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The export of certain Inuit sculpture from Canada to other components of the world such as the United States does have some restrictions. In order to reduce 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 unique 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 components of such animals as raw supplies in the creating 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. Therefore, American citizens would not be permitted to acquire any artwork containing ivory or whalebone from Canada and have it brought or shipped back to the United States. Nevertheless, the act as it stands enables American citizens to obtain similar artwork from Alaska since it is portion of the United States. The export of such artwork developed from marine mammals from the United States to Canada is not allowed.

Inuit sculpture containing whalebone, walrus or narwal tusks (each regarded as ivory) are restricted from import and export. Nonetheless, Inuit sculpture containing caribou antler is permitted since caribou is not a marine mammal and for that reason does not fall under this act.

Exporting Inuit sculpture containing whalebone or ivory from Canada to other international destinations will depend on each precise country as every has its own particular regulations. Fines or penalties for importing or exporting illegal items can be really serious.

Luckily, 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 really duty cost-free. importing exporting business learn about import export books import export industry information