International trade in elephant ivory is banned. However, many countries – including the UK, US, Thailand and Japan – have domestic markets where it is legal to buy and sell ivory certified as antique or coming from legal stockpiles.

What countries is ivory illegal?

The United States implemented a near-total ban on elephant ivory trade in 2016, and the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, and other elephant ivory markets followed suit.

Is ivory illegal worldwide?

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) decided to end international ivory trade in 1989. This year marks thirty years since the ban entered into effect, on January 18, 1990.

Does ivory grow back?

Elephant tusks do not grow back, but rhino horns do. An elephants tusks are actually its teeth — its incisors, to be exact. This means ivory would have to come from culled elephants and ones that die naturally.

Is antique ivory illegal to sell?

As of the 2016 National Strategy on Wildlife Trafficking law, it is illegal to sell ivory although there are some exceptions to the law. Items must contain no more than 200 grams of ivory. Items that are at least 100 years old are exempt, but you must be able to provide proof of age.