Agency Posts Guide to Legal Native Arts and Crafts

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By KTVA CBS 11 News
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Story Created: Jun 20, 2012 at 10:03 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 20, 2012 at 10:03 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is making it easier for tourists to find out what Alaska Native crafts are legal to bring back home.

It teamed up with the Alaska State Council on the Arts to put out an online "customs guide."

In order to be considered a legal handicraft, the artist must “substantially” alter the art.

Attaching a bear claw to some string to make a necklace, for example, would not be considered a handicraft.

“Most of the things you're going to buy in a shop are legal to purchase, but the question is, can you get them where you want to go? And this largely, though not exclusively, deals with ivory products from walrus ivory,” said Bruce Woods of U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

It's interesting to note there are no restrictions on the sale of mammoth or mastodon ivory.

Because the animals are extinct, there are no regulations on what can be done with their remains.

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