The Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (CPIA), 19 U.S.C. §§ 2601-2613, implements U.S. obligations under the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (“the UNESCO 1970 Convention”), either through emergency actions or bilateral cultural property agreements (typically framed as Memoranda of Understanding). Emergency actions and bilateral cultural property agreements establish import restrictions on types of objects of archaeological and/or ethnological significance that have been determined to be under threat of looting or pillage and put on a designated list.

Import Restrictions
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Afghanistan

On February 18, 2022, the United States imposed import restrictions on an emergency basis on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Afghanistan.

Status: In Force

Current Emergency Restrictions and Designated List (2022)
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Albania

On February 28, 2022, the United States and Albania entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on archaeological and ethnological material originating in Albania.

Current Agreement (2022)
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Algeria

On August 15, 2019, the United States and Algeria entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Algeria.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2019)
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Belize

On February 27, 2013, the United States and Belize entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Belize. The agreement was extended in 2018 and 2023.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2023)
Previous Agreement (2018)
Designated List (2013)
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Bolivia

From March 14, 1989, until May 20, 1996, import restrictions on certain categories of ethnological material were in effect, having been implemented on an emergency basis. On December 4, 2001, the United States and Bolivia entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Bolivia. The agreement was extended in 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2021)
Previous Agreement (2016)
Previous Agreements (2001, 2006, 2011)
Previous Emergency Restrictions (1993)
Previous Emergency Restrictions (1989)

Designated List (2001)
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Bulgaria

On January 14, 2014, the United States and Bulgaria entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Bulgaria. The agreement was changed and extended in 2019 and 2024.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2024)

Previous Agreement (2019)
Previous Agreement (2014)

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Cambodia

On December 2, 1999, the United States imposed import restrictions on an emergency basis on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Cambodia. On September 19, 2003, the United States and Cambodia entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Cambodia.  The agreement was changed and extended in 2008, extended in 2013, and changed and extended in 2018.  The agreement was changed and extended in 2023 to include categories of ethnological material originating in Cambodia.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2023)

Previous Agreement (2018)
Previous Agreements (2013)
Previous Agreements (2003, 2008)
Previous Emergency Restrictions (1999)

Designated List (2023)
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Canada (Expired)

On April 10, 1997, the United States and Canada entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Canada. This MOU expired on April 9, 2002, and is no longer in effect.

Status: Expired

Expired Agreement (1997)
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China

On January 14, 2009, the United States and China entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in China. The agreement was extended in 2014, changed and extended in 2019, and extended in 2024.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2024)

Previous Agreement (2019)
Previous Agreement (2014)
Previous Agreement (2009)

Import Restrictions Rule (2024)

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Chile

On September 30, 2020, the United States and Chile entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Chile.

Current Agreement (2020)
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Colombia

On March 15, 2006, the United States and Colombia entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Colombia. The agreement was extended in 2011, 2016, and 2021.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2021)
Previous Agreement (2016)
Previous Agreement (2006, 2011)
Designated List (2006)
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Costa Rica

On January 15, 2021, the United States and Costa Rica entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Costa Rica.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2021)
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Cyprus

On April 12, 1999, the United States imposed import restrictions on an emergency basis on certain categories of ethnological material originating in Cyprus. These import restrictions were extended in 2003. On July 16, 2002, the United States and Cyprus entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Cyprus. The bilateral agreement was changed and extended in 2006 to include the imposition of import restrictions on categories of both archaeological and ethnological material. The agreement was extended in 2007, changed and extended in 2012, and extended in 2017. The agreement was changed and extended in 2022 to include the imposition of import restrictions on additional categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Cyprus. 

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2022) 
Previous Agreement (2017)
Previous Agreement (2012)
Previous Agreements (2002, 2006, 2007)
Previous Emergency Restrictions (2003)
Previous Emergency Restrictions (1999

Designated List (2022)
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Ecuador

On February 11, 2020, the United States and Ecuador entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Ecuador.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2020)
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Egypt

On November 30, 2016, the United States and Egypt entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Egypt. The agreement was changed and extended in 2021 to include the imposition of import restrictions on categories of ethnological material and additional categories of archaeological material.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2021)
Previous Agreement (2016)

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El Salvador

On March 8, 1995, the United States and El Salvador entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in El Salvador. The agreement was extended in 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015. The agreement was changed and extended in 2020 to include the imposition of import restrictions on additional categories of ethnological material originating in El Salvador.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2020)
Previous Agreement (2015)
Previous Agreements (2000, 2005, 2010)
Previous Agreement (1995)
Designated List (2020)
Photo Guide
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Greece

On November 21, 2011, the United States and Greece entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Greece. The agreement was extended in 2016. The agreement was changed and extended in 2021 to include the imposition of import restrictions on additional categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Greece.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2021)
Previous Agreement (2016)
Previous Agreement (2011)
Designated List (2021)
Photo Guide
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Guatemala

