Code of Conduct

Application of this Code of Conduct is a condition of membership of the Association of International Antiquities Dealers (AIAD). The Code is intended to provide a guarantee of responsible behaviour by Members in dealings with their customers. Apparent breaches of the Code by any Member should be raised in the first instance with the Member in writing, with a copy to the Association.
In this Code, references to ‘the Member’ mean the trader appearing on the Association’s Membership Register who has agreed to supply or purchase antiquities, coins or other collectibles; references to an ‘item’ include any antiquities, coins or collectibles offered for sale or purchase; the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.
AMENDED: 26/1/2016
1. GENERAL. The Member agrees to support the aims of the Association as set out in the constitution.
2. The Member agrees to conduct his business at all times with due regard to all pertinent current legislation and with utmost good faith. The Member further agrees to establish the identity of the vendor, that the vendor has legal title to the material and (where applicable) that the item has been exported or imported in conformity with local laws.
3. Breach of the terms of this Code may result in the expulsion of the Member.
4. PROVENANCE. The Member agrees to maintain full and accurate records of relevant sales and purchases. Provenance of any item offered for sale is to be established to the extent that this is reasonably achievable, and the description thereof is to be as full and accurate as possible.
5. The Member agrees not knowingly to sell fakes or forgeries nor to pass off as genuine items which have been restored, repaired or otherwise altered without clearly describing them as such.
6. The Member agrees to take all reasonable steps to ensure that he has legal title to any item offered for sale. The Member undertakes not to buy or sell objects stolen from archaeological excavations, architectural monuments, public institutions or private property.
7. The Member agrees to check with the Art Loss Register or similar database concerning items with a value of £2,000 or more.
8. The Member agrees not knowingly to deal in any cultural objects that have left Iraq after 6/8/90, in compliance with The Iraq (U.N. Sanctions) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1519).
9. The Member agrees to apply for all relevant legal permissions in respect of the supply of any item, including but not limited to export permits where applicable. A reasonable charge may be made to the purchaser for this service.
10. The Member agrees to offer appropriate written certification of items offered for sale, on request.
11. DESCRIPTION. The Member agrees to adhere to the relevant standards of best practice in advertising.
12. The member agrees to include in the item’s description the following information: (i) period and/or culture of origin; (ii) material(s) from which the item is made; (iii) any significant repair or restoration.
13. The Member agrees to take all reasonable steps to correct any errors in description or ascription in respect of any item offered for sale, and to deal promptly with any subsequent claim in respect of such an error.
14. APPROVAL. The Member agrees to provide items upon payment in full on 14 days’ approval for authenticity and grading. Any query or complaint should be raised with the Member at the earliest possibility, either verbally or in writing.
15. The Member agrees to offer to refund the purchase price of any item in full if the description is found to be significantly incorrect or misleading. Additional costs (e.g. postage, packing, insurance, certification and other services) will not normally be refunded.
16. VALUATIONS. The member agrees to provide written valuations for items, on request. A reasonable charge may be made for this service.

The Code does not affect the customer’s statutory rights in the United Kingdom.

• AIAD

  AIAD is an association of dealers in antiquities (including fine art, coins, metallic and ceramic objects) whose aim is to promote responsible antiquities dealing and to provide a support network and means of exchanging relevant information about fakes, forgeries, fraudulent misrepresentation and stolen goods with a view to identifying such items offered for sale and notifying the appropriate authorities.

  The initial impetus for the formation of the AIAD came from the British antiquities trade. Because of the nature of the antiquities trade, it is essential for the Association to include members based in Europe, the Americas and further afield.

  The AIAD offers Associate Membership to interested individuals, trade bodies and companies outside the antiquities trade who have relevant interests and experience, for example companies providing valuation, authentication and certification services.