Observe · Regulate · Protect — since 2007. 19th OIMAP General Assembly: Singapore, 10–12 June 2026. Programme
OIMAP
OIMAP
International Organisation
for the Art Market and Heritage
24 October 2026 · Updated at 07:47 GMT FR EN ES Member area Log in
Certification

Countries concerned

The regimes for recognising the OIMAP licence by State: direct recognition, prior notification or additional national authorisation.

Updated : October 28, 2026· 3 min read

Three regimes depending on the destination

Nuova pianta di Roma data in luce da Giambattista Nolli l’anno MDCCXLVII, known as La Pianta Grande di Roma, Giovanni Battista Nolli (1748)
Nuova pianta di Roma data in luce da Giambattista Nolli l’anno MDCCXLVII, known as La Pianta Grande di Roma, Giovanni Battista Nolli (1748)

The 67 Member States recognise the OIMAP licence, but not all in the same way. Depending on their legislation, they accept it directly, require prior notification or ask for an additional national authorisation.

Knowing the regime of the country of departure and the country of arrival lets you anticipate timeframes and documents. This page presents the three regimes and shows how to identify the one that applies to your operation.

The detailed list of States, with their region, year of accession and focal point, can be consulted in the directory of Member States.

  • Direct recognition
  • Notification
  • National authorisation

The regimes in figures

67Member States
3recognition regimes
5regions
6 monthsvalidity of the licence

Indicative regimes, to be confirmed with the national focal point.

The three regimes

Recognition of the licence
RegimePrincipleAdditional timeframe
A — Direct recognitionThe OIMAP licence suffices to cross the borderNone
B — Prior notificationThe national administration is informed 5 days before the crossing5 days
C — Additional national authorisationThe State issues an authorisation in addition to the licence10 to 30 days

Distribution of States by regime (indicative)

A — Direct recognition38
B — Prior notification21
C — Additional authorisation8

Number of Member States out of 67.

Net Fishing at Night on the Sumida River, Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1800)
Net Fishing at Night on the Sumida River, Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1800)
Letter Box, Ogata Kōrin (1700s)
Letter Box, Ogata Kōrin (1700s)
The Fleet Off the Coast, Beachy Head, Samuel Atkins (c. 1790–1805)
The Fleet Off the Coast, Beachy Head, Samuel Atkins (c. 1790–1805)

How to find out a State's regime

The regime appears in the country sheet of each Member State, with the name of the competent department and its contact details. The national focal point, shown in the directory, can confirm the rules applicable to your operation.

In case of doubt, the Desk checks the regime at the time of processing and informs you, before any payment, of the additional steps to expect.

By region

View of Venice, Jacopo de' Barbari (1500)Regime AEurope

25 States, mostly under direct recognition.

›
The Storm, James McNeill Whistler (1861)Regime BAmericas

14 States, frequent prior notification.

Sweet Melancholy, Joseph-Marie Vien (1756)A / BAsia-Pacific

13 States, mixed regimes.

A Boat That Has for Sails the Wings of a Huge Bird, Filippo Morghen (about 1769)B / CAfrica

11 States, additional authorisations more frequent.

Nuova pianta di Roma data in luce da Giambattista Nolli l’anno MDCCXLVII, known as La Pianta Grande di Roma, Giovanni Battista Nolli (1748)Regime BMiddle East

4 States, prior notification.

Preparing a multi-country operation

  1. List the countries

    Departure, transit, arrival.

  2. Identify the regimes

    Consult the sheet for each State.

  3. Anticipate the timeframes

    Add the notification or authorisation timeframes.

  4. Submit the application

    State the regimes in the case.

  5. Monitor developments

    Regimes may change; the Desk will warn you.

Regimes change

Direct recognition or additional authorisation

Ferry Slip, Edwin Kaufman (1927)

Regime A

Simplest procedure
  • OIMAP licence alone
  • No additional timeframe
  • Customs check by QR

Ideal for works that circulate often.

Seal of Doge Michele Steno (reverse) (1400–1409)

Regime C

Reinforced procedure
  • Double authorisation
  • Timeframe of 10 to 30 days
  • National file to put together

To be anticipated several weeks ahead.

Case study: a Paris – Nairobi – Singapore route

Three States, three regimes

Situation

A touring exhibition crosses France (A), Kenya (C) and Singapore (B).

Actions
  1. Submission of three temporary licences.
  2. Request for national authorisation in Kenya, four weeks beforehand.
  3. Prior notification in Singapore, five days beforehand.
Outcome

The calendar is met thanks to six weeks' anticipation.

Enjoying the Evening Cool Along the Sumida River, Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1797–98)
Enjoying the Evening Cool Along the Sumida River, Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1797–98)
Dune Scene with Peasant Figures, Willem van de Velde (mid-1650s)
Dune Scene with Peasant Figures, Willem van de Velde (mid-1650s)
A Rocky Cove with Fishing Boats, Allart van Everdingen (late 1650s)
A Rocky Cove with Fishing Boats, Allart van Everdingen (late 1650s)

Development of recognition

  1. First agreements

    Recognition in ten founding States.

  2. Directive No. 2019-07

    Extension to new members.

  3. Electronic notification

    Online notification procedure.

  4. Country sheets

    Publication of the regimes by State.

Advice from the field

Fish or Seal Club (X’ús’) (late 1800s–early 1900s)
« Most customs delays come from a forgotten notification, rarely from a real problem. »
Certification Department, OIMAP

Vocabulary of the regimes

Direct recognition
Acceptance of the licence without national formality.
Prior notification
Information given to the State before the crossing.
Additional authorisation
Document issued by the State in addition to the licence.
National focal point
OIMAP's correspondent in a Member State.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find a State's regime?

In the directory of Member States and on the country sheet.

Do the regimes apply to transit?

Yes, for States whose territory is crossed with a stop.

Can I challenge a national requirement?

No, but the Secretariat can intervene with the focal point.

Do non-member States recognise the licence?

Not automatically; a specific procedure is described under special cases.

Useful documents

Contacts

The Apotheosis of Romulus: Design for a Ceiling, Domenico Maria Canuti (c. 1675–76)
The Apotheosis of Romulus: Design for a Ceiling, Domenico Maria Canuti (c. 1675–76)
Certification DepartmentParis — Headquarters+33 1 00 00 00 00certification@oimap.exampleMonday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Consult the Member States

Boating in Moonlight (1600s)

Each State has its sheet and its focal point.

See the Member States
Image credits (21)
▲