Process

Under the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (the "Act"), any of the 103 signatories to the 1970 UNESCO Convention, may submit a request to the U.S. seeking import controls on certain categories of archaeological or ethnological materials.

A request is submitted to the United States Department of State which has the delegated authority to carry out the president's decision-making functions and specifically to make a determination about whether a request merits the imposition of U.S. import restrictions.

Before the State Department reaches a decision, it considers the recommendation of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee. Appointed by the president, the committee consists of eleven private citizens who are expert in archaeology and anthropology; expert in the international sale of cultural property; and who represent the interests of museums and the general public. The State Department provides technical and administrative support to the committee.

Implementation of Agreements

To date, the U.S. has entered into cultural property agreements or taken emergency action to protect archaeological and/or ethnological materials in Bolivia, Cambodia, Cyprus Archaeological Material, Cyprus Ethnological Material, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Mali, Nicaragua, and Peru.

The restriction on Aymara Indian textiles from Coroma, Bolivia has expired. The restriction on archaeological and ethnological material representing the Aboriginal cultures of Canada has expired. A chart summarizes this information, including when each restriction went into effect.

Exceptions to Import Restrictions

All restricted objects may enter the U.S. if accompanied by an export permit issued by the country of origin, or by verifiable documentation that demonstrates they left the country of origin prior to the date the import restriction went into effect. Restricted materials also may enter the U.S. for temporary exhibition if they have been granted immunity from seizure under the current regulations.