Taking antiquities out of China
Export of Chinese cultural relics is prohibited under the Law on Protection of Cultural Relics (2002). Items over 100 years old cannot be exported; items 50–100 years old require NCHA permit.
Details
China's Law on Protection of Cultural Relics (2002, revised 2017) prohibits export of Grade 1, 2, or 3 nationally protected relics and any item over 100 years old. Items 50–100 years old require a cultural relic exit inspection certificate (wenwu churujing shenhe) from NCHA (National Cultural Heritage Administration). Criminal Law Article 151 imposes 5–15 years imprisonment or life imprisonment for serious smuggling of cultural relics. China is a UNESCO 1970 and UNIDROIT 1995 Convention signatory.
Quantity limits
All items over 100 years prohibited; items 50–100 years require NCHA permit assessment
Documentation required
- NCHA cultural relic exit inspection certificate (wenwu churujing shenhe)
- Purchase or provenance documentation
- Classification certificate from NCHA-authorised appraiser
The other direction
Bringing antiquities into China(prohibited)