16 USC § 4223 - Prohibited acts

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t16/s4223"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "16 USC § 4223 - Prohibited acts"
title_number: 16
title_name: "CONSERVATION"
section_number: "4223"
section_name: "Prohibited acts"
chapter_number: 62
chapter_name: "AFRICAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION"
subchapter_number: "II"
subchapter_name: "MORATORIA AND PROHIBITED ACTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 100–478, title II, § 2203, Oct. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 2320.)"
---


# § 4223. Prohibited acts

Except as provided in section 4222(e) of this title, it is unlawful for any person—

**(1)** to import raw ivory from any country other than an ivory producing country;

**(2)** to export raw ivory from the United States;

**(3)** to import raw or worked ivory that was exported from an ivory producing country in violation of that country’s laws or of the CITES Ivory Control System;

**(4)** to import worked ivory, other than personal effects, from any country unless that country has certified that such ivory was derived from legal sources; or

**(5)** to import raw or worked ivory from a country for which a moratorium is in effect under section 4222 of this title.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 100–478, title II, § 2203, Oct. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 2320.)