Regulations for selling Ivory have changed

08 Jun 2022

From 6 June 2022, it will be illegal to deal in items made of or containing ivory unless they meet 5 specific exemption criteria.

Ivory Act - Exemption Criteria

• Portrait miniatures made before 1918 with a surface area smaller than 320 square centimetres 
• Musical instruments made before 1975 with less than 20% ivory by volume
• Items with low ivory content made before 3 March 1947 with less than 10% ivory by volume
• Items that a qualifying museum intends to buy or hire
• Rare or important items, made before 1918 and of outstandingly high artistic, cultural, or historical value.

Detailed guidance on dealing in items made of or containing ivory and how you can register for an exemption can be found on the government website.

You can also email Animal and Plant Health Agency: ivoryact@apha.gov.uk

Visit the government website to learn more

Source: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs