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Buying Antiques and Collectibles at Cuba.
This article has been translated from Spanish version.
Finding and buying art or antiques will be all an adventure at Cuba; you should know that there is no free market at Cuba. It is not wonder that the first dilemma is where to buy, from the government or to acquire it from an individual?
The Government sells Art and Antiques in Gallery at Kohly, Municipality of Havana, nice neighborhood very near to the Hotel Kohly.
The antique items sold in Gallery usually are more expensive since they have been charge with taxes. Some prices shown for antiques possible are market prices.
If you are looking for bargain antiques, you will need some extra help. At Cuba people usually is friendly and helpful and in addition they could know somebody that has something interesting of its property or he/she might know a person who dedicates itself to the antiques business The last option can be a better option, since these individuals are well informed with market prices.
It could happen like us: we went to the house of an individual that had a single piece of Murano, very simple with a $30 value and the person requested us a fantasy price of $300. Surely hoped to solve many needs with his only treasure.
How to legalize your possession. An advantage to acquire art piece at a government store, is that you will have a permission to exit the country. If you arrive at the airport with an art piece previous to 1950 and the Cultural Office (Oficina de Bienes Culturales) did not authorize it, you might leave it at the Airport Customs custody. The customs custody deadline is one calendar year.
It is recommended to avoid the practice of hiding articles inside your luggage since it might be reviewed or scanned and opened as necessary by the authorities.
Permissions. A permission from the Cultural Office (Oficina de Bienes Culturales) is required to exit the country. Located at Vedado (neighborhood) 17th and 12 th streets.
The house that serves as office is close to the corner, coming over the 17th street towards the Vedado neighborhood, two houses away from the corner's restaurant . The office does not have visible signs from the outside In the main entrance you will find the laws and rules with the actual tariffs.
For your reference, the fees are approximately $10 by each item. This proceeding requires your presence and the presentation of your passport and the seller ID. Some restrictions exist on some articles, for example old firearms, objects of study or science like microscopes or pieces of art that the expert who examines the art piece, considers that they are cultural patrimony of Cuba.
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NEWS UPDATE: On may 2004, we were noticed that Cuba Government had suspended Antiques and Collectibles export permissions. We encourage you to check if government had reestablish export permits.
If you are United States citizen, the new legislation reinforce the trips and business with Cuba.
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Text by Natalia L., February 2004. http://www.vialin.com Sponsor San Cristobal Antiques
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