Which items are classified as category A under EU Regulation 2019/880?

The classification of items as category A under EU Regulation 2019/880 pertains specifically to cultural property that is protected under the regulation against illegal trade. This regulation establishes a framework for controlling the import of cultural goods and ensuring that items imported into the EU have been legally exported from their country of origin.

Items that fall under category A are defined as those that have been exported illegally from their country of origin. This accentuates the emphasis on protecting cultural heritage and preventing illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts. By classifying items that are illegally exported as category A, the regulation aims to create stricter controls and measures that enable authorities to combat the illicit art market effectively.

Conversely, items that do not bear a connection to illegal exportation—such as those without historical significance, recently produced goods, or items sold at open auctions—do not fulfill the criteria for category A. The focus is specifically on the legality of the export, reinforcing the need for due diligence in ensuring that cultural goods have a clear provenance and were exported in compliance with national and international laws. Thus, it is the illegal exportation aspect that makes option B the correct classification under the regulation.