Buy or hire an ivory item
How to check if an ivory item you are buying or hiring has been correctly registered or certified, and how to register as a new owner.
From 6 June,June you2022, willit notis beagainst ablethe law to dealbuy inor hire ivory items containingunless orthey madeare ofregistered elephantas ivoryexempt or certified as exempt, under the Ivory Act 2018.
If unlessyou theystarted areyour registeredtransaction before 6 June
There is a transition period for transactions that started before 6 June.
If you started a transaction before 6 June you have until 3 July to complete it, without needing to register or certifiedapply asfor exempt.an exemption certificate.
If your transaction cannot be completed by 3 July, you’ll need to pause it and either:
- register or apply for an exemption certificate for items that meet the exemption criteria
- cancel the transaction entirely
You cannot continue your transaction until you have a registration or exemption certificate.
The Ivory Act 2018 applies to dealing in items containing ivory or made of ivory. It is both the seller’s and the buyer’s responsibility, as well as that of anyone involved in arranging a sale or purchase to check if an item can be lawfully traded.
If you are selling an ivory item read the guide for dealing in items containing ivory or made of ivory.
If you are buying or hiring an exempted item, you need to feel confident that it has been correctly registered or certified and meets the exemption conditions. You could be committing an offence under the Act if you do not carry out due diligence.
When an item is registered the owner will get a reference number. When an item is certified the owner will get an exemption certificate. Before you agree to buy or hire an item, ask the owner for confirmation of the item’s registration or the exemption certification document.
An exemption certificate will contain information on the type of item, the location of the ivory and any distinguishing features, and a photograph of the item.
This should help you check the item you are being offered is the item certified. After a purchase, the exemption certificate should be passed to the new owner with the ivory item.
You can also send the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) the registration reference number or exemption certificate number to be sent photographs and information about that item.
Before you buy or hire an item you should ask for copies of the documents and supporting evidence that was used to register the item or apply for the exemption certificate.
If you are a new owner of an ivory item
If you are the new owner of an ivory item, you must contact the APHA to notify them. You’ll need to provide:
- the item’s registration submission reference number or exemption certificate reference number
- your name
- your postal address
- your email address
There is no fee to update these details as a new owner.
Last updated
-
Updated to reflect the Ivory Act came into force from 6 June 2022. Provided information about the transition period for existing ivory transactions.
-
From 6 June, you will not be able to deal in items containing or made of elephant ivory under the Ivory Act 2018 unless they are registered as exempt or certified as exempt.
-
First published.
Update history
2025-01-28 00:05
This guidance now covers ivory from the following species: elephant, hippopotamus, killer whale, narwhal and sperm whale. The structure and wording of the guidance has been updated to make it clearer.
2022-07-04 00:15
Removed reference to the transition period for transactions that started before 6 June as this has now expired.
2022-06-06 00:15
Updated to reflect the Ivory Act came into force from 6 June 2022. Provided information about the transition period for existing ivory transactions.
2022-03-16 09:00
From 6 June, you will not be able to deal in items containing or made of elephant ivory under the Ivory Act 2018 unless they are registered as exempt or certified as exempt.
2022-02-24 00:00
First published.