Do you accept elephant ivory. rhinocerous horn or wildlife specimen items?
Abbeys will not offer specimens or products from endangered, protected or CITES-listed species unless the specieis has been adequately identified and sufficient evidence establishes lawful provenance and compliance with the requirements applicable to the proposed sale.
Policy on the sale of Elephant Ivory, Rhinoceros Horn & other wildlife specimens
Abbeys Auctions supports the protection of endangered species and recognises the role auction houses and antique dealers play in preventing illegal wildlife trade.
Our policy reflects our commitment to responsible auction practices and the expectations of our clients and community. It covers elephant ivory, rhinoceros horn and other wildlife specimens, including taxidermy, animal parts and items made from protected species.
We appreciate that a concerted effort amongst Auction Houses and reputable Antique dealers is required to significantly disrupt the illegal importation and trade in Ivory and Rhinoceros horn products & other wildlife specimens.
Our intent is to support the disruption of this trade by refusing to provide an outlet for the sale of these products. We also firmly believe that this position is in keeping with the expectations of our clients and community stakeholders.
Since 1st June 2018, Abbeys Auctions has not sold unworked elephant ivory or rhinoceros horns, or any items made substantially from worked elephant ivory or rhinoceros horn.
This policy has now been updated to cover other wildlife specimens and protected species as per the National Environmental Protection Agency, established on 1 July 2026. Further information can be found at their website: https://www.nationalepa.gov.au/
Taxidermy, preserved specimens, skins, fur, feathers, shells, bones, teeth, claws and other animal-derived materials may be subject to wildlife protection and trade controls.
Abbeys will not offer specimens or products from endangered, protected or CITES-listed species unless the species has been adequately identified and sufficient evidence establishes lawful provenance and compliance with the requirements applicable to the proposed sale.
Abbeys reserves the right to decline any wildlife item on ethical or conservation grounds, even where its sale may be legally permitted.
DeMinimus principle for ivory
The directors of Abbeys Auctions carefully considered the practicalities of this policy and appreciate that in some situations, very small amounts of ivory are present in older or antique items. In these instances, our policy is to adopt the “DeMinimus” principle when determining whether to sell such items at auction.
The “De Minimus” principle allows for discretion in situations considered to be a minor or incidental use of ivory, not a primary use. Our view is that a product with very small amounts of ivory present as a decorative feature AND clear provenance that dates it’s manufacture as prior to 1972, may be offered at auction when we are confident that the ivory is not the primary reason for the value or desirability of the item. An example of this is an antique piano with ivory keys. The ivory in this situation is not the primary reason why a person would wish to purchase an antique piano and as such is considered to be an incidental use.
More information
Vendors may be directed to the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the National EPA or the relevant state or territory wildlife authority for guidance. Further information can be found at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/wildlife-trade/cites/ivory-rhino-elephant-products
For general wildlife trade enquiries, use wildlifetrade@dcceew.gov.au.
For advice about an existing elephant or rhinoceros item, including what to do with it, use wildlifetradecompliance@dcceew.gov.au.