Many artefacts, antiques and grave-related items are protected under national laws and by government bodies.
We co-operate with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Portable Antiquities Scheme, the British Museum, English Nature and the English Heritage Commission. Except as otherwise indicated in this policy and other eBay policies, please follow the guidelines issued by these departments when listing related items on eBay:
In the UK
In the Republic of Ireland
Treasure
Sellers on eBay have a legal obligation to report archaeological finds. These obligations depend on where the item was found:
for items found in England and Wales, sellers should be able to provide proof that items found before 24 September 1997 were reported under Treasure Trove or under the Treasure Act if found after that date. Sellers should be able to provide Crown Disclaimer documents and include these within their listing
for items found in Scotland, sellers should be able to provide a disclaimer certificate in their listing that shows items have been reported and that they have been given legal entitlement to be sold
for items found in Northern Ireland, sellers should produce certification in their listing to show that the items have been reported to the Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service or to the Ulster Museum
for items found in the Republic of Ireland sellers should be able to provide evidence that the items were properly reported under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004. Since ownership of archaeological objects automatically vests in the Irish State, sellers should also be able to provide evidence of a waiver of ownership from the relevant Minister
eBay may remove any listings of archaeological finds on eBay that have not been reported in accordance with applicable law. Please see our Antiquities Buying Guide.
Under the UK’s Dealing in Cultural Object (Offences) Act 2003, it is illegal to knowingly sell, buy or deal in tainted cultural objects (objects of historical, architectural or archaeological interest) illegally excavated or removed after 30 December 2003. Any items listed on eBay that breach this Act will be removed from the site.
The export of antiques and other cultural items is subject to both UK, Irish and EU controls. Under UK laws any item manufactured or produced more than 50 years before the date of exportation requires an export licence. Some exceptions to this rule include stamps, birth, marriage or death certificates, letters written by or to the exporter and the export of personal property by the manufacturer or producer.
Under Irish law, if the item is covered by the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004, the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act 1945 or the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 and is to be removed outside the Republic of Ireland, sellers should provide evidence that an export licence has been obtained from the relevant Minister.
EU law prohibits the export of cultural goods outside the EU without an export licence. Cultural goods include archaeological goods more than 100 years old; pictures and paintings over 50 years old where the value exceeds £119,000; watercolours over 50 years old where the value exceeds £23,800; mosaics over 50 years old where the value exceeds £11,900; books over 100 years old where the value exceeds £39,600; manuscripts over 50 years old whatever their value; printed maps over 200 years old where value exceeds £11,900; other items more than 100 years old where value exceeds £39,600. Please follow these general guidelines when listing related items on eBay, but for items outside this non-exhaustive list and updates on the above list please contact the Export Licensing Unit within the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on (0207) 211 6164 or visit www.culture.gov.uk. Sellers based in the Republic of Ireland should contact the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism.
Cave Formations
The removal of speleothems, stalactites and stalagmites from caves which have been designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest ("SSSIs") is prohibited unless prior consent has been obtained from English Nature. Subsequently the sale of speleothems, stalactites and stalagmites taken from caves designated as SSSIs is also prohibited.
An item lawfully removed from private land is permitted.
Historical graves, tombstones or related markers
These items may not be listed on eBay. While we recognise that some historical grave markers may be privately held within families and are legal to sell, eBay is concerned with the vandalism that has occurred in graveyards across the world.
New grave markers and burial plots
These items may be listed on eBay.
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