Trying to Understand Ivory Legal Status

[AFAustin]

Can one of you knowledgeable members please explain to me about ivory? If I am remembering correctly, elephant ivory is under various bans and prohibitions from trade, etc. So, when you see ivory knife scales, is it from a "pre-ban" stock that is exempted, or....?

Thanks for any enlightenment.

Andrew

 

[gunstockjack]

Elephant ivory is prohibited from trade unless it has been in the country since 1973 (I believe) and can only be sold in the US; mammoth or other 'fossil' ivories are legal to trade; fresh ivory from walrus (and possibly others, like narwhal) are illegal to trade in the US, but legal in Canada. I'm sure there are a lot of laws I'm skipping, but that's the basics to my knowledge.

 

[okbohn]

Some people think you have to have the paperwork to prove the origin, but I haven't found anything to show that. I always get it just to be on the safe side.

 

[AFAustin]

Thanks, gents. That helps.

Andrew

 

[brownshoe]

I know people who have returned from Africa and Egypt with ivory jewelry and an ivory letter opener all since the "ban" and within the last 10 years.

Paperwork is just that...paperwork. There is plenty of other handle material than "pre-ban" ivory for modern made pocket knives.