On September 29, 1997, the United States and Guatemala entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Guatemala. The agreement was extended in 2002 and 2007. The agreement was changed and extended in 2012 to include the imposition of import restrictions on ethnological material originating in Guatemala. The agreement was extended in 2017 and 2022.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2022)
Previous Agreement (2017)
Previous Agreement (2012)
Previous Agreements (1997, 2002, 2007)
Designated List (2012)
Photo Guide
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Honduras

On March 12, 2004, the United States and Honduras entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Honduras. The agreement was extended in 2009. The agreement was changed and extended in 2014 to include the imposition of import restrictions on ethnological material originating in Honduras. The agreement was extended in 2019.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2019)
Previous Agreement (2014)
Previous Agreements (2004, 2009)
Designated List (2014)
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Iraq

On April 30, 2008, pursuant to the Emergency Protection for Iraqi Cultural Antiquities Act, the United States imposed import restrictions on an emergency basis on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Iraq.

Status: In Force

Emergency Protection for Iraqi Cultural Antiquities Act (2004)
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Italy

On January 19, 2001, the United States and Italy entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Italy. The agreement was amended and extended in 2006, changed and extended in 2011, and extended in 2016 and 2021.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2021)
Previous Agreement (2016)
Previous Agreement (2011)
Previous Agreements (2001, 2006)
Designated List (2011)
Photo Guide
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Jordan

On February 1, 2020, the United States and Jordan entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Jordan.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2020)
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Libya

On December 5, 2017, the United States imposed import restrictions on an emergency basis on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Libya. On February 23, 2018, the United States and Libya entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Libya. The agreement was extended in 2023.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2023)
Previous Emergency Restrictions (2017)
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Mali

On September 23, 1993, the United States imposed import restrictions on an emergency basis on certain categories of archaeological materials originating in Mali. On September 19, 1997, the United States and Mali entered into a bilateral agreement to impose import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Mali. The agreement was extended in 2002, changed and extended in 2007, and extended in 2012. The agreement was changed and extended in 2017 to include the imposition of import restrictions on ethnological material originating in Mali. The agreement was changed and extended in 2022 to include the imposition of import restrictions on additional categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Mali.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2022)
Previous Agreement (2017)
Previous Agreement (2012)
Previous Agreements (1997, 2002, 2007)
Previous Emergency Restrictions (1993)
Designated List (2017)
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Morocco

On January 14, 2021, the United States and Morocco entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Morocco.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2021)
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Nicaragua (Expired)

On October 20, 2000, the United States and Nicaragua entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Nicaragua. This MOU expired in October 20, 2020, and is no longer in effect.

Status: In Force

Expired Agreements (2000, 2005, 2010, 2015)
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Nigeria

On January 20, 2022, the United States and Nigeria entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on archaeological and ethnological material originating in Nigeria.

Current Agreement (2022)
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Pakistan

On January 30, 2024, the United States and Pakistan entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Pakistan.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2024) Designated Agreement (2024)
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Peru

On May 7, 1990, the United States import restrictions on an emergency basis on certain categories of archaeological materials originating in Peru. These import restrictions were extended in 1994. On June 9, 1997, the United States and Peru entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Peru. The agreement was extended in 2002, 2007, and 2012. The agreement was changed and extended in 2017 to include the imposition of import restrictions on additional categories of ethnological material originating in Peru. The agreement was extended in 2022.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2022)
Previous Agreement (2017)
Previous Agreements (1997, 2002, 2007, 2012)
Previous Emergency Restrictions (1994)
Previous Emergency Restrictions (1990)
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Syria

On August 15, 2016, pursuant to the Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act, the United States imposed import restrictions on an emergency basis on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Syria.

Status: In Force

Protect and Preserve International Cultual Property Act (2016)
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Tunisia

On February 6, 2024, the United States and Tunisia entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Tunisia.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2024) Designated Agreement (2024)
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Turkey

On March 24, 2021, the United States and Turkey entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Turkey.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2021)
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Uzbekistan

On November 7, 2023, the United States and Uzbekistan entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Uzbekistan.

Status: In Force

Current Agreement (2024) Designated Agreement (2024)
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Yemen

On February 5, 2020, the United States imposed import restrictions on an emergency basis on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material originating in Yemen.

Status: In Force

Current Emergency Restrictions and Designated List (2020)

Archaeological Material: Objects of cultural significance over 250 years old, normally discovered on land or under water through scientific excavations, accidental digging, or clandestine finding (e.g., antiquities, historical objects).

Ethnological Material: Objects produced by tribal or non-industrial societies and important to the cultural heritage of a community because of their distinctive characteristics, comparative rarity, or contributions to the knowledge of the origins, development, or history of that people (e.g., ritual objects, historic manuscripts).

Designated List:
A descriptive list of archaeological and/or ethnological materials subject to U.S. import restrictions.