​​​​This Act allows the United States to restrict the import of certain items that have important cultural value. Much of the Act in based in the 1970 UNESCO Convention and the United State’s agreements with other nations to restrict importation of certain antiquities. This Act is largely based upon International law and Bilateral agreements made with other Nations.

What the Act Covers?

It covers archaeological resources which are of cultural significance, at least two hundred and fifty years old, and are normally discovered as a result of scientific excavation, accidental digging, or exploration on land or under water. As well as ethnological resources, which are the product of a tribal or nonindustrial society, and important to the cultural heritage of a people because of its distinctive characteristics, comparative rarity, or its contribution to the knowledge of the origins, development, or history of that people. The Act also expressly includes anything noted by the agreement between the two parties. 

What is Excluded?

This Act expressly excludes a great number of items despite their conformance with the definitions of protected property based upon the length of time the United States has had them, if they were acquired in good faith, and if they are immune to seizure. § 2611 should be referenced for an exhaustive list of exclusions. 

What Does the Act Apply to? 

The Act applies primarily to items in international transactions. It seeks to prevent the removal of culturally significant items from their nation of origin.