins of precious and non-precious metals, bills, money erzats produced before 1960 inclusive.
Postal stamps and collections of postal stamps printed before 1970 inclusive.
Books and manuscripts translated in ex-USSR national languages before 1925 inclusive. Foreign printed books before 1880 inclusive. Foreign books and manuscripts printed from 1880 till 1945 only by permission of the Ministry of Culture. Multi volume encyclopedias, special edition handbooks and dictionaries only by permission of the Ministry of Culture.
National and foreign awards, decorations, pins (badges) and medals (with some exceptions). Exportation is allowed only if you possess proof of ownership for the awards bestowed on you or your direct heirs.
All types of national and foreign made firearms and cold steel arms manufactured before 1945 inclusive. Note that for modern firearms you must have special permission, please address this issue to RSO.
National and foreign made fine, household and scientific devices and tools made before 1945 inclusive (watches, barometers, scales, binoculars, monoculars, samovars, flatware, silverware, etc.).
National and foreign fine arts and goods made of china, pottery, ceramics, majolica, glass, crystal, beads, stone, horns, skin, bronze, copper, enamel, iron, cast iron, steel, cupronickel, tin, ornament silver, wood, lacquers and other materials created before 1945 inclusive.
National and foreign fine clothes articles, footwear and folk wear, unique fine works made of tissue before 1945 inclusive.
National and foreign wallpapers, tapestry, hand woven carpets and carpet works, hand weaving articles, fine embroidering made before 1945 inclusive.
Ancient and modern keyboard musical instruments produced by foreign manufacturers and masters: grand pianos and pianos, clavichords, physharmonicas, etc. National musical instruments made before 1945 are prohibited. National musical instruments made from 1945-1960 are allowed with Ministry of Culture permission. Those made after 1960 are allowed for exportation w/o permission. Foreign made instruments manufactured before 1920 are prohibited. Instruments made after 1920 only with Ministry of Culture permission.
National and foreign made antique furniture manufactured before 1945 inclusive. Some series or individual furniture made from 1945 till 1960 may be exported with permission of the Ministry of Culture.
Fine pieces of folk arts made before 1945 inclusive.
National keyboard, wind, bowed, ligulated and drum instruments manufactured before 1945 inclusive.
Bowed musical instruments made by known masters (especially by Italian and French masters and firms). Instruments manufactured before 1960 are prohibited for exportation. Those made after 1960 are allowed with Ministry of Culture permission.
Italian and French-made Accordions manufactured before 1960 inclusive. Accordions made after 1960 are allowed for exportation. Master crafted accordions made after 1960 exportable with Ministry of Culture permission.
Foreign made harps and wind instruments.
Antique national and foreign musical instruments as well as outstanding modern folk instruments made by known masters.
Vinyl plastic records produced before 1960 inclusive.
Original copies of tape recordings from a long term recording storage fund.
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