Can you bring back clean Warthog Ivory in your checked luggage Zim - USA

Would be interesting to know, though I doubt it.

I think you would need proper paperwork for that.

Don’t try it. When your luggage gets xrayed it will show up.

In Tanzania a few years ago they arrested a hunter who picked a warthog tusk from the field and was taking it home with him.

We were at the airport when we learned about this, and have no idea what the outcome was.

Organic items do show on the xray.

Warthog tusks that you purchase at a business you can bring back in your checks luggage or carry on luggage. Like if you purchase one at the airport, you would need to place it in your carryon bag. You just need to declare it at customs. I have done this a few times.

To bring back a warthog tusk or to try and bring back a warthog tusk will get you in a lot of trouble. There is a 90 day period for getting all the proper documents to export it. If you are staying that long for the 90 days, you could probably bring it home with you.

I've brought home the warthog tusk letter openers and bottle openers they sell at OR Tambo but raw pork products have to be cleared by an US Agriculture approved taxidermist, I believe.

thanks

And yet: on my third return we had a literal bread sack of warthog tusks( had been culling) and we were cleared in Atlanta. The dog sniffed them and we were asked to open the bag. We were then allowed to continue. Go figger!!! Cheers Luke

quote:

I've brought home the warthog tusk letter openers and bottle openers they sell at OR Tambo

What you have described can be classified as commercial trinkets and not really subject to seizure unless you come across an idiot at Customs and there is no shortage of such types.

You are more likely to get apprehended at the point of departure if you are found in possession of a raw product, i.e. pick up or from recently killed game (of any species) but you may get off the hook if you have some form of supporting documents that legalize possession and export.

I would avoid the experience in finding out.

Did this very thing in Zim 2014. Picked up wart hog tusks were spotted in my luggage departing Bulawayo. I was called out of line and took behind the scenes to view x-rays of my luggage and questioned. Nothing crazy but it was taken seriously. I told the truth and after some simple lecturing on the rules was allowed to proceed with them still in my luggage. No other trouble at any other airports at all.