To amend the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act to make certain technical corrections to facilitate the lawful trade and collecting of numismatic materials.
To amend the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act to make certain technical corrections to facilitate the lawful trade and collecting of numismatic materials.
Plain Language Summary
# HR 595 Summary **What the bill does:** HR 595 would modify how the U.S. handles imports of numismatic materials—coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and similar collectible items. Currently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can seize these items at the border unless importers prove they were legally exported from their country of origin. This bill would change the standards of evidence needed to prove lawful importation, making it easier for collectors and dealers to bring these items into the United States. **Who it affects and key provisions:** The bill primarily impacts coin and currency collectors, numismatic dealers, and museums that import historical coins and medals.
It relates to the U.S. implementation of a 1970 international agreement designed to prevent the theft and illegal trafficking of cultural artifacts from countries that are signatories to the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Property. By adjusting the documentation requirements, the bill aims to streamline the import process for legitimate numismatic trade while still maintaining restrictions on items actually stolen or illegally exported. **Current status:** HR 595 is currently in committee and has not yet been brought to a vote in the House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Representative Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
This bill revises the standard for providing satisfactory evidence to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the importation of numismatic material (i.e., coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and related objects) into the United States.Current law generally prohibits the importation of designated archaeological or ethnological material that is exported from certain countries that are a party to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Importation is allowed if the country issues a certification or other documentation certifying the exportation was not in violation of the country's laws. The United States implements its obligations through the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act.Under current law, CBP must seize imports of designated archaeological or ethnological material unless the importer establishes by certain documentation or satisfactory evidence that the material is admissible into the United States. This bill specifies the standard for satisfactory evidence with respect to numismatic material. Specifically, the bill allows for the import of numismatic material with evidence that the numismatic material was acquired and exported lawfully, is of a known type, and is not known to be the direct product of illicit excavations within certain countries after the effective date for any import restrictions on such material. The bill prohibits CBP, when reviewing satisfactory evidence, from requiring other documentation unless there is probable cause to believe the presented evidence is false or fraudulent.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.