§2611 Certain Material and Articles Exempt From This Chapter

Summary

The rules in this chapter do not apply to archaeological or cultural objects brought into the United States for a temporary public display if they are protected from seizure under another federal law. The rules also do not apply to certain designated archaeological or cultural items already in the United States if they meet time-and-notice conditions. An item is exempt if a recognized museum or similar institution owned it for at least three straight years, bought it in good faith for value without knowing it was imported illegally, and either the purchase was publicly reported (including in a newspaper or periodical with at least 50,000 circulation or a relevant catalog), it was shown to the public for at least one year during those three years, or it was cataloged with the catalog available to the public for at least two years. If that does not apply, an item is exempt if it was in the U.S. at least ten straight years and was on public display for at least five of those years in a recognized institution. If those do not apply, an item is exempt if it was in the U.S. at least ten straight years and the country of origin received or should have received fair notice of its location as the Secretary’s rules require. If none of the above apply, an item is exempt only if it has been in the U.S. at least twenty straight years and the owner shows they bought it for value without knowing it was imported in violation of law.