Can I take meteorites out of the country where they were found?
Only if that country's law allows it: many countries freely permit export, but others protect meteorites as heritage and require permits or forbid export entirely, so check before you travel.
Meteorites cross borders all the time, carried by scientists, dealers and collectors. But a meteorite is not just a souvenir rock. In a growing number of countries it is legally protected, and taking it out without the right paperwork can be treated like smuggling cultural or natural heritage.
The rules vary enormously. Some countries place few restrictions on meteorites, treating them like ordinary minerals. Others require an export permit, which may only be granted after a national museum has examined the specimen or kept a portion for its collection. Some forbid the export of meteorites altogether, or protect particular famous meteorites and strewn fields. Customs officials can seize protected material, and travellers may face fines or prosecution. Because laws are updated from time to time, information that was correct a few years ago may no longer apply.
Your home country's rules matter too. Some countries restrict the import of material taken illegally from elsewhere, and reputable museums and scientific journals increasingly expect evidence that a specimen was collected and exported lawfully before they will study or describe it.
If you are travelling to hunt for or buy meteorites, do your homework first. Find out who owns meteorites under local law, whether collecting is allowed where you plan to search, and whether an export permit is needed. Get landowner permission and keep records of where, when and how each specimen was found or bought. When buying abroad, ask for documentation, and be wary of anyone who suggests hiding specimens in luggage. The safest approach for an unusual find is often to work with a museum or university in the country concerned, which can also help the meteorite be officially recorded and named.