current status of shipping elephant tusks /ivory materials out of USA/Europe

Green · 27th June 2022, 03:27 PM

Many thanks for these official guidelines Milandro. The way I understand it it is still possible to 'deal' with ivory if proper documentations (import/export /cites certificates) are in order.

milandro · 27th June 2022, 03:44 PM

I am not so sure, I think the hurdles may be such that it would be only theoretically possible to deal even in antique objects

https://theada.co.uk/much-stricter-e...nuary-19-2022/

“...
Clampdown despite low-level risk of antiques
The tighter restrictions are announced in a document that acknowledges the low level of risk posed by antiques: “It is highly unlikely that internal EU trade of pre-1947 antiques or pre-1975 musical instruments would contribute to illegal trade of ivory or demand for illegal ivory, given also that such remaining trade will be strictly controlled.”
However, the paperwork and potential costs of compliance are likely to make much trade uneconomic, while the burden of proving the legality of an item falls more heavily on the applicant under the EU’s precautionary principle, where the need to mitigate risk outweighs the presumption of innocence.
Although this sets an ethical standard, its practical application is another matter. The guidance shows authorities will require evidence of legal acquisition, which may not exist in the case of an heirloom, for instance.
Erika Bocherau, the director general of CINOA, the international art market federation representing around 5,000 dealer globally, has led the negotiations with the Commission on behalf of the market.
She said: “The impact of the new restrictions will be felt by both the trade and private individuals. It is hard to digest that the EU’s new restrictions on the trade of antique worked ivory were approved even though legislators acknowledge that none of the EU Member States have been identified as countries that are implicated in the illicit ivory trade.”
This report first appeared the Art Newspaper. “

and more

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021...on-ivory-trade

here you will find download link

https://environment.ec.europa.eu/doc...in%20ivory.pdf

In practice only museums are really allowed to import export fine objects even pre 1947

milandro · 27th June 2022, 03:51 PM

maybe this will help, but you can see that in most cases from January 2022 onwards almost that everything that was allowed in now suspended or prohibited
Import to and out the EU of antique is ONLY to museums

Green · 28th June 2022, 08:17 AM

Many thanks again Milandro for this concise table.

My understanding is the ivory meant here are elephant tusks/ivory . But no mention regarding marine ivories (whales/walrus etc). Does this mean that for items containing other ivories we still can buy and import (with proper documentations)?

Also, does anyone have guidelines for USA?

David · 28th June 2022, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green

Many thanks again Milandro for this concise table.

My understanding is the ivory meant here are elephant tusks/ivory . But no mention regarding marine ivories (whales/walrus etc). Does this mean that for items containing other ivories we still can buy and import (with proper documentations)?

Also, does anyone have guidelines for USA?

I'm not at all certain about the UK rulings on this, but i believe that in most other places marine ivory is dealt with in the same manner as elephant ivory.
It should also be noted that in most cases customs officials are not that well schooled in determining the difference between elephant and marine ivory. If they find it without the proper paperwork they will probably confiscate it no matter whether it is elephant, hippo, walrus, whale or dugong. Do NOT count on them being able to tell.

fernando · 28th June 2022, 06:30 PM

Amen to that !.

SidJ · 10th July 2022, 10:28 AM

In the UK the Ivory Act 2018 is now in force. A search will bring up the Act online. Government guidance on the application of the Act is also available. The Act only applies to tusks from living species of elephant. Mammoth and marine ivories are not covered. There is a technical allowance of ivory of it makes up less than 10% by volume of the whole item subject to other caveats. All auction houses in the UK have stopped selling ivory as I understand it. The penalties are stiff for buyer and seller and the government will be looking to set an example by enforcing the Act.

27th June 2022, 03:51 PM	#3
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 487	maybe this will help, but you can see that in most cases from January 2022 onwards almost that everything that was allowed in now suspended or prohibited Import to and out the EU of antique is ONLY to museums Attached Images

27th June 2022, 03:27 PM	#1
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 321	Many thanks for these official guidelines Milandro. The way I understand it it is still possible to 'deal' with ivory if proper documentations (import/export /cites certificates) are in order.

27th June 2022, 03:44 PM	#2
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 487	I am not so sure, I think the hurdles may be such that it would be only theoretically possible to deal even in antique objects https://theada.co.uk/much-stricter-e...nuary-19-2022/ “... Clampdown despite low-level risk of antiques The tighter restrictions are announced in a document that acknowledges the low level of risk posed by antiques: “It is highly unlikely that internal EU trade of pre-1947 antiques or pre-1975 musical instruments would contribute to illegal trade of ivory or demand for illegal ivory, given also that such remaining trade will be strictly controlled.” However, the paperwork and potential costs of compliance are likely to make much trade uneconomic, while the burden of proving the legality of an item falls more heavily on the applicant under the EU’s precautionary principle, where the need to mitigate risk outweighs the presumption of innocence. Although this sets an ethical standard, its practical application is another matter. The guidance shows authorities will require evidence of legal acquisition, which may not exist in the case of an heirloom, for instance. Erika Bocherau, the director general of CINOA, the international art market federation representing around 5,000 dealer globally, has led the negotiations with the Commission on behalf of the market. She said: “The impact of the new restrictions will be felt by both the trade and private individuals. It is hard to digest that the EU’s new restrictions on the trade of antique worked ivory were approved even though legislators acknowledge that none of the EU Member States have been identified as countries that are implicated in the illicit ivory trade.” This report first appeared the Art Newspaper. “ and more https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021...on-ivory-trade here you will find download link https://environment.ec.europa.eu/doc...in%20ivory.pdf In practice only museums are really allowed to import export fine objects even pre 1947

28th June 2022, 08:17 AM	#4
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 321	Many thanks again Milandro for this concise table. My understanding is the ivory meant here are elephant tusks/ivory . But no mention regarding marine ivories (whales/walrus etc). Does this mean that for items containing other ivories we still can buy and import (with proper documentations)? Also, does anyone have guidelines for USA?

28th June 2022, 06:30 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Amen to that !.

10th July 2022, 10:28 AM	#7
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 207	In the UK the Ivory Act 2018 is now in force. A search will bring up the Act online. Government guidance on the application of the Act is also available. The Act only applies to tusks from living species of elephant. Mammoth and marine ivories are not covered. There is a technical allowance of ivory of it makes up less than 10% by volume of the whole item subject to other caveats. All auction houses in the UK have stopped selling ivory as I understand it. The penalties are stiff for buyer and seller and the government will be looking to set an example by enforcing the Act.