Effective Feb. 18, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has imposed import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological material from Afghanistan. Affected archaeological material ranges in date from the Paleolithic (50,000 B.C.) through the beginning of the Durranid dynasty (A.D. 1747). Ethnological material includes architectural objects and wooden objects associated with Afghanistan’s diverse history, from the 9th century A.D. through A.D. 1920.
Categories of materials subject to these restrictions, which will remain in effect until April 28, 2026, unless extended, include the following.
- stone architectural elements, relief sculpture, statuary, vessels and containers, tools, instruments, weights, beads, jewelry, stamps, seals, and furniture
- ceramic, faience, and clay statuary, architectural elements, vessels, and Islamic period tiles
- metal containers and vessels, jewelry and personal adornment, tools and instruments, weapons and armor, coins, ceremonial objects, statuary, ornaments, relief sculpture, stamps, and seals
- plaster, stucco, and unfired clay
- paintings
- ivory and bone relief panels and plaques, statuary, containers, and furniture
- glass architectural elements, beads and jewelry, vessels, ornaments, and stained glass
- leather, birch bark, velum, parchment, and paper books, manuscripts, and items of personal adornment
- textiles
- wood, shell, and other organic material (e.g., furniture, jewelry, musical instruments, etc.)
Copyright © 2025 Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.