Declare ivory you intend to sell or hire out
Use this service to register or apply for an exemption certificate to deal in ivory.
Use this service to:
- register a single item under a standard exemption
- apply for an exemption certificate for a pre-1918 item that is of outstandingly high artistic, cultural or historical value
- notify us that you intend to sell or hire out an item that has an exemption certificate that was awarded to someone else
To register a group of items (3 to 20 items) under a standard exemption, email APHA at ivoryact@apha.gov.uk, stating which exemption you plan to apply under, for an application form.
Dealing in ivory means:
- buying, selling or hiring it
- offering or arranging to buy, sell or hire it
- keeping it for sale or hire
- exporting it from the UK for sale or hire
- importing it into the UK for sale or hire
Throughout the service we use ‘sell or hire out’ when referring to all the ways you might be dealing in ivory.
Under the ban:
- buying includes acquiring ivory for valuable consideration, such as a trade or swap with something that has value, or for a discount in a store
- selling includes disposing of ivory for valuable consideration, such as a trade or swap with something that has value, or for a discount in a store
- offering includes advertising and inviting an offer
It is an offence to:
- breach the ban
- cause the ban to be breached
- facilitate a breach of the ban
Before you start
Read the guidance for dealing in items containing ivory or made of ivory.
You can also register or certify your item by post or email. You need to state which exemption you are applying under. To request a paper application, contact APHA at ivoryact@apha.gov.uk or write to:
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Centre for International Trade - Bristol
Horizon House
Deanery Road
Bristol
BS1 5AH
The cost of registering a single item under one of the standard exemptions is £20. The cost of registering a group of 3 to 20 items is £50.
You will need make a non-refundable payment of £250 to apply for an exemption certificate.
You will need to make a £20 payment to notify us that you intend to sell or hire out an item with an exemption certificate that was issued to someone else.