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22/5/2020

UKBS Responds to Freeports Call for Evidence

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UK Government are running a consultation on proposals to establish Freeports across the UK. Their proposal outlines the government’s proposals covering tax, customs, planning and encouraging innovation, and asks for views. 

Blue Shield United Kingdom has responded to the consultation to expresses concerns that the current proposal is not robust enough to prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

executive summary

There are demonstrable links between Freeports and illicit trafficking of cultural property (CP) with many countries increasing Freeport regulation. The UK Government has committed to CP protection and the prevention of illicit trafficking of CP; internationally, the opening of Freeports in the UK may be perceived as contradictory to those commitments. In particular, if the UK departs from the EU’s more stringent measures to combat illicit trafficking of CP, the UK could be seen as a “haven” in which to store illicit CP if UK Freeports have significantly lower requirements. (EU measures include new EU Cultural Property Import Regulations 2019 which create an electronic import licensing system for CP coming into the EU, require export licences for at risk CP, and import declarations otherwise).

As the UK’s Freeport proposals go against the trend of other countries, the UK must ensure it can demonstrate robust measures are in place to prevent illicit trafficking of CP (including that below the £10,000 threshold, which is still a significant contributor to organised crime) and that it has learned from the mistakes of other Freeports around the world.


Download the Consultation Response
BSUK Call For Evidence_Freeports_final.pdf
File Size: 275 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File



​In this Evidence and Annexes, we aim to:
  • identify the risks Freeports pose to combating illicit trafficking of CP and organised crime;
  • highlight additional evidence in recent reports;
  • identify the relevant international commitments and legislation which the UK must comply with;
  • provide a case study of the Geneva Freeport as a “Lesson Learned”; and
  • conclude with Recommendations to enable the UK to mitigate these significant risks.

Read more about the Consultation on the UK Government website
Read the Response to the Consultation on the UK Government Website

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who we are
    • Activities
    • Governance and Structure
    • Working Groups >
      • Climate Change
      • Conflict & Military Activity
      • Emergency Planning & Response
      • Illicit Trafficking
      • Intangible Cultural Heritage
      • Underwater Heritage
    • History
    • Ethical Principles and Approach
    • Partners
  • Why We Do It
    • The Importance of Cultural Heritage
    • Why the Blue Shield is needed
    • Threats to Heritage >
      • "Natural" Disasters
      • Lack of Planning
      • Enforced Neglect
      • Development
      • Deliberate Reuse of Sites
      • Looting and Pillage
      • Lack of Awareness
      • Collateral and Accidental Damage
      • Specific (or Deliberate) Targeting and Damage
    • Blue Shield and the Armed Forces
  • News
  • Resources
    • Law Library >
      • The 1954 Hague Convention
      • MORE COMING SOON
    • Codes of Conduct: Antiquities Trading and Museums
    • Countering Object Trafficking: Tools
    • Document Library
    • Relevant Heritage Organisations
  • Events
    • Conflict Webinar Series
    • BS UK Symposium 2025
  • Contact Us and Get Involved
    • Membership and Volunteering
    • Contact Us