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IVORY BAN - IMPORTANT UPDATE

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IVORY BAN - IMPORTANT UPDATE

The near-total ban on the trade in ivory came into force today (Monday 6 June, 2022).

From this date the ONLY ivory that can be sold BY ANYBODY, anywhere in the UK, is ivory that complies with five exemptions:

  1. Pre-1947 items containing less than 10% ivory by volume … but ONLY if granted an exemption certificate (£20 each)
  2. Pre-1975 musical instruments containing less than 20% ivory by volume … but ONLY if granted an exemption certificate (£20 each)
  3. Pre-1918 portrait miniatures with a surface area of no more than 320 sq cm … but ONLY if granted an exemption certificate (£20 each)
  4. Sales to, and hire agreements with qualifying museums … but ONLY if granted an exemption certificate (£20 each)
  5. Pre-1918 items with outstanding artistic, cultural or historic value … but ONLY if granted an exemption certificate (£250 each)

 

This does not just apply to solid ivory. In essence, anything of ivory, from an escutcheon on a chest of drawers to the handle on a teapot, renders that item illegal to sell unless it is accompanied by the correct certificate. If appropriate for an exemption, at the auction rooms we will be able to guide you on applying for a certificate through the government’s website.

 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/declare-ivory-you-intend-to-sell-or-hire-out

 

 

 

 

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