Prohibited Items List for Souk Too

The following items must not be listed, sold, or offered on Souk Too website.
This list reflects UK law and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) protections.
We operate a zero-tolerance policy: no ivory, no CITES species, no restricted substances.

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1. Ivory and Related Materials

• All items made from or containing ivory, regardless of age or certification status.
• Includes ivory from elephants, hippopotamus, narwhal, sperm whale, killer whale, walrus, and other ivory-bearing species.
  
  Selling, offering, facilitating, or arranging such items is illegal and can result in up to £250,000 fine and/or 5 years’ imprisonment.
  Items may be assumed made of ivory unless proven otherwise.

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2. CITES-Protected Wildlife Materials

• Any items containing or made from endangered or protected wildlife species, even if antique.
• Examples include (but are not limited to):
  • Big cat parts (teeth, claws, skins, fur, bone)
  • Reptile skins and parts (crocodile, alligator, lizard, snake, tortoise shell)
  • Marine species (protected coral species, sea turtles, marine mammals)
  • Exotic bird feathers, eggs, or parts
  • Other listed species under CITES Appendices.

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3. Treasure and Cultural Property

• Any item classed as “Treasure” under the UK Treasure Act 1996 or Treasure Trove in Scotland that has not been officially cleared.
• Items of archaeological or cultural heritage that are subject to export restrictions (e.g., artefacts from Greece, Italy, Egypt, etc.).

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4. Hazardous or Restricted Substances in Jewellery

Jewellery containing certain metals and chemicals is not permitted. Prohibited items include:

• Cadmium
  • Jewellery or components with cadmium content above 0.01% by weight.
• Lead
  • Jewellery or components with lead content above 0.05% by weight.
• Nickel
  • Jewellery that releases nickel above the following thresholds:
    • Pierced body jewellery: Nickel release rate must not exceed 0.2 µg/cm²/week.
    • Items intended for direct and prolonged skin contact (e.g., earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, watch cases, watch straps, spectacle frames): Nickel release rate must not exceed 0.5 µg/cm²/week.
    • Coated items: Coating must be durable enough to ensure nickel release stays below 0.5 µg/cm²/weekfor at least 2 years under normal use.

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Summary Table

Category	Status	Legal Thresholds (where relevant)
Ivory (any species, any date)	Prohibited	N/A
CITES-listed species (all forms)	Prohibited	N/A
Treasure & restricted antiquities	Prohibited	N/A
Cadmium in jewellery	Prohibited	> 0.01% by weight
Lead in jewellery	Prohibited	> 0.05% by weight
Nickel in jewellery	Prohibited if release exceeds:  • 0.2 µg/cm²/week (piercings)  • 0.5 µg/cm²/week (skin contact)