Ivory Act 2018
2018 c. 30An Act to prohibit dealing in ivory, and for connected purposes.
Enacted[20th December 2018]
Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Prohibition¶
I2I551 Prohibition on dealing in ivory¶
Exemption for outstandingly valuable and important pre-1918 items¶
I3I192 Pre-1918 items of outstanding artistic etc value and importance¶
I4I203 Applications for exemption certificates¶
I5I214 Further provision about exemption certificates¶
- “information” includes any declaration or photograph;
- “relevant information” means any information given to the Secretary of State under section 3 or this section;
- “specified information” means information specified in regulations made by the appropriate national authority.
I6I225 Fresh applications and appeals¶
Other exemptions¶
I7I236 Pre-1918 portrait miniatures¶
I8I247 Pre-1947 items with low ivory content¶
I9I258 Pre-1975 musical instruments¶
I10I269 Acquisitions by qualifying museums¶
- “ivory item” means—
- an item made of ivory, or
- an item that has ivory in it,
but does not include an item consisting only of unworked ivory; - “purchase” includes an acquisition for valuable consideration;
- “the relevant time” means the time of any activity that constitutes dealing in the ivory;
- “sale” includes a disposal for valuable consideration (and “sell” is to be read accordingly).
I11I2710 Registration¶
I3311 Further provision about registration¶
- “information” includes any declaration or photograph;
- “relevant information” means any information given to the Secretary of State under section 10 or this section;
- “the relevant exemption conditions” has the meaning given by section 10(2).
Criminal and civil sanctions¶
I35I5412 Offence of breaching the prohibition or causing or facilitating a breach¶
I36I5613 Civil sanctions¶
Schedule 1 (civil sanctions) has effect.Powers of entry, search and seizure¶
I7314 Power to stop and search persons¶
- “police or customs officer” means—
- a constable,
- a designated customs official, or
- a designated NCA officer authorised by the Director General of the National Crime Agency (whether generally or specifically) to exercise the powers of a police or customs officer under this Act;
- “relevant evidence” means evidence that a relevant offence has been committed;
- “relevant offence” means—
- an offence in connection with an exemption certificate or with registration under section 10, or
- an offence under section 12.
I7415 Power to stop and search vehicles¶
I7516 Power to board and search vessels and aircraft¶
I7617 Warrants authorising entry and search of premises¶
I7718 Further provision about search warrants¶
I9219 Powers of examination etc¶
I9320 Power to require production of documents etc¶
I9421 Powers of seizure etc¶
I9522 Accredited civilian officers: powers of entry¶
I9623 Other powers of accredited civilian officers¶
I9724 Excluded items¶
I9825 Further provision about seizure under section 21 or 23¶
I9926 Notices and records in relation to seized items¶
I10027 Powers of entry, search and seizure: supplementary provision¶
I10128 Offences of obstruction etc¶
Retention and disposal or return of items¶
I10229 Retention of seized items¶
I10330 Forfeiture of seized items by court on application¶
- “the appropriate court” means—
- in relation to England and Wales, a magistrates' court;
- in relation to Scotland, the sheriff;
- in relation to Northern Ireland, a court of summary jurisdiction;
- “police officer” means—
- a constable;
- a designated NCA officer authorised by the Director General of the National Crime Agency (whether generally or specifically) to exercise the powers of a constable under this Act.
I10431 Appeal against decision under section 30¶
I10532 Return of item to person entitled to it, or disposal if return impracticable¶
I10633 Forfeiture by court following conviction¶
General¶
I5334 Application of Customs and Excise Management Act 1979¶
I10735 Contracts of insurance etc¶
- “existing contract of insurance” means a contract of insurance entered into before the day on which section 1 comes into force;
- “insurance” includes reinsurance;
- “regulated insurance contract” means a contract of insurance effected or carried out by a regulated insurer;
- “regulated insurer” means a person who has permission to effect or carry out contracts of insurance under Part 4A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
I10836 Liability of corporate officers for offences by bodies corporate etc¶
37 Meaning of “ivory”¶
I13I2938 Meaning of other expressions¶
- “accredited civilian officer” has the meaning given by section 22(2);
- “the appropriate court” has the meaning given by section 30(8);
- “the appropriate national authority” has the meaning given by section 39(2) and (3);
- “dealing” has the meaning given by section 1(2) to (4);
- “designated customs official” means a person—
- designated as a general customs official under section 3(1) of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, or
- designated as a customs revenue official under section 11(1) of that Act;
- “designated NCA officer” means a National Crime Agency officer designated under section 10 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 as a person having either or both of the following—
- the powers and privileges of a constable;
- the powers of an officer of Revenue and Customs;
- “exemption certificate” has the meaning given by section 2(1);
- “justice” means—
- in England and Wales, a justice of the peace;
- in Scotland, a sheriff or summary sheriff or a justice of the peace;
- in Northern Ireland, a lay magistrate;
- “the Northern Ireland department” means the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland;
- “police officer” has the meaning given by section 30(8);
- “police or customs officer” has the meaning given by section 14(4);
- “pre-1918”, “pre-1947” and “pre-1975” are to be read in accordance with subsections (2) and (3);
- “premises” has the meaning given by section 17(7);
- “prescribed institution” has the meaning given by section 2(5);
- “the prohibition” means the prohibition in section 1;
- “relevant evidence” has the meaning given by 14(4);
- “relevant offence” has the meaning given by 14(4);
- “search warrant” means a warrant under section 17;
- “vessel” is to be read in accordance with subsection (4).
