US Import Duties on Chinese Antiques

Peter Dekker · 23rd January 2020, 10:51 AM

Some notes on China:

Officially, "cultural heritage" cannot be exported outside of China. But, as is the case in more national and international regulations regarding antiques, it is not very clear what "cultural heritage" is.

Surely, the customs officers do not know so there have been cases of tourist curios being confiscated out of fear they were antiques, and genuine antiques passed through because they were not thought of as important items by whoever was in charge that day.

Over the whole, Chinese dealers have long been able to export arms and armor because nobody cared about them. Regulations are tightening now, not to preserve them, but because regulations on shipping weapons in general are being tightened in China.

Over the whole, in dealing with Chinese arms I have found the best pieces have been out of China for a long time. If you find something in China it is either priced very high as there is a strong local demand for them, or they are of very bad quality and condition and better pieces can be had in Europe of the USA for less, given time and patience.

23rd January 2020, 10:51 AM	#1
Peter Dekker Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kingdom of the Netherlands Posts: 63	Some notes on China: Officially, "cultural heritage" cannot be exported outside of China. But, as is the case in more national and international regulations regarding antiques, it is not very clear what "cultural heritage" is. Surely, the customs officers do not know so there have been cases of tourist curios being confiscated out of fear they were antiques, and genuine antiques passed through because they were not thought of as important items by whoever was in charge that day. Over the whole, Chinese dealers have long been able to export arms and armor because nobody cared about them. Regulations are tightening now, not to preserve them, but because regulations on shipping weapons in general are being tightened in China. Over the whole, in dealing with Chinese arms I have found the best pieces have been out of China for a long time. If you find something in China it is either priced very high as there is a strong local demand for them, or they are of very bad quality and condition and better pieces can be had in Europe of the USA for less, given time and patience.