Ivory & CITES-Listed Items → United Kingdom

One of the world's strictest ivory bans under the Ivory Act 2018.

Details

The UK Ivory Act 2018 created one of the most comprehensive ivory trade bans in the world, covering virtually all dealing in elephant ivory. The ban prohibits the importation, export, and dealing of ivory items with very limited exceptions: pre-1918 items of outstanding artistic, cultural, or historical significance; pre-1947 musical instruments; portrait miniatures pre-1918; antique items with less than 10% ivory by volume pre-1947 (but post-Brexit rules have become stricter); and sales between qualifying museums. Travellers cannot bring ivory purchased abroad (even genuine antiques) into the UK without satisfying very narrow exemption criteria. APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) enforces imports, and Border Force confiscates ivory.

Quantity limit

Essentially zero without narrow exemption

Documentation required

• APHA exemption certificate or museum certification for permitted categories
• CITES permit for non-exempt CITES Appendix I specimens

Legal reference

Ivory Act 2018; CITES Implementation under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations 2018 (COTES)

Practical advice

Do not purchase ivory items abroad with the intention of bringing them to the UK. The burden of proof for exemptions is very high and rarely met for tourist purchases.

Customs authority

His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) · https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs