Buyer Beware about importing certain items into certain countries
 

There's an interesting and useful article in the October 2007 Conde Nast Traveler magazine under the title "More than you bargained for," with a sidebar "Buyer Beware," about all the things that are prohibited to take across various borders, including many things tourists might want to buy as souvenirs. The article is also available on their website.

I was surprised by how complicated the rules are and by how easy it is to get in trouble. For example:

• Many items available at souvenir stalls are illegal to take into the US, despite sellers' assurances to the contrary.
• The rules governing ivory or coral are complicated and keep changing.
• You can get in trouble returning to the US wearing that same old favorite coral necklace or ivory bracelet that you wore when leaving it.
• Many items perfectly legal in some countries are highly illegal in others.
• You have to keep in mind if you buy something that in order to avoid trouble, it must be legal to import not only into the US (or other home country) but into every country you travel through on the way back home.
• In some countries something can be considered a protected antiquity if it is as recently made as fifty years ago.
• Customs agents will greet claims that "I had no idea that was prohibited" with stony indifference.

I know, as if we didn't have enough to worry about. Still, I think it's a good idea for travelers to be familiar with this.