On April 12, 1999, the U.S. imposed an emergency import restriction on Byzantine ecclesiastical and ritual ethnological material from Cyprus unless such material is accompanied by an export permit issued by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. On August 29, 2003, the U.S. extended this emergency import restriction through September 4, 2006.

On July 16, 2002, the Government of the U.S. and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to protect categories of Pre-Classical and Classical archaeological objects from Cyprus. As of July 19, 2002, these objects may not enter the U.S. unless such material is accompanied by an export permit issued by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.

II. Background

Materials produced during the Byzantine period illustrate the high degree of artistic achievement on Cyprus and include some of the finest pieces of Byzantine art ever produced. International recognition of certain Byzantine monuments on the island is exemplified by their inscription on the World Heritage List. Due to their great value on the U.S. and international art market, Byzantine ecclesiastical material and items of ritual significance such as icons are subject to pillage throughout Cyprus.

The bilateral agreement is in response to a request from the Government of the Republic of Cyprus seeking protection of its cultural heritage under Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Cyprus was the first country in the Mediterranean region to seek the help of the United States in protecting its cultural property.

The rich archaeological heritage of Cyprus illustrates the interaction of the island's inhabitants with neighboring societies, while maintaining a uniquely Cypriot character. Much of the history of the island from the 8th millennium B.C. to approximately 330 A.D. can be understood only from archaeological remains, as historical texts are very rare. There is a long history of documented pillage of archaeological sites in Cyprus, including evidence of current pillage; such activity jeopardizes the effort to reconstruct Cypriot culture. The MOU offers the opportunity for the U.S. and Cyprus to cooperate in reducing the incentive for further pillage thereby protecting the context of intact sites for scientific study.

III. Categories of Artifacts Subject to Import Restriction

A description of the artifacts was published by U.S. Customs on July 13, 2007, in the Federal Register. The categories of Byzantine ritual and ecclesiastical ethnological material subject to the import restriction include objects of metal, wood, ivory and bone, textiles, stone (mosaics), and frescos (wall paintings). They range in date from approximately the 4th century A.D. through approximately the 15th century A.D. The categories of the Pre-Classical and Classical archaeological objects subject to import restriction include objects of ceramic, stone, and metal, including vessels, sculpture, coins, mosaics, inscriptions, architectural elements, and jewelry. They range in date from approximately the 8th millennium B.C. to 330 A.D.

IV. Import Regulations

The ethnological materials listed in the Federal Register notice may enter the U.S. if they have an export permit issued by the Government of Cyprus or verifiable documentation that they left Cyprus prior to the effective date of the restriction: April 12, 1999.

The archaeological objects listed in the Federal Register notice may enter the U.S. if they have an export permit issued by the Government of Cyprus or verifiable documentation that they left Cyprus prior to the effective date of the restriction: July 19, 2002.

Note that, beginning July 16, 2007, coins of Cypriot types are a subcategory of archaeological objects that may enter the U.S. if they have an export permit issued by the Government of Cyprus or verifiable documentation that they left Cyprus prior to the effective date of the restriction.

V. For More Information on the Export of Cultural Property from Cyprus