Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

Buying local crafts is a great way for travellers to support the local economy. However there is one big catch here, items that are legal for sale in some foreign countries may not be illegal in the USA, UK or Australia. This is often because they're made from endangered animals or plants.

Is it or is it not?? The extinct Dodo Bird maybe

Don't buy ivory carvings, Shahtoosh shawls (which are made from the endangered Tibetan antelope), butterflies, coral, reptile skins, or traditional medicines or aphrodisiacs that contain animal products.

China: The export of cultural property without proper documentation and permits is prohibited.

Indonesia: Don't buy products made from green or hawksbill turtles.

Thailand: Don't buy looted Tibetan artefacts and Cambodian Khmer tomb sculptures commonly sold in Bangkok.

The wild elephant

Egypt: Don't buy ivory, items made with cat or reptile skins, or endangered spur-thighed tortoises, which are often made into musical instruments and fire bellows.

Kenya: Avoid crocodile and lizard skins, feathers of birds of prey, and ivory.

Mali: Avoid all cultural objects - preservationists worry that the Nok culture is being sold off, piece by piece.

South Africa: Don't buy ivory or the skins of elephant, crocodile, snake, lion, jackal, leopard, zebra, or ostrich. Don't buy ostrich eggs, mako shark or hippo teeth, porcupine quills, coral, or rare shells.

Greece: Avoid tortoiseshell, ivory, and cat fur.

Italy: Antiquities and pre-1950s cultural works can't be taken out of the country. Only buy pork products that are stamped and sealed for export to the U.S.

The Netherlands: Flower bulbs must have a U.S. phytosanitary certificate.

Canada: You can't bring ivory, carved walrus tusks, or whalebone into the U.S.

Caribbean: Don't buy turtle oil or tortoise shell. Avoid reef flora and fauna and anything made with bird feathers.

Mexico: Avoid turtle and tortoise products and anything pre-Columbian.

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