Opportunity
Federal Register #CBP Dec. 26-16
CBP Imposes Import Restrictions on Nepalese Archaeological and Ethnological Materials
Buyer
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Posted
August 12, 2026
Identifier
CBP Dec. 26-16
This action by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security, establishes import restrictions on certain cultural materials from Nepal: - Government Buyer: - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security, Office of Trade - Purpose and Scope: - Imposes import restrictions on archaeological and ethnological materials from Nepal - Enacted under a bilateral agreement to protect Nepal's cultural patrimony from pillage and illicit importation - Products/Materials Affected: - Archaeological materials dated 32,000 B.C.E. to 1770 C.E. - Ethnological materials from the 13th century C.E. to 1950 C.E. - Categories include: - Stone architectural elements - Ceramics - Metal statuary and ornaments - Paintings (including thangkas and paubhas) - Manuscripts - Religious architectural elements - Ceremonial items - Textiles - Jewelry - Human remains - Notable Requirements: - No specific OEMs, vendors, or commercial products are involved - Restrictions are regulatory, not a procurement or acquisition - Applies to a broad range of cultural property as detailed in the Designated List - Period of Performance: - Restrictions effective for five years, with possible five-year extensions
Description
This document amends U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations to impose import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological material from Nepal. The restrictions are pursuant to a bilateral agreement between the United States and Nepal under the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act. The rule adds Nepal to the list of countries with such agreements and includes a Designated List describing the restricted materials. The restrictions are effective from August 12, 2026, through January 8, 2031, with possible extensions. The import restrictions aim to protect Nepal's cultural patrimony from pillage and illicit importation.