Elephant products
Importing or exporting elephant products
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 on the CITES list in response to a decline in their wild populations as a result of unregulated international trade. In Australia, under a stricter domestic measure, all populations of these species are treated as CITES Appendix I (trade usually prohibited).
All elephant products have been declared Appendix I
Exports
No elephant specimens may be exported for personal or commercial uses, except under a pre-CITES certificate.
Imports
No elephant specimens may be imported for personal or commercial uses, except under a pre-CITES certificate.
Special import requirements may exist for conservation breeding and research.
Take care
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.
Customs and quarantine
Exports and imports of wildlife and wildlife products may also be subject to regulation under the Customs Act 1901 (administered by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service ) and the Quarantine Act 1908 (administered by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service ).
See also
- How to export or import elephant product
- Seized items and caution notices
- Internationally endangered plants and animals
Export and import guides
- How to export and import CITES plants and animals
- CITES specimens as personal effects
- Butterfly specimens
- Caviar
- Complementary medicines
- Crocodiles
- Elephant products
- Hoodia
- Hunting trophies
- Online (Internet) shopping
Ivory antiques
NOTE: Items purchased before 1 July 1975 can be imported or exported with a Pre-CITES certificate.
Wildlife trade regulation
Exports and imports of plants and animals (including products) may be subject to regulation under the following legislation:
EPBC Act 1999
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Customs Act 1901
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
Quarantine Act 1908
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service