Fossil rules
and laws vary greatly from country to country. I have not, of course, managed
to get information on all the many different fossil laws out there. I believe
this selection provides a pretty good idea of the range of fossil laws.
Australia--
No export without a license, possibly no collecting without a license.
(17)
Canada--
No export without a permit unless the fossil is small, cheep, ugly and
really, really common. Then you can
have it. :)
Removal
of fossils from Canada
China--
Government regulates/prohibits export of certain fossil types. (17)
Mongolia--
Government owns fossils. If you buy them you'll end up paying a lot more
than you bargained for. (17)
Russia-- Fossils belong to anyone who can steal them/back in the case where they came from! (4)
Scotland--
Fossils belong to land owner/owner of the mineral rights.
Scottish
Fossil Regulations
Sweden--
Play nice and nobody gets hurt. Be honest and polite. Obey local laws.
Code
of Ethics
Switzerland---
Play nice and nobody gets hurt. Be honest and polite. Obey local laws.
CODE
OF HONOR
South Africa--
Fossils belong to government, need permit to move them, even on private
property
Fossils
and the Law in South Africa
United States--
As it stands now, only professional paleontologists allowed to excavate
fossils on public land. Fossils on public land belong to the government.
Private property, provided permission of owner is granted, open to anyone.
Be nice.
Geological
Society of America - Policy & Government Affairs - In the News
Fossil
Preservation Act of 1996