Restrictions on Ivory and Rhino Horn Trade

Summary#

These are the final Regulations Amending the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations: SOR/2023-241. They sharply limit what elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn can cross Canada’s borders: most raw ivory and raw horn can no longer be imported or exported, and all imports/exports of elephant tusk and rhinoceros horn now need permits. The rules come into force 60 days after registration.

What it does#

• Adds definitions for “elephant,” “rhinoceros,” “raw ivory,” and “raw horn.”
• Removes the previous exemption that let some worked ivory or horn move as personal or household effects without a permit.
• Prohibits the import or export of raw elephant tusk (raw ivory) and raw rhinoceros horn (raw horn), except when the items are going to:
  • a museum or zoo;
  • use in scientific research; or
  • use in support of law enforcement.
• Requires a permit for any import or export of elephant tusk or rhinoceros horn (worked or raw), and says permits cannot authorize raw ivory/horn except for the three allowed purposes above.
• Allows certain shipments that were started before the amendments were published to arrive after the rules take effect if the sender can prove the shipment began earlier.

Who's affected#

• People who travel with or move items that contain worked ivory or horn (for example, musical instruments, antiques, family heirlooms). Moving such items now usually means applying for a permit.
• Musicians who travel with instruments that have ivory parts (they may need a multi‑entry Temporary Movement Certificate or single permits).
• Museums, zoos, and scientific institutions (they can still apply for permits for raw items for research or display).
• Importers, exporters, moving companies, auction houses, antique dealers, taxidermists, outfitters and travel agents who handle goods or hunting trips linked to ivory/horn.
• Hunters who might hope to bring back raw ivory or horn trophies from overseas (bringing raw trophies into or out of Canada will generally be prohibited).
• Indigenous groups raised concerns about potential spillover effects on walrus and narwhal ivory; the government says the rules apply only to elephant and rhinoceros products.
• Canada’s known historic trade is small: about 14 elephant tusks and 2 rhinoceros horns imported per year on average between 2015 and 2021.

Why it matters#

• The change is aimed at conservation. Closing most legal import/export routes for raw ivory and horn reduces opportunities to launder illegally obtained material and supports global efforts to curb poaching.
• It makes Canada collect more data and check permits more often at borders, so officials will have a clearer picture of ivory/horn movements.
• There will be extra paperwork and some costs for people who used to move worked ivory or horn as personal/household effects. The government estimates total costs of about $5.8 million over 10 years, mostly for enforcement (about $5.3 million) and permit processing (about $230,000), plus initial outreach of $10,000 to $15,000.
• For most Canadians the impact is likely small, because known trade volumes in these raw items have been low. But for a few groups—musicians, collectors, movers, and some hunters—the new rules mean new permit steps and possible inconvenience.