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Statutory guidance

Ivory Act 2018 enforcement and civil sanctions

How the Animal and Plant Health Agency and other enforcement bodies can use enforcement and sanctioning powers to secure compliance with illegal ivory dealing.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published:
21 March 2022
Last updated:
30 June 2026
Show all updates

  1. Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Ivory Act 2018 annual civil sanction report, covering the period July 2024 to June 2025.

  2. Added update to confirm that, as of 28 April 2025, no civil sanctions have been applied under the Ivory Act 2018, so there is no report to publish at this time.

  3. This guidance now covers ivory from the following species: elephant, hippopotamus, killer whale, narwhal and sperm whale.

  4. Added a link to the enforcement undertaking offer form. Edited the certificate of compliance section - we'll send you an enforcement undertaking compliance certificate form when we write to you to accept your proposal.

  5. Added Welsh translation for the document.

  6. First published.

Documents

Ivory Act 2018 enforcement and civil sanctions

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Ivory Act 2018: civil sanctions July 2025 to June 2026

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Ivory Act 2018: civil sanctions July 2024 to June 2025

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Details

Includes information on:

  • enforcement and investigation powers
  • civil sanctions that may be applied - enforcement undertakings, stop notices and monetary penalties
  • criminal proceedings for more serious offences
  • challenges and appeals
  • the report we will publish on the use of civil sanctions

Read guidance on how to register an ivory item.

Annual reports: Ivory Act 2018 civil sanctions

The Animal Health and Plant health agency (APHA) published annual reports outlining where civil sanctions are issued. This could include enforcement undertakings, stop notices or monetary penalties.

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