Tortoiseshell, Whalebone, Horns, Hooves, Claws, Velvet Antler, and Related Waste

Tortoiseshell from sea turtles is prohibited under the US Endangered Species Act and CITES Appendix I, making commercial import essentially unlawful regardless of origin. Whalebone (baleen) is restricted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Importers should obtain a species identification from a qualified expert and consult the US Fish and Wildlife Service before attempting to import any material that could be derived from a protected species.

Velvet antler must be unworked or simply prepared and not cut to shape to qualify for 0507900010. Suppliers should provide documentation specifying the deer species, the harvest method (pre-calcification), and the processing state. If the antler has been cut, shaped, or further processed, it may fall outside this line and require reclassification. A licensed customs broker familiar with animal-derived products can help confirm the appropriate entry.