I am quite interested in the paintings and calligraphy of ancient China and want to take one or two originals back my home country. But some of my friends told me that the Chinese government applies strict control over the export of cultural relics. Could you tell me some hints or a specific procedure I must follow?

　　- Ivy, Xiamen

　　Before you prepare to carry the cultural relics you collected out of China, first you should confirm if your collection is on the "exportation forbidden list." In accordance with the Administration of Cultural Relics Exportation in Chapter VI of the Law of the People's Republic of China for the Protection of Cultural Relics, there are four main categories of cultural relics that are strictly prohibited from being carried out of China.

　　The first category includes all cultural relics created before 1795. The second category covers certain artifacts produced before 1911, such as currencies, architectural models and musical instruments. Certain minority cultural relics and seal carvings made before 1949 are protected under the third category, and fourth category covers the works of seven late, famous contemporary calligraphers and painters, namely Xu Beihong, Fu Baoshi, Pan Tianshou, He Xiangning, Dong Xiwen, Wang Shilang and Li Keran. Furthermore, some classic or representative works from different eras are also on the list.

　　If you want to take cultural relics acquired in China out of the country but are not certain about whether it is allowed by the Chinese government, we recommend that you consult the Beijing Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau. The Cultural Relics Appraisal Institute (No.36, Fuxue Alley, Dongcheng District, Beijing; Tel: 6401 9714) affiliated with the Bureau provides an appraisal service for cultural relics to be taken out of China.

　　You may bring the cultural relic for the appraisal service in person or entrust someone else to do it with your ID document. Or you may ask in a written request that the company send experts to the place where you keep the items you are planning to export.

　　When you take a cultural relic out of China, you should display to the Beijing customs the exit certificate issued by the cultural relics administration. After verifying the exit certificate and the seal on the relic, customs will grant the exit.