I14I3039 Regulations¶
I3440 Financial provision¶
Any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State under or by virtue of this Act is to be paid out of money provided by Parliament.I1741 Crown application¶
I15I3142 Extent¶
I1I1843 Commencement¶
I16I3244 Short title¶
This Act may be cited as the Ivory Act 2018.SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1 ¶
Civil sanctions
Section 13
Part 1 Monetary penalties¶
Imposition of monetary penalties¶
Representations and appeals etc¶
Information to be included in notices under paragraph 2¶
Monetary penalties: criminal proceedings and conviction¶
Part 2 Stop notices¶
Imposition of stop notices¶
Information to be included in stop notices¶
Completion certificates¶
Appeals¶
Offence of failure to comply with stop notice¶
Part 3 Enforcement undertakings¶
Part 4 Enforcement cost recovery notices¶
Imposition of enforcement cost recovery notices¶
Information to be included in enforcement cost recovery notices¶
Appeals¶
Part 5 Power to make supplementary provision etc by regulations¶
Supplementary regulations: general¶
Consultation¶
Monetary penalties and costs¶
Enforcement undertakings¶
Appeals¶
Part 6 General and supplemental¶
Combination of sanctions¶
Unincorporated associations¶
Guidance as to enforcement¶
Pre-commencement consultation¶
Reports on use of civil sanctions¶
Disclosure of information¶
Part 7 Interpretation¶
Interpretation of Schedule¶
- “completion certificate” has the meaning given by paragraph 7(2);
- “enforcement cost recovery notice” has the meaning given by paragraph 11(2);
- “enforcement undertaking” has the meaning given by paragraph 10(1)(b);
- “monetary penalty” has the meaning given by paragraph 1(2);
- “prescribed” means prescribed in supplementary regulations;
- “stop notice” has the meaning given by paragraph 5(1);
- “supplementary regulations” has the meaning given by paragraph 14(1).
SCHEDULE 2 ¶
Search warrants: England and Wales and Northern Ireland
Section 18
Part 1 Preliminary¶
Application of this Schedule¶
Interpretation¶
- “senior officer” means—
- a constable of at least the rank of inspector;
- a designated customs official of at least the grade of senior officer;
- a designated NCA officer of grade 3 or above;
- “specific-premises warrant” and “all-premises warrant” have the meaning given by section 17(4).
Part 2 Search warrants: applications and safeguards¶
Applications for warrants¶
Safeguards in connection with power of entry conferred by warrant¶
Part 3 Execution of search warrants¶
Warrant to be executed within one month¶
All-premises warrants¶
Search of premises more than once¶
Time of search¶
Evidence of authority etc¶
Extent of search¶
Securing premises after entry¶
Return and retention of warrant¶
Footnotes
- I1S. 43 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(n)
- I2S. 1 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 2
- I3S. 2 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(a)
- I4S. 3 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(b)
- I5S. 4 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(c)
- I6S. 5 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(d)
- I7S. 6 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(e)
- I8S. 7 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(f)
- I9S. 8 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(g)
- I10S. 9 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(h)
- I11S. 10 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(i)
- I12S. 37(1)(7)(8) in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(j)
- I13S. 38 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(k)
- I14S. 39 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(l)
- I15S. 42 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(m)
- I16S. 44 in force at 1.2.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(o)
- I17S. 41 in force at 24.2.2022 by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 4(c)
- I18S. 43 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(n)
- I19S. 2 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(a)
- I20S. 3 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(b)
- I21S. 4 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(c)
- I22S. 5 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(d)
- I23S. 6 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(e)
- I24S. 7 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(f)
- I25S. 8 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(g)
- I26S. 9 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(h)
- I27S. 10 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(i)
- I28S. 37(1)(7)(8) in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(j)
- I29S. 38 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(k)
- I30S. 39 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(l)
- I31S. 42 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(m)
- I32S. 44 in force at 24.2.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 3(o)
- I33S. 11 in force at 24.2.2022 by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 4(a)
- I34S. 40 in force at 24.2.2022 by S.I. 2022/93, reg. 4(b)
- I35S. 12 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(a) (with reg. 5)
- I36S. 13 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I37Sch. 1 para. 1 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I38Sch. 1 para. 2 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I39Sch. 1 para. 3 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I40Sch. 1 para. 5 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I41Sch. 1 para. 6 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I42Sch. 1 para. 7 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I43Sch. 1 para. 8 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I44Sch. 1 para. 10 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I45Sch. 1 para. 14 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I46Sch. 1 para. 15 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I47Sch. 1 para. 16 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I48Sch. 1 para. 17 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I49Sch. 1 para. 18 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I50Sch. 1 para. 21 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I51Sch. 1 para. 22 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I52Sch. 1 para. 25 in force at 15.3.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- F1Words in s. 12(5) substituted (28.4.2022) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 33) and Sentencing Act 2020 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/500), regs. 1(2), 5(1), Sch. Pt. 1
