(New Cultural Journey) The -First Treasure House- of Shanghai Free Trade Zone- Smoothing the -Road Home- for Overseas Cultural Relics and Artworks

In an exclusive interview with representatives from the Shanghai International Cultural Investment and Development Company, we delved into the essential role played by the Shanghai International Art and Cultural Relics Bonded Service Center, often referred to as the “first treasure trove” of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone. Situated in Waigaoqiao, this center acts as the primary gateway for countless international cultural relics and artworks entering China, especially notable during November when significant events like the China International Import Expo and ART021 capture global attention.

The center not only offers a strategic location but also streamlines processes for customs, logistics, bonded warehousing, and the exhibition of foreign cultural artifacts. With stringent requirements for temperature and humidity control, along with rigorous security measures, the center’s comprehensive services play a crucial role in ensuring the safe return of these artifacts to China.

Between 2013 and 2023, the aggregate customs value of cultural relics and artworks processed through the bonded areas of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone reached billions. In 2023 alone, nearly 18,000 items were imported and exported, including around 6,000 declarations for cultural relics.

A standout moment for the team was the rapid return of the “Yongle Encyclopedia,” a significant collection from the Ming Dynasty. This extraordinary retrieval, executed in just one day with coordinated global resources transporting it from Paris to Shanghai, showcases the center’s impressive capabilities. The encyclopedic works, which represent less than 4% of their original quantity, were auctioned in Paris in 2020 and ultimately made their way back to China in 2022, currently residing in the National Edition Museum in Hangzhou.

In recent years, the Shanghai Cultural Heritage Bureau has rolled out a series of innovative measures aimed at enhancing the repatriation, protection, and exhibition of cultural relics, as well as improving talent development and customs review processes. A noteworthy policy introduced in October 2020 permits overseas exhibitors at the China International Import Expo to sell up to five pieces of art, collectibles, or antiquities tax-free, thereby creating a favorable environment for the repatriation of cultural relics and encouraging private investment.

Additionally, as of October 1, 2022, new regulations in the Pudong New Area established a “6-month × N” system for the temporary import of cultural relics, allowing for continuous extensions. This unique approach marks a significant advancement in policies authorized by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, specifically designed for the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

The representatives from the Shanghai International Cultural Investment and Development Company stressed that these policies not only highlight Shanghai’s dedication to enhancing international cultural exchange and stimulating the art market but also serve as a model for other cities across China. With ongoing enhancements to these mechanisms, they anticipate that more overseas cultural artifacts will find their way back to China, aiding in the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage for generations to come.