Section 2 — Pre-1918 items of outstanding artistic etc value and importance
This version in force from 2022-02-24
Snapshot: 2026-08-24
Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .
(1) An item that is made of ivory, or has ivory in it, is exempt from the prohibition if—
(a) the Secretary of State has issued a certificate under this section (an “exemption certificate”), and
(b) the certificate has not been revoked under section 4(3).
(2) The Secretary of State may issue an exemption certificate for an item only if satisfied that—
(a) the item is pre-1918, and
(b) the item is of outstandingly high artistic, cultural or historical value.
(3) The following matters are to be taken into account in considering whether the condition in paragraph (b) of subsection (2) is satisfied in the case of a particular item—
(a) the rarity of the item;
(b) the extent to which the item is an important example of its type;
(c) any other matters specified in regulations made by the appropriate national authority.
(4) An exemption certificate for an item may be issued only on the application of the owner of the item.
(5) The appropriate national authority may by regulations prescribe institutions that, in the authority's opinion, possess the necessary knowledge and expertise to provide the Secretary of State with advice on applications for exemption certificates.
(6) An institution may be prescribed under subsection (5) only with the consent of the persons in charge of the institution.