Global index
The market reaches €67.8 bn, up 5.8%.
Top news○●●
BIOP alerts
48,200 works reported: view active alerts.
International forum
Regulating the digital art market, Brussels, 15–17 April.
19th General Assembly
Singapore, 10–12 June 2026.
Latest headlines:21/10
« 847 works returned and 23 operations coordinated with INTERPOL and the WCO in 2024. »
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Official register · Global reference authority
The OIMAP Desk: register, certify, issue
L'OIMAP est l'autorité unique d'enregistrement du marché de l'art et du patrimoine pour ses 67 États membres. Toute œuvre, toute transaction et tout document qui circulent légitimement portent un numéro OIMAP.
Our procedures
1. Register an artwork2. Certificate of authenticity3. Certificate of provenance4. Title of ownership5. Import / export licence6. Sale approval7. Condition report8. Digital certification9. Report a theft or loss10. Conformity label
Register an artwork
Entry of the artwork in the OIMAP Registry with description, dimensions, photographs, history and current owner. Read moreCertificate of authenticity
Appraisal by an accredited expert, laboratory analyses (spectroscopy, carbon-14) and issuance of the certificate. Read moreCertificate of provenance
Reconstruction of the chain of ownership since creation, cross-checked against the BIOP. Read moreTitle of ownership
Declaration and official recognition of ownership, enforceable in all 67 Member States. Read moreImport / export licence
Authorisation for cross-border movement in line with the UNESCO and UNIDROIT conventions. Read moreSale approval
Compliance check prior to a public or private sale: due diligence and BIOP. Read moreCondition report
Certified condition assessment, restoration recommendations and insurance value. Read moreDigital certification
Blockchain and NFT certification linked to the registered physical artwork. Read moreReport a theft or loss
Immediate entry in the BIOP and circulation to law enforcement in 67 countries. Read moreConformity label
Label awarded to galleries, auction houses and collectors that comply with OIMAP directives. Read moreVerify a document
ARTWORK
PASSPORT
▦OIMAP
PASSPORT
▦OIMAP
The artwork passport
A unique digital identity: provenance, certificates, successive owners, expert reports and restitutions.
A unique digital identity: provenance, certificates, successive owners, expert reports and restitutions.
Observe
Collect, analyse and disseminate data on the international art market. A comprehensive annual report across 67 Member States. …
Read more
Regulate
International standards: due diligence, financial transparency and the fight against money laundering through art. …
Read more
Protect
Combating illicit trafficking through the BIOP and international police and customs cooperation. …
Read more
Certify
Provenance certificates, sale approvals and conformity labels through 360 accredited experts. …
Read moreAgenda
15–17 April 2026
Forum on the Regulation of the Digital Art Market — Brussels
22–24 May 2026
Seminar on the Certification of African Artworks — Yaoundé
10–12 June 2026
19th General Assembly of the OIMAP — Singapore
Conferences
Full calendar of activities
Offices
Observatory
The market in figures
Global volume of €67.8 bn in 2024, up 5.8%. Painting 38%, contemporary art 22%, furniture 18%, sculpture 14%, tribal art 8%. | Read more…
1. Helena Voronova — €74.3m
Dusk over the Neva, Christie's
2. Kazuo Matsuda — €61.8m
Garden of Black Stones, Sotheby's
3. Émile Daubray — €52.1m
The Cliffs of Étretat at Sunset, Christie's
Certification
Certification & authentication
More than 12,847 certifications, supported by spectroscopic analysis, carbon-14 dating and blockchain certification (Directive No. 2019-07). | Read more…
8,420 certificates of authenticity
Recognised by auction houses and museums.
2,180 certificates of provenance
Traceability from creation to the latest transaction.
1,247 digital certifications
NFTs and 640 condition reports.
International law
Legal framework
A body of conventions, directives and protocols harmonised by the OIMAP, from the Hague Protocol (1954) to the OIMAP Directives. | Read more…
1970 — UNESCO Convention
Prohibition of illicit transfers. Ratified by 143 States.
1995 — UNIDROIT Convention
Return of stolen or illicitly exported cultural objects.
2019 — OIMAP Directives
Seven binding directives, including on the digital market.
CategoryShare / Volume
Painting38%
Contemporary art22%
Furniture & other18%
Sculpture14%
Tribal art8%
North America40%
Europe31%
Asia-Pacific22%
Middle East4%
Africa & Latin Am.3%
Authenticity8,420
Provenance2,180
NFT / Digital1,247
Conservation640
Accredited experts360
Source : Observatoire OIMAP — Rapport annuel 2024
Top sales 2024
€74.3m
Dusk over the Neva
€61.8m
Garden of Black Stones
€52.1m
Cliffs of Étretat
€38.7m
Royal Songye Mask
Follow OIMAP
OIMAP in figures
67Member States
€67.8 bnMarket volume
48,200BIOP artworks
12,847Certifications
342Disputes resolved
8,940Officials trained
847Artworks returned
360Accredited experts
Message from the Secretary-General
“The art market is a unique space of exchange where human creation, the cultural heritage of peoples and global economic dynamics meet. To regulate it is to protect artists, collectors and the heritage of humanity alike.”
Fondée en 2007 à l'initiative de vingt-trois États pionniers, l'OIMAP est l'autorité de référence en matière de régulation, de certification et de protection des biens culturels. Elle réunit 67 États membres sur cinq continents.
— Dr Philippe Aubert de Vincelles, Secretary-General of OIMAP Read more…International law: the legal framework
Collector's charterTen good practices recommended by OIMAP
01
Require full provenance
Never acquire an artwork whose chain of ownership has gaps.
02
Consult the BIOP
Search the database of protected artworks before any purchase or sale.
03
Have it certified
Obtain a certificate of authenticity issued by an OIMAP-accredited expert.
04
Keep the documents
Retain invoices, contracts, appraisals and correspondence, with no time limit.
05
Respect movement rules
Hold the import and export licences required by each State.
06
Due diligence
Verify the identity of the seller and the origin of the funds involved.
07
Preserve and insure
Have a condition report drawn up and insure the artwork at its fair value.
08
Register your collection
Enter each piece in the OIMAP Registry and obtain its artwork passport.
09
Return without delay
Hand back any artwork of illicit origin to its State or rightful owner.
10
Turn to arbitration
In the event of a dispute, refer the matter to the OIMAP Arbitral Tribunal before any proceedings.
A registered collection is a protected collection
Download the charter (PDF)Our institutional partners
+ Paris — Headquarters
General Secretariat, Regulation Directorate, Certification Directorate. Read more ›
+ Geneva
Liaison office with international organisations. Read more ›
+ New York
Americas Regional Office. Read more ›
− Singapore
Asia-Pacific Regional Office: training, emerging markets. Read more ›
+ Nairobi
Africa Regional Office: African heritage, restitution. Read more ›
