Yachting and Art: EU Introduces New Restrictions

The next summer season in the Mediterranean promises not only a warm breeze, but also strict customs checks. On June 28, 2025, Regulation (EU) 2019/880 on the import of cultural goods comes into force. Its goal is to stop the illegal trafficking of antiquities and fine art, which finances terrorist organizations and destroys world heritage. 

For yacht and superyacht owners, this means one thing: an Impressionist painting or a Ming vase may now raise far more questions at the border than an extra bottle of fine champagne.

What items are subject to customs control?

The document divides cultural values into three large groups:

1. Illegally exported from outside the EU: any cultural property the transport of which has been carried out in violation of the laws of the country of origin.
2. Archaeological finds over 250 years old.
3. Antiques over 200 years old cost from €18,000.

For example, an 18th century painting bought in London would fall under point 3; a marble torso raised from the seabed off Turkey would fall under point 2 and would most likely be subject to a total import ban. 

The rule does not apply to objects created or found within the borders of the European Union: the collection of the contemporary artist from Nice can travel freely. 

Two options for importing goods

The "load masterpieces in Monaco - moor in Sardinia" scheme is popular among superyacht owners. Now it is becoming much more complicated. All operations will be carried out through a single electronic portal:

• An import license must be obtained. Required for archaeology and antiquities (details in Part B of the document appendix). Application must be made in advance; the skipper or broker must upload evidence of legal export from the country of origin (export certificates, invoices, insurance). Customs has 90 days to approve or refuse.
• The Importer's Declaration is a simpler form for expensive antiques and rare manuscripts (Part C). It is enough to personally confirm the legality of the export and describe the item according to the Object ID standard.

The documents are linked to the ship's log number. That is, if the ship calls at several ports of the European Union at once, there is no need to re-issue the papers.

Exceptions to the rules for importing art

There are also a number of exceptions that do not require special documentary evidence, for example:

• Return to the EU. If the item was previously legally exported from, say, France and is returned as "returned goods", no license is required.
• Temporary import. Let's imagine that you are participating in the Cannes art fair and are taking the paintings back - a declaration is enough. But if the owner decides to leave the canvas in France, a license will have to be obtained.
• Saving Heritage: Items from war zones can be temporarily imported without formalities if they are taken under the protection of a state museum.

These three points do not create new bureaucratic problems, but the fact that an art object or antique belongs to the above-mentioned groups still needs to be proven. To be sure, contact a lawyer to accurately determine all the risks.

Fines and risks

According to the text of the declaration, each EU member state will impose its own sanctions, but the general vector is clear: confiscation and/or criminal liability. Violation of the rules is equated to smuggling or fraud. For super- and mega-yachts, this means the potential arrest of not only the canvases, but also the vessel itself until the circumstances are clarified.

The declaration also states that fines and penalties must be “effective and dissuasive” (Art. 11). Here is the usual practice of some EU countries in cases of smuggling of works of art:

• Italy - confiscation + fine €50,000,
• France - criminal case under the article on smuggling of cultural property (up to 5 years),
• Spain - administrative fine of 2-5 % from the value of the item.

What to pay attention to in order to avoid problems

Lawyers are already giving advice on how to avoid problems when importing art and antiques: 

1. Inventory. Before leaving port, make a list of the art objects on board with photos and estimated value.
2. Availability of provenance. It is necessary to prepare export licenses, auction invoices, letters from experts. Without a confirmed history, the item will not pass customs.
3. Valuation. If the antique is worth less than €18,000, it is formally out of control, but the officer has the right to doubt and request documents. Lawyers recommend having a notarized valuation with you.
4. Copies. On board you must have both originals in the safe, and paper copies, and scans in the portal's electronic account, and an electronic version on a flash drive for customs.
5. Time planning. It is recommended to allow up to three months for an archaeology license. The improvisation of "grabbed a statue in Piraeus and urgently go to Saint-Tropez" no longer works.
6. Consultant at the port. A customs broker familiar with the new regulations will save nerves and mooring fees.

Why the Yacht Market Is Worried

Superyachts have long been floating galleries: the owner prefers to show off a Monet to guests in the main cabin rather than store it in a safe. The new rules will complicate the logistics of show charters and the delivery of exhibits on board during the passage between Mediterranean art festivals. On the other hand, the new regulations introduce transparent electronic procedures and reduce the risk of running into a fake export certificate at the last minute.

Here are some other difficulties that the new regulations will bring for:

• Transport brokers: a provenance check is mandatory before loading - otherwise the trust of insurers will fall. An immediate plus to the cost of services.
• Shipbuilders: when transferring museum rarities for the interior (libraries, panels), you will have to obtain an import license at the shipyard. Plus the cost of the yacht.
• Charter fleets: Need to train skippers in basic identification of “Part B/C goods” and operation of the e-system.
• Marina operators: increased flow of requests to “competent customs offices” – marinas with declaration preparation services will gain a competitive advantage.

The main conclusion: from the summer of 2025, skippers will have to think not only about the diesel reserve, but also about the digital dossier for every figurine on the galley shelf. Otherwise, the romance of sea cruises may end at the customs dock along with a letter of confiscation. 

However, it is not just superyachts - the new regulations may also affect ordinary yachtsmen on sailing boats with complex cargo on board. To legally avoid problems, it is worth: 

1. Keep documents proving legal export from a third country.
2. Apply for an archaeological license in advance.
3. It is important to correctly assess the value of antiques (the threshold is €18,000) - and it is better to have an official valuation on board even for items below this value.

In this way, the EU hopes to stop the criminal flow of artefacts, and the yachting industry can only adapt to the new rules of the game. 
Addendum: the regulation itself was published back in 2019. However, some of its parts, including those described in this article, come into force this year. The full text of the regulation can be studied link.

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17.07.2025