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25 USC § 3072 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t25/s3072"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "25 USC § 3072 - Definitions"
title_number: 25
title_name: "INDIANS"
section_number: "3072"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 32
chapter_name: "SAFEGUARD TRIBAL OBJECTS OF PATRIMONY"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2025-07-14"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 117–258, § 3, Dec. 21, 2022, 136 Stat. 2373.)"
---

# § 3072. Definitions

In this chapter:

**(1)** **Archaeological resource** section 470bb of title 16

The term “archaeological resource” means an archaeological resource (as defined in ) that is Native American.

**(2)** **Cultural affiliation** The term “cultural affiliation” means that there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced historically or prehistorically between a present day Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization and an identifiable earlier group.

**(3)** **Cultural item** 25 U.S.C. 3001

The term “cultural item” means any 1 or more cultural items (as defined in section 2 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ()).

**(4)** **Indian Tribe** 25 U.S.C. 3001

The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given the term “Indian tribe” in section 2 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ().

**(5)** **Item Prohibited from Exportation** The term “Item Prohibited from Exportation” means—

**(A)** a cultural item prohibited from being trafficked, including through sale, purchase, use for profit, or transport for sale or profit, by—

**(i)** section 1170(b) of title 18, as added by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.); or

**(ii)** any other Federal law or treaty; and

**(B)** an archaeological resource prohibited from being trafficked, including through sale, purchase, exchange, transport, receipt, or offer to sell, purchase, or exchange, including in interstate or foreign commerce, by—

**(i)** subsections (b) and (c) of section 470ee of title 16; or

**(ii)** any other Federal law or treaty.

**(6)** **Item Requiring Export Certification**

**(A)** **In general** The term “Item Requiring Export Certification” means—

**(i)** a cultural item; and

**(ii)** an archaeological resource.

**(B)** **Exclusion** The term “Item Requiring Export Certification” does not include an item described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) for which an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with a cultural affiliation with the item has provided a certificate authorizing exportation of the item.

**(7)** **Native American** The term “Native American” means—

**(A)** Native American (as defined in section 2 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001)); and

**(B)** Native Hawaiian (as so defined).

**(8)** **Native Hawaiian organization** 25 U.S.C. 3001

The term “Native Hawaiian organization” has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ().

**(9)** **Secretary** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

**(10)** **Tangible cultural heritage** The term “tangible cultural heritage” means—

**(A)** Native American human remains; or

**(B)** culturally, historically, or archaeologically significant objects, resources, patrimony, or other items that are affiliated with a Native American culture.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 117–258, § 3, Dec. 21, 2022, 136 Stat. 2373.)

## Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , , known as the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under  and Tables.

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, referred to in par. (5)(A)(i), is , , , which is classified principally to chapter 32 (§ 3001 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under  and Tables.