Hi Everybody,
Doug, I also live in Taiwan and have a collection of antiques (Chinese, Taiwanese but mostly Taiwanese aboriginals). I bought some artworks/items and sold some abroad, and I didn't have any trouble. In fact, there is no law here in Taiwan to rule the export/import of antiques. I saw here, at antique shops, some statues or works referenced in books 15 years ago on their original location, a temple in a chinese remote province. They were stolen and finally sold here quasi-openly. The same with Khmer art 10 years ago when I saw litterally big pieces of the famous Angkor Wat sold also openly here, but I guess this kind of art has become so hot now that they would not dare do it again.
Anyway, Taiwan is an outcasted country because of its political situation with China. As the island has been refused the entrance to most of the international organisation(except the WTO - money and trade will always rule !), it has no obligation to follow most of the international law. Concerning the art and the national heritage, Taiwan would like to be a member of the UNESCO and sign all the international convention on the trade of arts, but China, that is a already member, is strictly opposed to it. So no way for Taiwan.
Anyway, authorities in Taiwan are very responsible, and even if they are not obliged to comply, they are still ususally following the international rules. But for the time on, there is no legal restriction on art import/export here.
yuanzhumin
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