Import and export of elephant tusk (ivory) and rhinoceros horn

The Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations have been amended to implement stricter measures on the import and export of elephant tusk (ivory) and rhinoceros horn. These changes will come into effect on January 8, 2024.

Are you planning to take elephant ivory or rhino horn in or out of Canada?

Background

Global elephant and rhinoceros populations are threatened by sustained population declines. The main threat they face is poaching, fueled by the demand for their tusks (elephants) and horns (rhinoceros). Even with global measures in place to prevent poaching and illegal trade, legal sources of elephant tusk (also commonly referred to as elephant ivory) and rhinoceros horn provide markets for these items, as well as opportunities for traffickers to launder these materials, which sustains the threat to these species.

To support the global effort to address this problem, Canada has introduced strengthened restrictions on the import and export of elephant tusk (ivory) and rhino horn. The objectives of these changes are to:

• contribute to the conservation of elephants and rhinoceros by limiting Canada’s participation in the international commercial trade of elephant tusk (ivory) and rhinoceros horn, and
• improve monitoring of elephant tusk (ivory) and rhinoceros horn cross border movement to provide for a more complete picture of Canada’s participation in this trade and facilitate border controls

What has changed

For all items entering or leaving Canada made of or that contain RAW elephant tusk (ivory) and RAW rhinoceros horn:

Import and export continues to be prohibited without a permit.

• However, permits may now only be issued for specimens that will be used in a museum or zoo, for scientific research, or to support law enforcement activities
• Hunting trophies of raw elephant tusk (ivory) or rhinoceros horn will no longer be permitted

For all items entering or leaving Canada that are or contain WORKED elephant tusk (ivory) and WORKED rhinoceros horn:

Permits are required for the import and export of all items of worked elephant tusk (ivory) or rhinoceros horn, including those that are personal or household effects. This includes, but is not limited to, items such as musical instruments, jewelry, game pieces, cutlery handles and sculptures.

• This also applies to items that are considered “pre-convention” (i.e. harvested prior to July 1975)

What has not changed

• Canadians may still own or possess legally obtained elephant tusk (ivory) and rhinoceros horn
• The measures for the import and export of ivory from other species, such as narwhal and walrus, remain the same. These amendments strictly apply to elephant tusk (ivory) and rhino horn
• The permit requirements for the commercial import and export of worked elephant tusk (ivory) and rhinoceros horn remain the same

New permitting requirements for worked elephant tusk (ivory) and rhinoceros horn

Importing or exporting RAW elephant tusk (ivory) or rhinoceros horn is strictly prohibited unless you are one of the following and you have the appropriate permits: Scientists, Museums, Traveling Exhibition, Zoos, or Law Enforcement.

Obtaining permits

Further information on permits, as well as application forms, can be found at Permits for trade in protected species.

Note: The new permit requirements will be in force as of January 8, 2024.  Items coming into or out of Canada on and after this date will require the appropriate permits. If it can be shown that the imported or exported item was in transit before November 22, 2023, (CGII publication) ECCC will not apply the new requirements even if they arrive at the border after the coming into force date.

For more information

For more information on the regulatory changes made to the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations, including rationale and results of consultations, please refer to the Canada Gazette Part II publication.

Contact us

If you have any questions or comments about the import or export of elephant tusk (ivory), rhinoceros horn, or species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered species (CITES), or if you want assistance in completing permit application forms, contact us at:

CITES Canada - Management Authority
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada
351, St. Joseph Blvd, PVM - 15th floor,
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

Telephone: 1-855-869-8670
Fax: 1-855-869-8671
email: cites@ec.gc.ca
website: CITES

The information presented here is a summary of the law. If there is a discrepancy with the information presented in the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, the legislation and relevant regulations prevail.