Why is taking ivory tusks from elephants illegal? Behind every piece of ivory—whether it be a full tusk or carved trinket—is a dead elephant. Poachers kill about 20,000 elephants every single year for their tusks, which are then traded illegally in the international market to eventually end up as ivory trinkets.
Yes, you CAN keep your ivory. It is illegal to import any item containing African-elephant ivory for commercial purposes. However, some items containing African-elephant ivory -- including musical instruments and items in an inheritance or a household move -- may be imported for non-commercial purposes, but ONLY IF:
It's important to note that regulations do not restrict personal possession of ivory. If you already own ivory – an heirloom carving that's been passed down in your family, or a vintage musical instrument with ivory components, those pieces are yours.
Endangered wildlife species, and products made from them, generally may not be imported or exported. You will need a permit from the FWS to import virtually all types of ivory, unless it is from a warthog.
You may keep them, display them, will them to an heir, or gift them to a friend, but you can't exchange them for currency or trade them for goods or services. You could donate them to a museum or non-profit, or surrender them to the government for destruction, but illegal ivory can't be used as a tax-write off.
Ivory objects will continue to be allowed to be sold if they are identified and licensed as “ivory relics” by professional bodies. The term “relic” is usually taken to mean objects that pre-date the 1949 revolution.
The Ivory Trade is Big Business
Globally, the ivory trade is estimated to be worth $23 billion per year. And given that ivory sells for approximately $3,300 per pound, poachers have plenty of motivation to continue killing elephants for their tusks.
Federal wildlife laws and regulations such as CITES, the ESA, and the AfECA do not prohibit donating or giving away your ivory item, or receiving an ivory item as a donation or a gift, provided it was lawfully acquired and there is no exchange for other goods or services involved.
Ivory appraisal, identification and pre-ban certification
Ivory Experts consists of a group of art historians and appraisers with experience of many years researching famous ivory carvers, authenticating their works, dating ivory pieces and appraising their value.
Attend a Toss the Tusk event near you and we'll help you! All the necessary forms and information to surrender your ivory will be provided at the event, and zoo staff will be available to help ensure an easy process.
The Ivory Act 2018 bans people from dealing in ivory. It also applies to anyone who causes, arranges or helps someone else to deal in ivory.
Human teeth, like ivory, are composed of dentin and enamel. However, the ratio of dentin to enamel in human teeth is lower than in ivory, making teeth harder and more resistant to wear. Additionally, the color of human teeth is generally more yellowish compared to ivory.
Ivory exports are now limited to proven antiques and a short list of non-commercial items that are still allowed. Killing elephants for their tusks to buy and sell ivory should be made illegal.
Ivory and bone may develop an attractive brownish yellow "patina" over the years. This is the result of a natural aging process and, as there is rarely any aesthetic reason for trying to whiten the artifact, no attempt should be made to remove this patina.
The test consists of heating up the point of a needle until it's red-hot and then pricking what you believe is your ivory carving. If the needle goes in, it's plastic; if not, it's probably ivory, or at least bone.
Prized for its beauty and usefulness, ivory is durable, relatively easy to carve in fine detail, and has a smooth, lustrous appearance. In comparison to teeth or tusks from other animals, elephant ivory has been favored because of its large size and homogenous appearance.
Despite a 23-year ban on international trade in ivory, many people still own pieces that have been legally passed down through their family. Antique broker David Harper explained to BBC Radio 4's Today programme that while it is within the law to own ivory, it "is illegal to sell" anything created or carved after 1947.
Legally, you can only sell it if you can prove that it was hunted and made before Ivory was outlawed. If the piece isn't dated or if there isn't a way to definitely prove age, then you're not legally permitted to sell it.
The ivory trade today
Although the trade of ivory is heavily restricted today, critics say that any legal form of ivory trade encourages illegal poaching—and, as a result, trade in ivory is still very lucrative.
If you have inherited pieces of jewelry or luxury goods made with ivory or ivory components, you can donate them to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). The USFWS Office of Law Enforcement's National Wildlife Repository in Commerce City, Colorado, accepts donations of legally owned ivory products.
Apart from these specially-approved sales, the ban on international ivory trade has remained in place. Ivory stockpile. However, many countries – including the UK, US, Thailand and Japan – have domestic markets where it is legal to buy and sell ivory certified as antique or coming from legal stockpiles.
Poachers kill about 20,000 elephants every single year for their tusks, which are then traded illegally in the international market to eventually end up as ivory trinkets. This trade is mostly driven by demand for ivory in parts of Asia.
It's important to note that the new regulations do not restrict personal possession of ivory. If you already own ivory – an heirloom carving that's been passed down in your family, or a vintage musical instrument with ivory components, those pieces are yours.
If your item qualifies for exemption, you must register it or apply for and be awarded an exemption certificate before you can deal in the item using the declare ivory you intend to sell or hire out service. If you need help deciding if your item may qualify for exemption, use the ivory item eligibility checker.
You can often tell the age of an ivory piece by its color. Since ivory is a natural material, it acquires a patina over time. An ivory patina is usually dull yellow or brown — beware of a bright yellow patina, as this could indicate artificial aging.