How to export or import elephant product
Wildlife trade fact sheet
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2008
PDF file
Please note: The material in this fact sheet is provided for general information only and should not be relied upon for the purpose of a particular matter. While efforts have been made to keep this material current, it may not exactly reflect Commonwealth legislation or Australia's international obligations. For further information call the Department of the Environment and Heritage on 02 6274 1900.
This information sheet provides specific information on how to legally export or import elephant products under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It should be read in conjunction with the general information sheets entitled: Permits to export or import wildlife or wildlife products and The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Introduction
The Australian Government is committed to protecting and conserving Australian native wildlife by regulating international trade. This helps to protects targeted species against overexploitation, and also protects Australian ecosystems against the introduction of invasive species.
The Australian Government also supports the efforts of other nations to protect their wildlife, by implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).1
In Australia, the export and import of wildlife and wildlife products is regulated under Part 13A of the EPBC Act, which is administered by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Regulation applies equally to individuals, commercial organisations and not-for-profit organisations.
Elephants and CITES
Elephant ivory has been highly sought after for jewellery and ornaments for centuries. Elephant specimens are also traded as hunting trophies and leather goods.
Both elephant species (African and Asian) have been included in response to a decline in their wild populations as a result of unregulated international trade. Under a “stricter domestic measure”, all populations of these species are treated under the EPBC Act as CITES Appendix I.
Exports
No elephant specimens may be exported for personal or commercial purposes, except under a pre-CITES certificate (see below).
Imports
No elephant specimens may be imported for personal or commercial purposes, except under a pre-CITES certificate (see below).
Special import requirements may exist for conservation breeding and research.
Special permits and exemptions
Specimens of CITES listed species acquired before the provisions of CITES applied to that species, are not subject to normal permitting requirements and may be exported or imported under a pre-CITES certificate issued by the CITES management authority of the country of export.
What else do I need to know?
Be aware that many other substances either intentionally or incidentally resemble elephant ivory. Be prepared to give customs officers and other officials an account of the nature and origin of any specimens made of such substances, to ensure that they are not seized unnecessarily.
Exports and imports of wildlife and wildlife products may also be subject to regulation under the Customs Act 1901 (administered by the Australian Customs Service) and the Quarantine Act 1908 (administered by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service). These organisations may be contacted through offices in each state capital, or through their head offices:
Australian Customs Service
Customs House
5 Constitution Avenue
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Telephone: (02) 6275 6666
Website: www.customs.gov.au
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Telephone: (02) 6272 3933
Freecall: 1800 020 504
Website: www.aqis.gov.au
Where can I get more information?
For more information on permits, please read the general information sheet entitled: “Permits to export or import wildlife and wildlife products”, or contact the department at the address below:
International Wildlife Trade Section
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO BOX 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone: (02) 6274 1900
Facsimile: (02) 6274 1921
E-mail: wildlifetrade@environment.gov.au
Website: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use
1. See separate fact sheet entitled "CITES" for further information.
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