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Cultural Heritage
Objects
that people create or collect can be an important part of our
cultural heritage. These objects can be artistic, technological
or natural in origin.
There
is increasing trade and exchange of movable cultural heritage
between nations. This exchange can enhance international appreciation
of cultural diversity, but it can also lead to the loss of significant
aspects of a nation's cultural heritage.
Philately
falls within the category of movable cultural heritage, and any
exhibit being sent to an overseas destination, and with a value
in excess of $150,000, must apply for a temporary export permit.
Where
applicable, the Commissioner will arrange for the issue of a
permit. The Commissioner will forward the necessary form to the exhibitor to complete
and return to the Commissioner, who will lodge same on behalf
of the exhibitor.
Once
a temporary permit has been issued for an exhibit, the permit
number can be reused for all subsequent entries of that exhibit
into overseas exhibitions.
Following
is a summary of the relevant sections of the above website which
pertain to philately.
There
is a wide range of movable cultural heritage objects protected
including:
·
Indigenous
art and artifacts
·
Works
of fine and decorative art
·
Scientific
and archaeological artifacts
·
Fossils,
meteorites and minerals
·
Agricultural
and industrial heritage
·
Books,
stamps and medals
·
Historic
materials
The Protection
of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 (PMCH Act) protects Australia's heritage of movable cultural objects and supports
foreign countries' right to protect their heritage of movable
cultural objects. The PMCH Act gives effect to the 1970 UNESCO
Convention on the Means of Prohibiting the Illicit Import,
Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.
Exporting
cultural heritage objects from Australia
The
export of Australia's significant cultural heritage objects is
regulated under the PMCH Act. It is not intended to restrict
normal and legitimate trade in cultural property and does not
affect an individual's right to own or sell within Australia.
The
PMCH Act implements a system of export permits for certain heritage
objects defined as 'Australian protected objects'.
Australian
protected objects form part of the movable cultural heritage
of Australia and meet the criteria established under the National
Cultural Heritage Control List.
Movable
cultural heritage objects can be of importance to Australia for
ethnological, historical, literary, artistic, scientific or technological
reasons. If an object meets the criteria for the National Cultural
Heritage Control List, it is considered an 'Australian protected
object' and therefore requires a permit before export.
The
Control List divides protected objects into two export 'classes':
·
Class
A - objects that may not be exported
·
Class
B - objects that may be exported if granted a permit under the
Act.
Class
B Comprises objects that are of cultural significance to Australia
and require permission to be exported. The categories are:
·
Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage
- Archaeology
- Natural
Science
- Fossils
and Meteorites
- Applied
science or technology
- Heritage
Machinery
- Fine
or decorative arts
- Documentary
heritage
- Numismatics
(coins)
- Philately
(stamps)
·
Historical
significance
Permits,
general permits, and certificates of exemption
To
export a heritage object, you must apply for a permit in writing.
The
application process involves three steps:
·
The
application is referred to one or more Expert Examiners for assessment
·
These
assessments are reviewed by the National Cultural Heritage Committee,
which recommends to the Minister whether or not an export permit
should be granted
·
The
Minister makes the final decision as to whether an export permit
will be granted.
If
your application is incomplete it will be returned to you for
additional information to be added. Failure to provide all required
information will delay the consideration of your application.
Permanent
and temporary permits
To
access the form (in Microsoft Word format) needed to apply for
a permanent or temporary export permit of objects please click here.
This form is also available in PDF format by clicking
here.
The
Minister may impose conditions on a permit, such as a time limit
for the temporary export of an Australian protected object.