Ivory & CITES Regulations

Overview

Specialists at Richard Winterton Auctioneers offer important advice and help with regards to UK regulations for ivory and endangered species as per CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This includes explaining regulations and processes and obtaining exemption certifications and licenses in line with the law.

Ivory

The Ivory Act 2018 bans people in the UK from dealing in ivory. This guidance applies to anyone who deals in ivory, or causes, arranges or helps someone else to deal in ivory.

Those in breach of the law face heavy penalties including fines and a potential prison sentence.

Exemptions

Five categories of ivory items may be exempt from the ban, if they meet specific criteria:

• Pre-1918 items of outstanding artistic, cultural or historical value and importance
• Pre-1918 portrait miniatures
• Pre-1947 items with low (ie less than 10%) ivory content
• Pre-1975 musical instruments with low ivory content
• Acquisitions made by qualifying museums.

For items considered to qualify in one of the above categories, Richard Winterton Auctioneers can organise exemption registration certificates as applicable.

CITES

In the United Kingdom, trade of endangered species is regulated by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

CITES is an international agreement between governments which aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.

Those moving or trading a CITES listed species without a valid permit or certificate could result in a prison sentence of up to seven years, an unlimited fine, or both.

Common items which might come under CITES regulations include furniture, musical instruments and taxidermy.

Richard Winterton Auctioneers offers clients the option to apply for a CITES license where applicable on their behalf in order to continue with the legal sale of an item.