Requirement to declare cultural property when goods are imported, in transit or exported or stored in a customs warehouse or bonded warehouse
Since the introduction of the CPTA (Cultural Property Transfer Act), cultural property must be declared as such and in detail at customs.
The requirements regarding the import, transit and export, which were introduced by the CPTA, allow cultural property which crosses national borders to be controlled and followed more closely.
The document “FAQ” published by the Specialized Body for the International Transfer of Cultural Property provides answers to the most frequent questions surrounding the import, transit and export of cultural property to and from Switzerland.
The storage of cultural property in a customs storage facility is considered an import in the terms of the CPTA and requires also a written declaration to the customs authorities (art. 19 KGTG, art. 26 CPTO).
Latest: Revision of the Cultural Property Transfer Ordinance in force since 1 January 2026
The Cultural Property Transfer Ordinance (CPTO, SR 444.11) outlines the implementation provisions of the Cultural Property Transfer Act (CPTA) and came into force on 1 June 2005. The Cultural Property Transfer Ordinance (CPTO) has not been extensively revised since it came into force and after 20 years of practical implementation a revision was deemed necessary. Amendments have been made, among others, with regard to import, export and transit declarations at customs. In addition to the previous information requirements (such as “typology of the cultural property” and “as accurate information as possible on the place of manufacture or, in the case of archaeological or palaeontological excavations or discoveries, on the place where the cultural object was discovered”) details on the “dating of the cultural property” (let. c; e.g. 500 BC), as well as the “dimensions” (let. d; height, width, depth, circumference) are also now needed. The improved data quality in the customs declaration aim to optimise the execution of the law. Further information on requirements relating to customs declarations can be found at FAQ – Frequently asked questions regarding the application of the CPTA_pdf. (PDF, 438 kB, 25.02.2026) The revised ordinance came into force on 1 January 2026.
The revised ordinance text and accompanying explanations can be found in the Official Compilation of Federal Legislation (available in the official languages):
Latest: EU regulation on the introduction and the import of cultural goods from third countries
The European Commission has adopted measures to protect cultural property coming from third countries in response to the illegal trade in cultural property and the looting of archaeological sites as well as illegal excavations. The Regulation (EU) 2019/880 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the introduction and the import of cultural goods (EU import regulation) protects cultural property from third countries against illegal introduction and import into the customs area of the European Union. The European Commission was to implement a fully digital system for the import process. The legal implementation date for the use of this system was 28 June 2025.
This regulation is also relevant to Switzerland, as it governs the introduction and import of cultural property from Switzerland to the EU.
The fact sheet provides an overview of the contents of the regulation plus a list of contact points for further information.
Last modification 06.01.2026
Contact
Federal Office of Culture
Specialised Body for the International Transfer of Cultural Property and looted art
Hallwylstrasse 15
3003
Bern
Phone
+41 58 462 03 25