New Guidance Issued Regarding New York State Ivory Sales Ban

December 8, 2014

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a guidance document (www.dec.ny.gov/permits/99792.html) which sets forth the agency's implementation plans for a recently-enacted law banning the sale of most products containing elephant and mammoth ivory.  Although the law contains an exemption for musical instruments made prior to 1975, the DEC guidance continues the requirement that any dealer wishing to sell an ivory-containing instrument, either within New York or outside of the state, must obtain a permit from the agency.

In order to obtain the permit, which is free and must be renewed annually, sellers must submit a detailed inventory of the items they wish to sell, accompanying each listed item with a photograph and historical documentation establishing the age of the instrument and the percentage of its ivory content.

The DEC guidance document also includes a link to frequently-asked questions which further explain the requirements.