CPIA Import Restrictions on Peruvian Artifacts Renewed

Gold figurine from Peru.
Source: U.S. State Department

The Federal Register today published a notice by the Department of Homeland Security extending import restrictions on archaeological and ethnological materials from Peru.

Earlier this year, the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) met to consider Peru's request to renew import controls on at-risk cultural property under the federal Cultural Property Implementation Act (CPIA), which gives force in the United States to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Scholars with first-hand knowledge of archaeological site looting in Peru submitted information to CPAC.

The U.S. Department of State's Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs "has determined that conditions continue to warrant the imposition of import restrictions," reported the Federal Register. "Accordingly, the restrictions will remain in effect for an additional five years, and the CBP [Customs and Border Protection] regulations are being amended to indicate this third extension."  The regulations go in to effect June 9, 2012.

The importation of restricted Peruvian cultural objects into the U.S. without authorization could result in their seizure and forfeiture as well as possible criminal prosecution. The types of materials that remain subject to American import protections can be found on the State Department's image database.

CONTACT: www.culturalheritagelawyer.com