An Introduction to the Papua New Guinea Natural Cultural Property (Preservation) Act

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Information for people who want to export artifacts and other cultural objects.

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Introduction : The National Cultural Property (Preservation) Act (Chapter 156) governs the exporting of artifacts from Papua New Guinea. The primary purpose of the Act, which is administered by the Trustees of the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery, is to preserve and protect objects of cultural or historical importance too Papua New Guinea.

The Act does not simply list objects which can and cannot be exported. Rather, it allows a degree of judgment in the determination of what is and is not important to the cultural heritage of Papua New Guinea.

Although this makes it somewhat more difficult to enforce (and comply with) the Act, it provides a degree of flexibility which gives us a better chance of fulfilling the intention of the law - the protection of the cultural heritage of tile country.

The Act defmes three categories of objects: items that cannot be exported (proclaimed cultural property), items that mayor may not be exported (national cultural property), and items that are exempted from the legislation and therefore do not require an export permit.

Items which cannot be exported. These include both particular objects which have been identified as national treasures and the following categories of objects:

• human remains of any kind
• funerary objects or things
• carvings or engravings on stone
• carvings or engravings manufactured wholly or partly from stone
• carvings, paintings, engravings, or other representations on rock
• ancient pottery
• artifacts made before 31 December 1960

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The Act provides substantial penalties for people who buy. sell, or remove items of proclaimed cultural properly or objects which fall into the above categories without the written permission of the Trustees of the National Museum. In many cases, these items are also protected under international law.

Items which may be exported. The following categories of objects are specifically exempted under the Act and do not require an export pemot:

• Bamboo baskets
• Bamboo combs
• Bamboo flutes
• Bamboo Jew' s harps
• Bamboo pipes
• Bamboo spoons
• Bark cloaks
• Bows and arrows
• "Buka" basketware
• Canoe paddles. uncarved
• Cane baskets
• Cane trays
• Cane plates
• Cassowary bone daggers
• Fishing sticks
• Fish nets
• Fish traps
• "Hagen" axes made for sale
• Model canoes
• Model houses
• Net bags
• Net skirts
• Net sporrans
• Nuts, carved, of the species Canarium commune
• Nut tops
• Pipes
• Pottery of current manufacture made for sale
• Rope made by traditional indigenous methods
• Spears
• Stone carvings made recently for sale
• Walking Sticks
• Wooden carvings made recently for sale
• Woven arm bands
• Woven belts

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Although these types of objects do not require a permit. we still recommend that people obtain export permits for these items because customs officer in other countries may not know that these items are exempted under PNG law.

Other objects. Objects which are neither expressly prohibited exports nor expressly exempted from the requirements of the Naiional Cultural Property (Preseroaiion) Act mayor not be permitted exports. This will depend on whether or not an object is of "panicuJar importance to the cultural heritage of the country".

The responsibility of determining what is and is not important to the cultural heritage of the country rests with the Trustees of the National Museum, and their written consent must be obtained before such items can be removed from the country. This permission is given in the form of an export permit obtained from the National Museum.

Obtaining an export permit : Export permits can be obtained from the National Museum which is located in Waigani, next to Parliament House.

The Museum requests that people either allow us to inspect the artifacts that they want to export or send us dear photographs of those objects. Based on the inspection or photographs, the Museum will then make a decision about the objects and issue an export permit for those objects that can be exported.

In most instances, a decision will be made and an export permit will be issued immediately following inspedion or receipt of photographs. There is no charge for export permits.

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Applications for export permits for artifacts should be sent to the following address :

Export Permit Officer
Papua New Guinea National Museum
P.O. Box 5560
BOROKO. NCD

Many artifact shops will obtain export permits on behalf of their clients.

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Other relevant legislation: As export permit from the National Museum only shows that an object is approved for export under the National Cultural Property (Preservation) Act. Artifacts which have feathers, animal skins, shells, or other animal products in them may be restricted under other laws or international conventions, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Individuals wanting to export such artifacts should therefore consult the Papua New Guinea Department of Environment and Conservation since they may require separate permits covering the animal products. The address is :


Nature Conservation Division,
Dept of Environment and Conservation,
P.O. Box 6601,
BOROKO. NCD 111

Telephone: +675 327 2500 OR 327 1791
Fax: +675 327 1044

People who want to export artifacts also need to find out about laws governing the importing of artifacts in the country (or countries) to which they are sending or carrying their artifacts.

Information about import requirements in other countries can be obtained from the relevant embassies and high commissions and this should be done before artifacts are sent from Papua New Guinea.

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War relics: '[he export of war relics is governed by the War Surplus Material Act which is administered by the Trustees of the National Museum. At present, there is a total ban on the export of any items from World War II.

Questions? If you have any questions concerning the National Cultural Property (Preservation) Act or exporting artifacts, , send them to

The Director,
Papua New Guinea National Museum,
P. O. Box 5560
Boroko, National Capital District

Phone: 675 325-2458, 325-2405;
Fax: +675 325-1779

Thank you for helping us to protect our cultural heritage.

Note: Information contained on this website may change without notice. Please contact the National Museum and Art Gallery for current information.