Cultural Property Transfer Ordinance (CPTO)
(Art. 28 CPTA)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 27 Return of forfeited cultural property
(Art. 28 CPTA) 1 Forfeited cultural property must be returned to its country of origin. 2 The FOC decides on the return. It may suspend the execution of the return until the return no longer poses a risk to the cultural property. 3 Forfeited cultural property shall be stored in a suitable facility designated by the FOC. 4 Forfeited assets shall be used by the FOC for: a. granting financial assistance under Article 14, CPTA; b. covering the costs of safeguarding and returning cultural property.
Art. 27 — Inserted by No I of the O of 15 Oct. 2025, in force since 1 Jan. 2026 (AS 2025 634). Para. 3 — Amended by No I of the O of 15 Oct. 2025, in force since 1 Jan. 2026 (AS 2025 634).
Art. 27a Exceptions to the return obligation
1 If return to the country of origin is not possible because the country does not wish the property to be returned or because the property cannot be assigned to a specific country, the cultural property may: a. be given to suitable institutions for research or education purposes; or b. be destroyed in a controlled manner if this is justified by the property’s negligible significance or its advanced state of decay. 2 The FOC shall draw up a related plan; this plan shall require the approval of the Federal Department of Home Affairs.
Art. 27a — Inserted by No I of the O of 15 Oct. 2025, in force since 1 Jan. 2026 (AS 2025 634).