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SITCSection 2
U.S. imports of ivory, tortoise shell, claws & similar animal materials, unworked or simply prepared (SITC 29116) totaled $554K in April 2026, traded with 14 countries.
Importers of Ivory, Tortoise Shell, Claws & Similar Animal Materials, Unworked or Simply Prepared paid $23K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 10% on $227K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Ivory, Tortoise Shell, Claws & Similar Animal Materials, Unworked or Simply Prepared imports of $554K in April 2026 ran 42% above the year-to-date monthly average of $390K.
Last updated: April 2026 dataCITES regulates trade in elephant ivory, hawksbill tortoise shell, and many other materials in this heading, making import permits and species documentation mandatory before US Customs clearance. Whalebone, antlers, hooves, nails, claws, and their powders and wastes are also classified here when unworked or only simply prepared. Importers must distinguish between pre-Convention antique ivory and recently harvested material, as the evidentiary burden differs significantly. USDA APHIS and the US Fish & Wildlife Service both play roles in admissibility review for CITES-listed species.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Elephant ivory is subject to CITES Appendix I controls, requiring both an export permit from the country of origin and a US Fish & Wildlife Service import permit. Antique ivory (over 100 years old) may qualify for a CITES exemption but requires documented provenance. Classification and admissibility are complex; consult a licensed customs broker and the US Fish & Wildlife Service before shipment.
Materials that have been cleaned, bleached, dried, or cut to basic shapes without further shaping or finishing are generally considered 'simply prepared' and remain classifiable here. Once the material is carved, polished to a finished form, or incorporated into a product, it typically advances to a worked-material or finished-goods heading. The precise boundary depends on the degree of processing and the intended use.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | $327K | $198K | -$129K |
| CHINA | -- | $243K | +$243K |
| CZECH REPUBLIC | $150K | -- | -$150K |
| BRAZIL | $47K | -- | -$47K |
| NIGERIA | $20K | -- | -$20K |
Monthly import values over time