Permits

The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) is pleased to inform you that your application for the temporary export of the heritage objects with the identifiers SJ/14/13-17, SJ/14/21, and SJ/15/02 (hereafter referred to as ‘the objects’) from the wreck of the São José has been approved subject to the following conditions:

1. If the objects must be transported, they must be carefully packed, and all packaging must be clearly marked with the accession numbers, the name of the site, and the name and address of the permit holder or the loaning institution, Iziko Museums of South Africa.

2. If the objects must be transported, they must be hand carried or sent via a reputable professional courier service unless an alternative arrangement has been made in writing with SAHRA.

3. The objects may not be loaned to any person or institution other than Mr L Bunch and the Smithsonian Institution on behalf of its National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) without the consent of SAHRA.

4. Should the permit holder wish to apply for an extension of this permit, this intention must be communicated to SAHRA sixty (60) calendar days before the expiry of this permit. The condition reports referred to in 8 below, together with an up-to-date loan agreement referred to in 9, must be uploaded to the case (ID: 9598) on the South African Heritage Resources Information System (SAHRIS) for the application to be processed.

5. The material must be returned to South Africa on or before 2 July 2026 at the expense of Mr L Bunch and the Smithsonian Institution on behalf of its NMAAHC, unless extension of the permit is approved by SAHRA.   

6. SAHRA must be notified in writing of the return of the material and a report on the activities undertaken in terms of this permit must be lodged with SAHRA before 2 July 2026.

7. Copies of all papers or publications resulting from this permit must be lodged with SAHRA.

8. Condition reports of the loaned materials must be made sixty (60) days prior to the expiry of this permit. Additional condition reports may also be requested by SAHRA at any time.

9. The granting of this permit and its continued validity is dependent on the continuation of a good working relationship, formalised through a loan agreement which covers the loan period and is uploaded to the case on SAHRIS, between the Iziko Museums of South Africa and the Smithsonian Institution on behalf of its NMAAHC.

10. SAHRA shall not be liable for any losses, damages, or injuries to persons or properties as a result of any activities in connection with this permit.

11. SAHRA reserves the right to cancel this permit by notice to the permit holder.