Imposition of Import Restrictions on Categories of Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Nepal

What it does

• •Imposes import restrictions on archaeological and ethnological material from Nepal, effective through January 8, 2031, under a bilateral agreement between the United States and Nepal.
• •Designates specific categories of restricted material including stone, ceramics, metals, and other artifacts dating from approximately 32,000 B.C.E. to 1770 C.E., as well as ethnological religious items and manuscripts from the 13th century C.E. to 1950 C.E.
• •Amends U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to add Nepal to the list of countries with cultural property import restrictions.
• •Requires that restricted material may only enter the United States if conditions specified in 19 U.S.C. 2606 and 19 CFR 12.104c are met.

Why it matters

• •The rule implements the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, which the United States uses to help prevent the illicit trafficking and pillage of cultural heritage from countries with significant archaeological and ethnological collections.
• •The Department of State determined that Nepal's cultural patrimony is in jeopardy from pillage and that U.S. import restrictions would substantially deter this serious situation.

Who is affected

• •Importers of archaeological and ethnological material from Nepal, including antiquities dealers, collectors, museums, and auction houses.
• •The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, which receives assistance in protecting its cultural heritage through U.S. trade enforcement.
• •U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which enforces the import restrictions at ports of entry.

What happens next

The restrictions become effective immediately on August 12, 2026, and will remain in effect for five years unless extended; CBP will enforce these restrictions at the point of importation.