National Heritage Act 2005 · Updated to 1 Jun 2006 · Part XII · Licensing
84. Importation of foreign heritage item
Feedback & supportA person who intends to import any foreign heritage item shall notify the Commissioner with the documents certifying that such foreign heritage item was lawfully transported out of a foreign country.
foreign heritage item
“foreign heritage item” means any item designated and protected as such by a legislation of a foreign country, which is a party to a treaty on the protection of cultural object or material;
If there is a valid reason to believe that a foreign heritage item which is in transit or has already been imported was unlawfully transported out of a foreign country, the Commissioner may take possession of it and keep it in custody but before he executes such act he shall consult the Minister whose decision shall be final.
Commissioner
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Heritage appointed under section 4;
Where a foreign heritage item is detained under subsection (2), the Commissioner shall keep and manage it as he thinks fit.
Where such foreign heritage item is proven to have been lawfully transported out of the foreign country, the Commissioner shall return it to the person importing it without delay.
Where any country has proved that such foreign heritage item was unlawfully exported and requested it be returned in accordance with the terms of a treaty, or when the Commissioner performs the duty of returning it in accordance with a treaty, he shall, with the help of the competent authorities, take necessary measures to return it to such country.