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The export of certain Inuit sculpture from Canada to other parts of the world which includes the United States does have some restrictions. In order to lessen harvesting of marine animals such as whales and walruses, the United States Congress passed the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972. It was later modified in 1981 and a special section (101) of the act was created to exclude Eskimo Inuit and other aboriginals living in the state of Alaska. Section 101 permitted Alaskan Natives to continue their traditions of hunting marine mammals for food and employing parts of such animals as raw materials in the making of clothing, crafts and artwork.

The act tends to make it illegal for American citizens to import any ivory or whalebone from outside the United States. As a result, American citizens would not be allowed to buy any artwork containing ivory or whalebone from Canada and have it brought or shipped back to the United States. Nonetheless, the act as it stands enables American citizens to buy comparable artwork from Alaska because it is component of the United States. The export of such artwork developed from marine mammals from the United States to Canada is not permitted.

Inuit sculpture containing whalebone, walrus or narwal tusks (both deemed ivory) are restricted from import and export. Nonetheless, Inuit sculpture containing caribou antler is permitted given that caribou is not a marine mammal and consequently does not fall under this act.

Exporting Inuit sculpture containing whalebone or ivory from Canada to other international destinations will rely on every single certain nation as each has its own specific regulations. Fines or penalties for importing or exporting illegal things can be extremely serious.

Thankfully, other forms of Inuit art such as stone or antler carvings and prints are not only able to be exported across the border, but are truly duty free. import and export business look into import export business plan import business from china review