Cultural Heritages Transfer
On 1st June 2005 the alliance law over the international cultural heritage transfer (KGTG) and the execution ordinance (KGTV) steps effective in power. The "KGTG regulates the import of cultural heritage into Switzerland, its transit and export as well as its repatriation out of Switzerland (art.1 KGTG). Switzerland wants to perform with this law a contribution to the maintenance of the cultural heritage of the humanity and wants to prevent robbery, looting and illegal import and export of cultural heritage.
Checkliste Kulturgut
The Federal Act on the International Transfer of Cultural Property (CPTA) as well as the implementing ordinance (CPTO) have entered in effect on June 1, 2005.. The CPTA regulates the import of cultural property into Switzerland, its transit and export as well as its repatriation from Switzerland (Art. 1, CPTA). With the Act, the Federal Government desires to make a contribution to the maintenance of the cultural heritage of mankind and prevent theft, looting, and illicit import and export of cultural property.
In particular, the CPTA affects the following areas:
- Protection of Swiss cultural heritage
(export of cultural property from Switzerland) - Contribution to the protection of the cultural heritage of other states
(import of cultural property into Switzerland) - Promotion of international exchanges between museums
(return guarantee for museums) - Duties of diligence for the art trade and auctioning business
The Act applies solely to cultural property.
The term 'cultural property' is defined in Art. 2, para. 2, CPTA.
- What is a cultural
property?
- Checklist 'Cultural
property'
- Cultural Property Transfer Act CPTA
- Cultural Property Transfer Ordinance CPTO
- 1970 UNESCO Convention
- Electoral message from the Federal Council on the 1970 UNESCO Convention and the Cultural Property Transfer Act (only German)
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