On February 27, 2018, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register a final rule [CBP Dec. 18-02] that amends CBP regulations to reflect the extension of import restrictions on certain archaeological material from Belize. These restrictions, which were imposed by CBP Dec. 13-05, are due to expire on February 27, 2018, unless extended. The Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State (Department of State), has determined that conditions continue to warrant the imposition of import restrictions. Accordingly, the restrictions will remain in effect for an additional five years, and the CBP regulations are being amended to indicate this additional extension. These restrictions are being extended pursuant to determinations of the Department of State under the terms of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, which implements the 1970 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. CBP Dec. 13-05 contains the Designated List of archaeological material that describes the articles to which the restrictions apply.
