---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 4223"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "4223"
heading: "Prohibited acts"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/4223"
units:
  - "Chapter 62 — African Elephant Conservation"
  - "Subchapter II — Moratoria and Prohibited Acts"
---

# §4223. Prohibited acts


Except as provided in [section 4222(e) of this title](/usc/16/4222.md?p=e), it is unlawful for any [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b)—

- (1) to [import](/usc/16/4244.md?p=5) [raw ivory](/usc/16/4244.md?p=10) from any country other than an [ivory producing country](/usc/16/4244.md?p=7);
- (2) to export [raw ivory](/usc/16/4244.md?p=10) from the [United States](/usc/16/4244.md?p=12);
- (3) to [import](/usc/16/4244.md?p=5) raw or [worked ivory](/usc/16/4244.md?p=13) that was exported from an [ivory producing country](/usc/16/4244.md?p=7) in [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11) of that country’s laws or of the [CITES Ivory Control System](/usc/16/4244.md?p=3);
- (4) to [import](/usc/16/4244.md?p=5) [worked ivory](/usc/16/4244.md?p=13), other than [personal effects](/usc/16/4244.md?p=9), from any country unless that country has certified that such ivory was derived from legal sources; or
- (5) to [import](/usc/16/4244.md?p=5) raw or [worked ivory](/usc/16/4244.md?p=13) from a country for which a moratorium is in effect under [section 4222 of this title](/usc/16/4222.md).

## Source credit

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