Shipping Outside the EU: How the Export Licence Works

The short version: every genuine antiquity that leaves the European Union needs a state-issued export licence. Ours take about 3 weeks. A flat €95 per order covers the licence, the customs paperwork and fully insured express delivery. This page explains why, and why we would not sell to you any other way.

Why your piece cannot simply go in the mail

Under EU law (Council Regulation 116/2009), archaeological objects may not leave the European Union without an export licence for cultural goods. There is no minimum value: the rule applies to a €150 bronze ring exactly as it applies to a museum piece. The licence is issued by the heritage authority of the member state the piece ships from; for Aurora that is the competent Belgian authority.

This is not a formality we invented, and it is not optional. It is the same body of law that protects archaeological heritage from looting and smuggling. A dealer who ships antiquities out of the EU without licences is breaking the law, however common the practice may be on large marketplaces.

What actually happens after you order

  1. Within 24 hours we confirm your order and your personal timeline by email.
  2. We prepare the licence application: identification, dating, photographs and provenance of your piece, submitted to the heritage authority.
  3. The authority reviews and issues the licence: typically about 3 weeks.
  4. Your piece ships by insured express courier: 2 to 5 business days, tracked door to door, insured for its full value.

What the flat €95 covers

  • Preparation and handling of the official export licence application
  • Full customs documentation with accurate, honest declarations
  • Insured express delivery (DHL Express or equivalent), tracked and signed for

Shipping within the EU is free: no licence is needed for EU destinations, and your piece is dispatched within 1 to 3 business days.

The licence is part of your piece's provenance

The export licence is a state document that identifies your specific object and confirms it left Europe legally. It travels with the piece and stays with it. For a collector this matters: it is independent, official paperwork that future buyers, insurers and appraisers recognise. Very few pieces on the market come with it.

Customs and import duties

Import duties or taxes in your country are set by your government and are the buyer's responsibility. In many countries, including the United States, antiques over 100 years old enter duty free or at reduced rates. We declare full, accurate values on all customs forms: under-declaring would void your insurance and is not something we do.

Questions we hear often

Can you skip the licence to ship faster?
No. Shipping an antiquity out of the EU without a licence is illegal, full stop. We would rather lose a sale than ship your piece unlawfully and put you, and the piece, at risk.
Does every piece really need one, even inexpensive ones?
Yes. For archaeological objects the EU regulation has no value threshold. Age is what counts, not price.
How long does it really take?
Typically about 3 weeks before dispatch. We confirm your personal timeline within 24 hours of your order and keep you updated if anything changes.
I want several pieces. Do I pay €95 for each?
No. One order, one shipment, one licence application, one flat €95, however many pieces you buy. Combining pieces into a single order is the smart move.
Why do so few sellers mention any of this?
Because doing it properly is slow and costs money, and many simply ship without the licence. We think handing a genuine piece of history across a border deserves the paperwork the law requires. It protects you, the piece and the archaeological record.

Full delivery details are on our Shipping & Delivery page. Questions about your destination? Write to info@auroraantiqua.com before you order and we will confirm the timeline and any country-specific rules.