[meteorite-list] Canadian meteorite export law

From: Matson, Robert <ROBERT.D.MATSON_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:54:07 2004
Message-ID: <AF564D2B9D91D411B9FE00508BF1C8698E5A10_at_US-Torrance.mail.saic.com>

Hi Graham,

> I just finished writing an E-mail to my MP about the law banning
> the exportation of meteorites from Canada. I urge all of you who
> are Canadian to do so also. The problem is that because it is
> illegal to sell meteorites found in Canada, there is no incentive
> for people to search.

Others will probably chime in on this subject, but you should know
the whole law before drafting your letters. It is not illegal to
sell meteorites found in Canada if you follow the rules. As I
recall, the Canadian government has first right of refusal on the
purchase of any meteorites found. They have six months (?) to do
so (though I expect at a price quite a bit below "market value").

As I remember it, if a deal is not worked out in time, then the
finder is free to sell it to anyone in Canada. I believe someone
on the list has stated that you can also apply for export permits
to sell outside of Canada, though those export permits may not be
easy to get.

--Rob
Received on Tue 19 Feb 2002 08:37:32 PM PST