Export rules
Laws that control whether, and how, meteorites can be taken out of the country where they were found.
Export rules decide whether a meteorite may legally leave its country of origin. Many nations treat meteorites as part of their natural or scientific heritage, alongside fossils and archaeological finds. Depending on the country, export may be completely forbidden, allowed only with a permit, or only allowed after a sample has been deposited with a national museum or approved by an official body. The rules vary widely between countries and can change, so they must be checked for each case.
The iron meteorites of Campo del Cielo in Argentina show why such laws exist. In 1990 an attempt to take the giant El Chaco mass, about 29 tonnes, out of the area was stopped by the authorities, and the field's meteorites are now protected by provincial law. Even so, illegal removal of smaller pieces has continued to be reported, and arrests have been made.
For collectors, the practical rule is simple: buy from sellers who can explain how a specimen left its country of origin and whether that was legal at the time. Importing countries may also apply customs rules. A meteorite with a doubtful legal history may be impossible to resell or display, and a scientific journal may refuse to publish work on it.
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