How to Send a Painting Abroad | How to Export Paintings Abroad | Required Documents

The necessity of writing such an article arises from the still-unresolved fear that exporting a hand-painted painting as a work of art may create problems for the exporter at the border.

Because only 3-4 years ago, this was a sad reality.

Thank God, since November 2021, there is a simplified procedure for exporting artistic works in the Republic of Bulgaria. The so-called “certificates,” issued by a special commission of the National Gallery, which had to accompany each painting, have been abolished, requiring both the painting and its owner to travel to Sofia.

According to a signed cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Culture and the Customs Agency, the administrative burden for exporting works of art that are not cultural valuables under the Cultural Heritage Act (CHA) has been reduced.

Today, the export of art objects not older than 50 years is done only by filling out a declaration of authorship or a declaration of origin/acquisition.

What are the options for exporting paintings abroad?

• When an artist sends a painting abroad to a client: Artists can export their works directly with only a declaration of authorship and an author’s certificate. If the paintings are traveling within the EU, the declaration of authorship is not necessary; see more information below.
• When the exporter is a gallery: Fills out a declaration of origin/acquisition, noting in the “other…” field: “gallery,” or marking the point “remunerative transfer transaction.” If the gallery is an author’s gallery, it is like point one.
• When individuals who have purchased a painting want to export it abroad: They fill out a declaration of origin, marking: “remunerative transfer transaction,” or “gift,” or “gallery,” etc. It is advisable for them to attach an author’s certificate to the declaration.
• When companies that have purchased a painting want to export it abroad: They fill out a declaration of origin, an author’s certificate, and optionally an invoice.
• Individuals with personal ownership of artworks also fill out a declaration of origin/acquisition, marking the appropriate field - “remunerative transfer transaction,” “inheritance,” “my property acquired from the author,” or “gift.”

 

From the official website of the Ministry of Culture, you can download the necessary forms:

Appendix 1, Declaration of Authorship
Appendix 2, Declaration of Origin and Acquisition Method

Personal Data When Exporting Paintings. What to Do with Your Personal Data?

These declarations contain personal data, which is a problem when the paintings do not go through customs - meaning they travel to countries within the EU. Thus, the completed documents will arrive directly to your client, who will have access to your personal data. After such a case, we sought more information from the Customs Agency. The response was that these declarations are only necessary for exporting paintings to countries outside the European Union!

However, some courier companies, such as DHL, require them to be on the safe side. In case they ask you for these documents, make sure they will not be attached and sent along with the shipment but will be kept with the courier in case of need!