Ivory & CITES-Listed Items → United States

Commercial ivory trade is banned. Personal importation subject to narrow exemptions.

Details

The United States imposed a near-total ban on commercial elephant ivory trade in 2016 under an ESA rule administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Importation of elephant ivory is prohibited except for qualifying antique ivory (over 100 years old with documentation) and pre-ban sport-hunted trophies under specific permit conditions. Personal importation of tourist purchases, souvenir carvings, or jewellery containing elephant ivory is not permitted. USFWS and CBP inspect items at ports of entry. Civil penalties up to USD 50,000 and criminal penalties including imprisonment apply. Ivory from other CITES-listed species (e.g., narwhal, walrus) has separate permit requirements.

Quantity limit

Essentially zero for commercial ivory; antiques require documentation

Documentation required

• CITES import permit (for any CITES Appendix I/II specimens)
• Documentation proving pre-1976 or antique status for exemptions
• ESA permit from USFWS if applicable

Legal reference

Endangered Species Act (ESA); CITES Implementation (50 CFR Parts 13, 14, 17, 23); 2016 USFWS Final Rule

Practical advice

Do not purchase ivory souvenirs abroad. Even antique ivory requires extensive documentation. When in doubt, assume the item is prohibited and leave it behind.

Customs authority

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