- I53S. 34 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(u) (with reg. 5)
- I54S. 12 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(a) (with reg. 5)
- I55S. 1 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 2 (with reg. 5)
- I56S. 13 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I57Sch. 1 para. 1 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I58Sch. 1 para. 2 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I59Sch. 1 para. 3 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I60Sch. 1 para. 5 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I61Sch. 1 para. 6 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I62Sch. 1 para. 7 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I63Sch. 1 para. 8 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I64Sch. 1 para. 10 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I65Sch. 1 para. 14 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I66Sch. 1 para. 15 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I67Sch. 1 para. 16 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I68Sch. 1 para. 17 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I69Sch. 1 para. 18 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I70Sch. 1 para. 21 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I71Sch. 1 para. 22 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I72Sch. 1 para. 25 in force at 6.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
- I73S. 14 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(a) (with reg. 5)
- I74S. 15 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 5)
- I75S. 16 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(c) (with reg. 5)
- I76S. 17 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(d) (with reg. 5)
- I77S. 18 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I78Sch. 2 para. 1 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I79Sch. 2 para. 2 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I80Sch. 2 para. 3 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I81Sch. 2 para. 4 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I82Sch. 2 para. 5 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I83Sch. 2 para. 6 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I84Sch. 2 para. 7 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I85Sch. 2 para. 8 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I86Sch. 2 para. 9 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I87Sch. 2 para. 10 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I88Sch. 2 para. 11 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I89Sch. 2 para. 12 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I90Sch. 2 para. 13 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I91Sch. 2 para. 14 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5)
- I92S. 19 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(f) (with reg. 5)
- I93S. 20 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(g) (with reg. 5)
- I94S. 21 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(h) (with reg. 5)
- I95S. 22 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(i) (with reg. 5)
- I96S. 23 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(j) (with reg. 5)
- I97S. 24 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(k) (with reg. 5)
- I98S. 25 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(l) (with reg. 5)
- I99S. 26 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(m) (with reg. 5)
- I100S. 27 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(n) (with reg. 5)
- I101S. 28 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(o) (with reg. 5)
- I102S. 29 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(p) (with reg. 5)
- I103S. 30 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(q) (with reg. 5)
- I104S. 31 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(r) (with reg. 5)
- I105S. 32 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(s) (with reg. 5)
- I106S. 33 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(t) (with reg. 5)
- I107S. 35 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(v) (with reg. 5)
- I108S. 36 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(w) (with reg. 5)
- I109Sch. 1 para. 4 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(x) (with reg. 5)
- I110Sch. 1 para. 9 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(x) (with reg. 5)
- I111Sch. 1 para. 19 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(x) (with reg. 5)
- I112Sch. 1 para. 20 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(x) (with reg. 5)
- I113Sch. 1 para. 23 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(x) (with reg. 5)
- I114Sch. 1 para. 24 in force at 6.6.2022 by S.I. 2022/288, reg. 4(x) (with reg. 5)
- F2Words in s. 12(5) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1
- F3Words in s. 12(4)(a) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1
- I115S. 37(2)-(6) in force at 21.5.2024 by S.I. 2024/664, reg. 2
- F4Words in s. 37(1) substituted (28.1.2025) by The Ivory Act 2018 (Meaning of “Ivory” and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/9), regs. 1(2), 2(2)(a) (with reg. 2(3))
- F5Words in s. 37(7) substituted (28.1.2025) by The Ivory Act 2018 (Meaning of “Ivory” and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/9), regs. 1(2), 2(2)(b)(i) (with reg. 2(3))
- F6Words in s. 37(7) substituted (28.1.2025) by The Ivory Act 2018 (Meaning of “Ivory” and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/9), regs. 1(2), 2(2)(b)(ii) (with reg. 2(3))