EU Antiquities Law: Dealers & New Regulations
The new EU antiquities law, taking effect June 28, substantially overhauls the art market, placing new burdens on dealers of artworks and antiquities over 200 years old. Regulation EU 2019/880 demands thorough provenance research and documentation from European auction houses and galleries. This impacts the trade of cultural goods, adding increased paperwork and costs.Dealers face compliance challenges, particularly for less valuable items, as determining their precise origin proves challenging.Anti-money laundering rules also add to the complexity. The changes may counteract initiatives that aimed to ease trade and impact costs and delays. Stay informed with News Directory 3 as these regulations reshape the art world. Discover what’s next for the international art market.
EU Antiquities Regulation Adds Burdens to Art Market
Updated June 10, 2025
A new regulation set to take effect across the European Union on June 28 will significantly impact the trade of antiquities and artworks older than 200 years. Regulation EU 2019/880 mandates that European auction houses,galleries,and antique dealers provide thorough provenance research and documentation for cultural goods originating outside the EU. This measure expands on a 2019 regulation designed to combat terrorism financing through illicit art and artifact sales. It also addresses growing global scrutiny of objects potentially looted during colonial periods.
Art lawyer Leila A. Amineddoleh said the new regulation places additional burdens on the art market, increasing paperwork and costs. While the goals of combating terrorism and illicit trafficking are commendable, Amineddoleh noted the regulation could disproportionately affect less expensive artworks, as collectors may hesitate to invest additional resources in items valued under $100,000. She added that determining the precise origin and lawful acquisition of pieces centuries old poses inherent compliance challenges.
According to Amineddoleh, establishing rightful ownership and clean provenance can be tough because not everyone keeps proof of ownership. When antiquities are looted, records of origin may not exist, making it hard to prove theft. Historians and experts play a crucial role in uncovering the origins and ownership history of these works.
The regulation allows limited legal adaptability.If the country of origin cannot be resolute, importers can provide evidence that the cultural goods were lawfully exported from the last country where they resided for at least five years.
European dealers already face commercial pressure from U.S. tariffs introduced in April 2025, which placed a 20% duty on imports from the EU. while fine art is exempt, the tariffs apply to antiquities and collectibles. the new regulation is expected to increase costs and delays due to more complex procedures. Countries like Italy, with stricter cultural heritage laws, are more accustomed to this bureaucracy, where any item by an artist deceased over 70 years requires an export license, potentially preventing its departure.
Edmondo di Robilant, co-founder of Robilant+Voena, said that while his gallery prides itself on thorough provenance research, the new directive is concerning.He noted that post-Brexit regulations have already made transporting artworks cumbersome and expensive. Di Robilant added that while he understands the rationale behind the laws, they add to the burden of running a buisness. He affirmed the gallery’s commitment to providing the fullest possible provenance for its artworks.
While Directive 2022/542 aimed to ease trade by harmonizing VAT rates on art across the EU, making artworks and antiques eligible for reduced rates by January 1, 2025, the new regulation may counteract this by increasing costs and timelines.
In December 2024, the UN General Assembly recognized a surge in illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts and required member states to develop legal frameworks for restitution and prevent illicit trade. UNESCO is also developing a “Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects,” set to launch in 2025.
The global antiquity market has historically operated with minimal due diligence. However,recent regulations at the EU and international levels are rapidly changing this.
Directive (EU) 2018/843, or the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD5), requires art dealers, galleries, and auction houses to comply with anti-money laundering regulations for transactions of €10,000 or more.This has forced dealers to expand staff to handle compliance, including verifying buyer identity, identifying beneficial owners, and assessing the origin of funds. Entities must also retain transaction records for five years and report suspicious activity to national Financial intelligence units (FIUs). The upcoming EU Anti-money Laundering Authority (AMLA) will further centralize and enforce compliance by 2026.
Failure to comply with AML procedures is already having consequences. U.K. art dealer Oghenochuko ojiri was recently sentenced to two years and six months in prison for failing to disclose sales to Nazem Ahmad, who has been under U.S.sanctions as 2019 for alleged ties to Hezbollah. Ojiri pleaded guilty to failing to disclose potential terrorist financing, having sold nearly £140,000 worth of artworks to Ahmad.
What’s next
The art market faces increasing scrutiny and regulation. Dealers must adapt to new compliance demands,including enhanced due diligence and anti-money laundering measures,to navigate the evolving legal landscape and ensure the legitimate trade of antiquities and artworks.