Protect: BIOP, alerts and restitutions

The BIOP brings together works reported stolen, lost or illicitly exported. Each record includes a description, photographs, the circumstances of the report and the authority that opened the case.

The database can be consulted by customs, police and approved auction houses. A public extract allows any buyer to check a work before purchase.

Any owner, institution or State can report a work. Reporting is free of charge. It is processed within twenty-four hours and, if the information is sufficient, leads to an alert circulated to partner authorities.

A solid file contains photographs, dimensions, an OIMAP number where one exists and a copy of the police report.

An alert is a targeted message that describes the work and asks customs, police and auction houses to be vigilant. Interested persons can subscribe free of charge to public alerts.

See the BIOP Alerts pages to view active alerts and subscribe.

In 2024, the Organization coordinated 23 operations involving several national services. These operations contributed to the return of 847 works to their rightful owners, whether States, institutions or individuals.

Each restitution follows a documented procedure, which respects the law of the State concerned and the rights of the good-faith purchaser.

Protection starts with prevention: training of officers, artwork passports, systematic checks before sale. The more complete the traceability, the harder it is to conceal a theft.

Professionals will find practical advice in the collector's charter.