Coral & Seashells → United States

Coral & Seashells restricted; documentation or permits may apply

Details

Coral & Seashells restricted; documentation or permits may apply. Documentation: Check destination requirements. Enforcement in United States carries fines from USD 300 to USD 10,000 under 19 USC § 1497 (failure to declare); 19 USC § 1592 (fraudulent entry) (ordinary personal cases are handled as civil infringements). Restricted status means compliant carriage is achievable with the right paperwork and quantities; the practical risks are seizure, duty, and delay rather than criminal liability for a good-faith traveller. Arrival checks are carried out by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving United States with coral & seashells is a separate question: restricted — Corals are CITES-listed — taking coral out of United States requires permits, while ordinary non-protected seashells move freely in small quantities.

Documentation required

• Check destination requirements

Leaving with this item

Corals are CITES-listed — taking coral out of United States requires permits, while ordinary non-protected seashells move freely in small quantities.

Practical advice

United States restricts import of Coral & Seashells. Cultural-property protection is bilateral: both origin export rules and destination import rules apply. Carry provenance documentation demonstrating lawful acquisition and (where applicable) origin-country export licence. Museum-loan and dealer-import categories operate under separate frameworks with pre-approved dealer registration.

Customs authority

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) · https://www.cbp.gov