Export/Import of Inuit Eskimo Art Sculpture Containing Whalebone or Ivory

The export of certain Inuit sculpture from Canada to other parts of the world including the United States does have some restrictions. In order to reduce harvesting of marine animals such as whales and walruses, the United States Congress passed the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972. It was later modified in 1981 and a special section (101) of the act was developed to exclude Eskimo Inuit and other aboriginals living in the state of Alaska. Section 101 allowed Alaskan Natives to continue their traditions of hunting marine mammals for food and using parts of such animals as raw materials in the making of clothes, crafts and artwork.

The act makes it illegal for American citizens to import any ivory or whalebone from outside the United States. Therefore, American citizens would not be allowed to purchase any artwork containing ivory or whalebone from Canada and have it brought or shipped back to the United States. However, the act as it stands allows American citizens to purchase similar artwork from Alaska since it is part of the United States. The export of such artwork created from marine mammals from the United States to Canada is not allowed.

Inuit sculpture containing whalebone, walrus or narwal tusks (both considered ivory) are restricted from import and export. However, Inuit sculpture containing caribou antler is allowed since caribou is not a marine mammal and therefore does not fall under this act.

Exporting Inuit sculpture containing whalebone or ivory from Canada to other international destinations will depend on each specific country as each has its own specific regulations. Fines or penalties for importing or exporting illegal items can be very severe.

Fortunately, other forms of Inuit art such as stone or antler carvings and prints are not only able to be exported across the border, but are actually duty free.

Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery (http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca), an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Your Souls Purpose Is Found In the Zodiac

Of course, science has explained this to us, and we... Read More

Precious Stones The Big Five-Part 5 The Pearl

Since pearls are so rare and possess such a high... Read More

How to Make Your Civil War Uniform Shirt

Your own shirt designed and made by you for your... Read More

Moissanite Earrings, The Modern Brazilian Beetle

The history of earrings is a varied history indeed. And... Read More

Propaganda and American Journalism, Born Joined at Birth

Passion was the main stuff of journalism long before the... Read More

Precious Stones v.s. Semi-Precious Stones

Stones have been worn by both women and men since... Read More

Sir Francis Drake

FRANCIS DRAKE: - It is my perspective that history has... Read More

American Citizenship

Can We Pass The Test?American CitizenshipI'm the daughter of an... Read More

A Short Biography on Some of Europes Most Loved and Hated Monarchs - Pt 5 Charles II

Born in 1630, Charles II was the second eldest son... Read More

Tsunami Aftermath

On December 26, 2004 a massive tsunami swept through Thailand... Read More

How To Get Rich and Die Quick!

It is funny how web site promotion can suddently plunge... Read More

The Five Feng Shui Elements and Their Characteristics

Feng shui handles five main elements in order to achieve... Read More

Art, Women, and Creativity

Women have been given the greatest gift of creativity there... Read More

Progress Versus Perfection

From the creative explosion marking the outset of the universe... Read More

Family, Incest, and Law

Family Values in Ancient Times:Many people of the present make... Read More

Arthur Koestler

ARTHUR KOESTLER:Humanitarian, historian and scientist are just a few of... Read More

Precious Stones The Big Five - Part 4 The Diamond

The diamond is generally regarded as the premier gem in... Read More

Synchronized Swimming, Dolphin Cognition and Visualization

As humans become more technologically advanced and are able to... Read More

African Masks The Art of Creation

With western eyes we tend to view a tribal mask... Read More

Personal Protection Specialists and Celebrity Stalking

Celebrity stalking has become the way for the socially inept... Read More

Troubadours

CHRETIEN DE TROYES:Academics will freely admit that this man was... Read More

Josephine the Merovingian

I cannot emphasize enough the dearth of information, or the... Read More

Egyptian Handmade Perfume Bottles

Blown glass, a very ancient technique, is the oldest among... Read More

Mexican Living: Myth Busting

Myth One: Mexicans are lazy, good-for-nothings.I mention this one first... Read More

Humans are not special, hate to break it to you

I hate to break it to you, but humans are... Read More

Sterling Silver Jewelry - The Rest Of The Story

Silver is widely diffused but is rarely found in the... Read More

A Maiden Trip

I belong to a hamlet called 'Konthai' which is in... Read More

Timbuktu and Brotherhood Too

Juba II in America:Ahmed Osman tells us about the destruction... Read More

Spainīs Flag - A Red And Yellow Beauty

Spainīs flag (the national one) is as colorful as the... Read More

Brazil--Comments by a Gilliam Fan a Little Too Late

Either I am one of the darkest people ever or... Read More

Mexican Living: Issues of Life

This morning when I got out of bed, I had... Read More

African Masks

The following is a general over view of African Masks.There... Read More

When We Was Kids In Chicago (Part 2)

From an early age my Mother sent me to the... Read More