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.
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) |
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) | Designated List (2022) |
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) | Designated List (2019) |
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) | Import Restrictions Rule (2023) |
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
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) |
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) |
Designated List (2023) |
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) | Designated List (1997) |
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) |
Designated List (2019) |
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) | Designated List (2020) |
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) | Import Restrictions Rule (2021) |
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) | Designated List (2021) |
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
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) | Designated List (2020) |
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
Designated List (2021) |
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 |
Import Restriction Rule (2020) |
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 |
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 |
Import Restrictions Rule (2017) |
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) | Import Restrictions Rule (2019) |
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) | Designated List (2008) |
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 |
Import Restrictions Rule (2021) |
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) | Designated List (2020) |
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) |
Designated List (2023) |
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
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) | Designated List (2021) |
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) | Designated List (2015) |
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) | Designated List (2022) |
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) |
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
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) | Designated List (2016) |
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) |
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) | Designated List (2021) |
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) |
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.