Demystifying Rules Around Ivory in the UK

The Introduction of the Ivory Act 2018

The landscape of antique collecting in the United Kingdom changed fundamentally with the implementation of the Ivory Act 2018, and the subsequent 2025 extension. For those holding inherited pieces or long-standing collections, the legal requirements for selling ivory are now incredibly stringent.

At Heritage Gold and Collectables, we specialise in helping clients navigate these complexities, ensuring that the trade of historical items remains strictly within the boundaries of current UK legislation.

The UK Ivory Ban: What is Prohibited?

As of 2026, the law in the UK is a near-total ban. It is illegal to sell, or even offer for sale, any item made of or containing ivory, unless it meets very specific criteria and is officially registered or certified.

Critically, the law no longer applies only to elephant ivory. The "ivory" definition now includes ivory from hippopotamuses, narwhals, killer whales, and sperm whales.

Permitted Actions: What You Can Still Do with Ivory

Although restrictions are tight, there are still actions permitted under the law.

Own: You are legally allowed to keep ivory in your private collection.

Gift: You may give items away or leave them to beneficiaries in a will.

Trade: You can only sell an item if it qualifies for one of five narrow exemptions (such as pre-1947 items with less than 10% ivory). These exemptions require registration, and for some categories, a comprehensive application process, ensuring that the trade does not contribute to modern poaching.

The Challenge of Proving Pre-1947 Status

For the majority of antiques, the "De Minimis" exemption is the most relevant. However, the burden of proof lies entirely with the owner. Proving an item's age is the most challenging aspect of the process for several reasons:

Craftsmanship: High-quality carving techniques used in the 19th century were often replicated well into the mid-20th century, making visual dating a task for specialists.

The Documentation Gap: Most domestic ivory—such as jewellery or beads—rarely comes with a contemporary bill of sale that meets the government's evidentiary standards.

Objective Evidence: To register an item for sale, you must provide detailed evidence. Without professional guidance, many owners struggle to provide the necessary proof of provenance.

Our Commitment to Heritage

Because selling ivory is so restricted, many owners choose to donate items to ensure they are preserved for historical interest rather than lost to time.

As a company, Heritage Gold and Collectables is committed to the ethical handling of these materials. We recently gifted a set of antique ivory beads to Gem-A (The Gemmological Association of Great Britain) to assist in their historical archives. Below, you can see a photograph of these beads along with the feature in the Gems&Jewellery magazine acknowledging the gift from our company.

How Heritage Gold and Collectables Can Assist

Navigating the government’s digital ivory service can be daunting. Before attempting to list an item for sale, it is vital to have a professional assessment to ensure you are not inadvertently breaching the Act.

At Heritage Gold and Collectables, we provide expert valuation services. We examine the patination, "Schreger lines" (the unique cross-hatch patterns found in ivory), and manufacturing marks to help determine the likely age and composition of your pieces.

Warning: Dealing in unregistered ivory is a criminal offence in the UK, carrying risks of unlimited fines or custodial sentences.

If you are looking to value or sell antiques and need to ensure your collection is compliant with UK law, visit us at www.heritagegandc.co.uk.

We are dedicated to the ethical and legal preservation of heritage.