Customs Notice 24-02: Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)'s new import and export restrictions on elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn
Ottawa,
1. Effective , raw elephant ivory and raw rhinoceros horn are prohibited from being imported into or exported from Canada, unless the proper permits are obtained, which will be issued only for specimens destined for a museum or zoo, used in scientific research, or used in support of law enforcement activities. Permits are also required for the import and export of all items of worked elephant tusk (ivory) or worked rhinoceros horn, including those that are personal effects or household effects.
2. Raw elephant tusk (ivory) and rhinoceros horn includes the whole tusk or horn, polished or unpolished and in any form, cut pieces, polished or unpolished and changed from its original form, except for ‘worked' elephant tusk (ivory) or rhinoceros horn.
3. Worked elephant tusk or rhinoceros horn has been carved, shaped or processed, either fully or partially. This does not include whole tusks or horns in any form, except where the whole surface has been carved. This includes, but is not limited to, items such as musical instruments, jewelry, game pieces, cutlery handles and sculptures.
4. A permit for the import or export of raw elephant ivory or rhinoceros horn or the import and export of all worked elephant tusk (ivory) or rhinoceros horn items will be issued under subsection 10(1) of WAPPRIITA.
5. Hunting trophies that are or contain raw elephant tusk (ivory) or rhinoceros horn are prohibited from importation into and exportation from Canada. Import/export permits will no longer be issued for these items, regardless of when they were hunted or obtained.
6. Exhibitions or musicians travelling to Canada with a CITES Travelling Exhibition Certificate or CITES Musical Instrument Certificate will also need a Canadian certificate to allow entry into Canada.
7. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)’s new restrictions on the import and export of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn have been implemented via amendments to the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations (WAPTR) by adding the following Elephant tusk and rhinoceros sections 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3.
8. These strengthened import and export restrictions are anticipated to contribute to the conservation of elephants and rhinoceros by limiting Canada’s participation in the international commercial trade of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn, and to improve monitoring of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn cross border movements, providing a more complete picture of Canada’s participation in this trade and facilitating border controls.
9. If you started the process of exporting or importing after , you are required to apply for the necessary permits. If it can be shown that importing or exporting was in process before , ECCC will not apply the new requirements even if they arrive to the border after the coming into force date.
10. Further information on these amendments or how to obtain permits, can be found at Import and export of elephant tusk (ivory) and rhinoceros horn - Canada.ca. Or, please contact ECCC at cites@ec.gc.ca.
11. Importers are reminded of the requirement under the Customs Act that information reported to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) must be true, accurate and complete. This means that the scientific or taxonomic names of all rhinoceros and elephant items/products imported must be declared upon entry. Importers must report scientific names of all imported elephant and rhinoceros items/products in the commodity description field of Form CI1, Canada Customs Invoice or the commercial invoice, either electronic or paper as per the instructions in Memorandum D1-4-1, CBSA Invoice Requirements, and/or in accordance with the technical requirements, specifications and procedures for electronic data interchange as set out in the Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (ECCRD).
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