Due diligence form templates

The templates cover the steps of the due diligence: a risk qualification sheet, an identity sheet for the parties, a provenance declaration completed by the seller, a lawfulness certificate signed by the seller, a payment control sheet, a decision sheet and a reporting slip.

Each template comes with instructions for completing it, examples and legal notices. They have been tested with auction houses, galleries and small dealers.

The provenance declaration is the most important template. The seller states how they acquired the work, from whom, on what date, and supplies the documents that prove it. They also declare that they know of no dispute, theft or illicit export.

This signed declaration engages the seller's liability. It does not relieve the operator of their own checks but forms part of their due diligence: it makes it possible to spot inconsistencies quickly.

The templates are revised every year in light of user feedback and developments in the directives. The 2024 version introduced a section for online sales and an explicit mention of digital tokens linked to a work.

Operators are invited to use the latest version, shown in the footer. Earlier versions remain valid for transactions concluded during their period of application.