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  • 1.  Borrowing From Overseas

    Posted 06-15-2016 12:04 PM

    I am considering borrowing one object from a museum in London. They are concerned because the object is made of tortoiseshell and therefore illegal to import under CITES. In the European Union apparently you can apply for a Traveling Exhibitions Certificate which they are willing to do. On my end, I know about the US State Department's Immunity for Judicial Seizure rules and application which I am willing to do. Is there anything else I can or should do? I didn't come up with anything by searching US Customs and Border Protection, but I'm worried that I'm missing something. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated! 

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    Jenny Benjamin
    Director
    Museum of Vision
    San Francisco CA
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  • 2.  RE: Borrowing From Overseas

    Posted 06-16-2016 06:51 AM

    Hello and greetings from the UK!  The museum in London should be able to apply for a CITES licence for the object through the appointed transport agent in the UK who will work with the appointed agent in the US on the required paperwork on US side.  Any reputable and experienced fine art transport agent agent should be able to organise this.  Of course, there is an extra cost to obtain the licence on both sides.  I would also suggest packing the object separately from non-CITES loans as sometimes CITES objects can get caught up leaving and entering the countries.  In my experience, it's the CITES paperwork from US Wildlife and Fisheries (or whatever you call the department) that is more problematic that the licence on the UK side.  Feel free to email me directly dana@cuello-andrew.co.uk if you have any more questions.  I worked on international touring exhibitions in national museums for many years and now I work freelance (hence non-institutional email).

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    Dana Andrew
    Museum & Gallery Consultant
    UK

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Borrowing From Overseas

    Posted 06-16-2016 08:31 AM

    In the U.S., CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) is administered by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  They have information about CITES and CITES permitting process on their website.  It's a good start.  There may other laws that also apply, such as Endangered Species Act, so you may have to poke around a bit.

    Also be sure to consult your customs broker early in the process.  They should have practical advice about how the process works and what permits and paperwork they will need from you in order to import and export this object safely and legally.

    Pat

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    Patricia Nutter
    Associate Registrar
    National Museum of Natural History - Smithsonian Institution
    Washington DC

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Borrowing From Overseas

    Posted 06-16-2016 10:04 AM

    I recommend checking with US Fish & Wildlife Service. I quickly searched and found an Endangered Species Foreign Species FAQ. Your regional office (which you can link to from the FAQ page) should be able to provide additional guidance.

    https://www.fws.gov/endangered/what-we-do/foreign-species-faq.html

     

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    Lisa Friedlander
    Project Specialist
    Minnesota Historical Society
    Saint Paul MN

    Original Message