China export restrictions of cultural objects

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China Export Restrictions of Cultural Relics

Cultural objects and China export restrictions

Export forbidden:

Antiques made 1911 or earlier
Cultural products of minorities made 1949 or earlier
Export restrictions are mainly meant for genuine antiques -- however replicas that have research value or a high artistic value can also be restricted.
If the export is allowed but other government departments have other related regulations regarding prohibited items of export, these regulations will be followed.

Remarks:
(3) above means that the export of any cultural item can be prohibited if the government thinks it has any high cultural or research value in view to craftsmanship, etc., even if it is more recently made.
(4) means that if you have an antique item that would be permitted according to antique export regulations, but another government department has restrictions (for example export restrictions on wood, metal or another material), then an item cannot be exported even if it were allowed in view to the antique export regulations.

With other words, you can never be completely sure that you can export an antique craft or art object. And, apparently there have been cases where antiques less than 100 years old were not allowed out, simply because their age and craftmanship resembled those of antiques from 100 years ago.

There are exceptions to the above, though. Anything that has a wax seal

(or jianding seal) from one of the Wenwuguan may be exported, even if it is over 100 years old. Obviously, they let you only export items that are plenty, or have little historical, cultural or artistic value.

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