Australian Federal Meteorite Law

As previously mentioned, it is illegal to send any meteorite overseas which has been found in Australia. Meteorites fall under the category where an export permit or clearance letter MUST be obtained to export. This falls under:

Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Regulations (1987),
Statutory Rules 1987 No. 149 as amended, made under the,
Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act (1986)
Schedule 1: National cultural heritage control list — categories of objects (regulation 4)
Part 3: Natural Science Objects

3.4: Objects in this category are Class B objects for the Act, and include:
(g) any meteorite;
 

Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act (1986)
Part II: Control of Exports and Imports
Division I: Exports
Section 9: Unlawful Exports

(1) Where a person exports an Australian protected object otherwise than in accordance with a permit or certificate, the object is forfeited.
(2) Where a person attempts to export an Australian protected object otherwise than in accordance with a permit or certificate, the object is liable to forfeiture.
(3) A person is guilty of an offence if:
    (a) the person exports, or attempts to export, an object; and
    (b) the object is an Australian protected object; and
    (c) the person’s conduct referred to in paragraph (a) is otherwise than in accordance with a permit or certificate.
(5) Without limiting the meaning of references in this section to a person attempting to export an object, a person shall be taken to attempt to export an object if the person conveys, or has possession of, the object with intent to export it or knowing that it is intended to be exported.

I am a Director of the International Meteorite Collector's Association Inc. (I.M.C.A. Inc.) which promotes Meteorite Authenticity, Education and Ethical Practices. I am also the founder of the website, Meteorites Australia, and as such fully support the Australian Government and the Department of the Environment and Heritage in this matter and will only conduct export transactions which adhere to these laws. For advice on exporting cultural heritage objects or if you have information on possible illegal exports and imports, please contact:

Cultural Property Section / Collections and Cultural Heritage Branch
Department of Communications and the Arts
GPO Box 2154
Canberra, ACT 2601

Email: movable.heritage@arts.gov.au

Tel: 1800 819 461