Posted on Jan 08, 2009 under xn--zqqs84h3is.com | edit
Is it legal to sell a Polar Bear rug on ebay? What are the requirements?
It was Purchased from the Inuits in 1968.
When hunting polar bears was still legal.
Margaret Perry.
very thorough answer - I am very pleased with the response. All too
much of a problem I think we will just keep him.
Hi Margaret,
The short answer to your question is NO. EBay will not permit you to
list your rug for sale on its site.
However, depending on where you live, you may be able to sell it
privately (not through EBay) with the proper permits. Below are the
EBay regulations followed by the contact information for US and
international regulatory bodies that oversee the sale of polar bear
products.
===============================================
EBAY RULES – PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED ITEMS
===============================================
Quoted from the Ebay website –
Animals and Wildlife Products
The following list contains general guidelines for listing animals and
animal parts on eBay. Users with questions about migratory birds,
endangered species or other questionable items in this area should
contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Office or
your state wildlife regulatory agency, or refer to extensive
information on this topic available at the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES).
Animal Pelts and Skins
Animal parts, including pelts and skins from endangered species (such
as leopards, tigers, cheetahs, jaguars, sable antelopes, mountain
zebras, and Hartmann mountain zebras) may not be sold in interstate
commerce and therefore cannot be listed on eBay. Animal pelts and
skins from non-endangered species (for example, non-protected species
of zebras, coyotes) may generally be listed on eBay, if not in
violation of the seller's specific state laws.
Bear Products
Bears and bear products (for example, bear teeth, claws, and rugs) may
not be listed on eBay.
Marine Mammals
Marine mammal products, including but not limited to polar bear, sea
otter, whales (baleen and ivory), porpoise, dolphins, and seals,
generally may not be listed for sale unless the animal part has been
first transformed into an authentic Alaskan Native article of
handicraft or clothing. The export/import of marine mammals typically
requires CITES as well as other state and/or federal permits. Users
should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or National
Marine Fisheries Service before importing or exporting marine mammal
products.
EBAY – POLICIES - WILDLIFE
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/wildlife.html
===============================
WILDLIFE REGULATIONS
===============================
Before a plant or animal species can receive protection under the
Endangered Species Act, it must first be placed on the Federal list of
endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. The Polar Bear is not
listed as a threatened or endangered species either in the US or
internationally.
Species Information
Threatened and Endangered Animals and Plants
http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html#Species
====================
However, if you plan to sell the rug privately (not through Ebay) you
should check with the following authorities depending on where you are
located and where you intend to sell it. Laws for selling within a
country may be different from import and export laws.
In the US, contact:
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Division of Management Authority
4401 N. Fairfax Drive
Room 700
ARLINGTON, VA 22203
Tel: Chief and Operations Branch:
+1 (703) 358 20 93; 358 20 95
Branch of Permits:
+1 (800) toll-free within the United States; otherwise +1 (703) 358 21
04
Fax: Office of Chief, DMA: +1 (703) 358 22 80
Branch of CITES Operations: +1 (703) 358 22 98
Branch of Permits: +1 (703) 358 22 81
Email: managementauthority@fws.gov (general/g n ral)
Web: http://international.fws.gov
================
For international sale, you may need to acquire a CITES permit to sell
the rug. In the US, the above Fish and Wildlife Office handle CITES
permits as well. If you live in a different country, you can find your
CITES office here [choose your country]:
CITES - DIRECTORY
http://www.cites.org/common/directy/e_directy.html
From the CITES FAQs –
How can I know whether I need a permit to import or export wildlife
specimens?
"Import, export and re-export of any live animal or plant of a species
listed in the CITES Appendices (or of any part or derivative of such
animal or plant) requires a permit or certificate. To find out whether
a species is listed in the Appendices, you can check in the
CITES-listed species database of this website, using either the
scientific name or the common name of the species. Alternatively, you
can also check with the national agency (known as the "Management
Authority") of your country whether the species you are interested in
needs a permit. They may be able to identify the species for you if
you are not sure what it is."
I checked the database and Polar Bears are listed.
===================
So, sorry I couldn't give you better news regarding Ebay. Good luck
selling the rug. I see that one in good condition fetches a nice sum
of money.
-K~
#If you have any other info about this subject , Please add it free.#
