What is considered cultural property in Italy?
The cultural property includes objects of paleontological, pre- and early historical, numismatic interest, manuscripts, autographs, letters, incunabula, books, prints, engravings and matrices, maps, scores, photographs, film strips, sound and image carriers as well as immovable objects. Some objects are under special protection, for example works of art created more than 70 years ago by artists who are no longer alive, photos and films older than 25 years, as well as over 75-year-old means of transport and over 50-year-old goods, equipment and instruments of historical, scientific or technical interest.
What are the export regulations?
Cultural property in state, church and other collections is under a general export ban. In the case of privately owned cultural property, the Ministry of Cultural Property and Cultural Activities decides to what extent an export ban applies.
What sanctions are there?
The Code of Cultural and Landscape Property provides for criminal sanctions and fines if the relevant regulations are violated. This is regulated in Articles 165, 166 and 174.
