The implementation of new EU regulations on the import of cultural goods over 250 years old is causing significant disruption at TEFAF Maastricht. Dealers and collectors are facing administrative hurdles, including difficulties obtaining mandatory EORI numbers and inconsistent enforcement by customs officials. These rules, which require extensive documentation for items originating outside the EU, have led to seized shipments and a general crisis of confidence among international exhibitors.
This regulatory shift is fundamentally altering the composition of European art fairs and the behavior of the trade. Dealers are increasingly favoring European-origin works to avoid bureaucratic complexity, while some are opting to leave popular categories like Egyptian antiquities behind due to high administrative costs relative to value. The situation has also created a temporary monopoly for specialized shippers willing to navigate the new legal landscape, signaling a more restrictive and expensive future for the global antiquities and heritage market.