China Bans Ivory Imports For One Year

China's ivory import ban would prohibit ivory trinkets bought by Chinese travelers in Africa from entering the country. Photo credit: David Thomson

On Thursday, China, the world’s largest ivory-consuming nation, imposed a one-year ban on ivory imports, according to a public notice posted on the official site of the State Forestry Administration.

The Administration announced it would not handle any ivory import requests for the next year and further warned Chinese citizens not to bring back ivory from abroad.

“We certainly welcome this positive step, as it is further acknowledgement by the Chinese government of the link between owning or gifting ivory products and elephant poaching in Africa,” says African Wildlife Foundation CEO, Dr. Patrick Bergin. “As a next step, we would ask China to consider an outright ban on all ivory trade in the country. It is the legal trade in China that shields the black market trade and complicates law enforcement efforts.”

Before Thursday’s ban, Chinese travelers returning from Africa with ivory trinkets or carvings could apply for a permit to bring the ivory into the country legally. The State Forestry Administration will now no longer issue permits to import ivory products.  This also includes ivory trinkets purchased in countries outside of Africa and not accompanied by the proper CITES export permits.

African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and its partners WildAid and Save The Elephants have been targeting many of the same ivory consumers through a widespread public awareness campaign and via targeted public service announcements (PSAs). The PSAs feature celebrities such as former NBA star Yao Ming and Chinese film icon Li Bingbing, who disseminate the message that when the buying stops, the killing can too.

“In many ways the ivory import ban reinforces the message of our public awareness campaign by warning consumers not to buy ivory given the deadly consequences,” says Bergin. “We need the help and cooperation of the Chinese government and Chinese citizens if we are going to save Africa’s elephants.”