Cultural heritage law
Cultural heritage laws in some countries treat meteorites as protected national property, limiting collection and export.
Many countries protect objects of scientific or cultural importance with cultural heritage laws. In some, meteorites are included. This can mean that meteorites belong to the state, that finds must be reported, or that they may not leave the country without a permit.
Examples include several countries in South America, Asia and Africa, as well as parts of Australia, where meteorites are treated as protected heritage objects or state property. In Denmark, meteorites count as danekræ, natural history objects of special value, which must be handed to the state in return for a reward. In other countries, such as the UK and the United States, meteorites on private land generally belong to the landowner, while those on public land are subject to specific rules.
These laws are important for collectors and dealers. Buying a meteorite that was exported illegally can involve legal risk and harms science, because specimens and information may be lost. Responsible buyers ask for clear provenance, and laws should always be checked, because they change.
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