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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. |
