ARTIFACTS & CAVE FORMATIONS POLICY'

The sale of artifacts, fossils, relics, and cave formations is subject to strict laws and regulations. Many of these items carry significant cultural and historical value and are legally protected. Sellers are responsible for ensuring that all transactions comply with applicable laws before listing these items on PatriotBuySell.

The following items may not be listed or sold on PatriotBuySell:

• Items obtained from government or protected land, historical grave sites, or shipwrecks 

• Looted or stolen goods of any kind 

• Speleothems, stalactites, and stalagmites sourced from caves located on government land 

• The following Native American items:

  • Funeral objects placed with the deceased 

  • Grave markers 

  • Human remains 

  • Sacred items used in ceremonial practices by Native American religious leaders, such as ceremonial masks and prayer sticks 

Requirements for allowed listings

Artifacts, fossils, and relics must: 

• Comply with all applicable government regulations 

• Be authentic and listed under the appropriate category 

Replicas must:

• Clearly state in both the title and description that the item is a replica 

• Be listed under the Reproduction or Fantasy category, as appropriate

Antiquities must:

• Include the item's provenance or full ownership history 

• Where possible, include a photo or scanned copy of an official document showing the item's country of origin and legal sale details 

• Be approved for import or export before listing

Cave formations must:

• Comply with all applicable government regulations 

Government survey markers must:

• Include a photo or scanned copy of official documentation proving that ownership has been legally transferred to the seller by the government 

Native American arts, crafts, and jewelry must:

• Comply with all applicable government regulations

• Under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, any item described as Alaska Native, American Indian, or Native American must be made by an enrolled member of a state or federally recognized tribe, or by someone certified as an Indian artisan by a recognized tribe 

• Non-Native American items made in the style of Native American art or crafts must be listed under the Non-Native American category 

Important notice for sellers

PatriotBuySell is unable to verify the authenticity of specific artifacts or confirm the legality of individual sales. It is the seller's full responsibility to ensure that all listings and transactions are lawful.

For guidance on applicable regulations, refer to the following:

• The Indian Arts and Crafts Act 

• The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

• The Federal Cave Protection Act

• UNESCO Database of National Cultural Heritage Laws 

This policy also reflects regulations established by U.S. government agencies including the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). 

Resources against cultural property trafficking

For information on identifying and reporting stolen cultural goods, visit the International Council of Museums' Red Lists Database. INTERPOL also encourages sellers, collectors, and the public to actively participate in the protection of cultural heritage: 

• The INTERPOL ID-Art mobile app allows users to check items against the INTERPOL Stolen Works of Art Database

• Additional resources are available on the Cultural Heritage Crime section of the INTERPOL website 

PBS reserves the right to take action when a listing, image, or account violates this policy. Actions may include:

• Removal of listings or content 

• Seller warnings 

• Temporary selling restrictions 

• Permanent account suspension 

• Other actions required by law or the PBS User Agreement 

Why We Have This Policy

We believe in building a safe, trustworthy, and responsible marketplace for everyone. Artifacts, fossils, relics, and cave formations often carry deep cultural, historical, and spiritual significance that must be respected and protected. This policy exists to ensure that all listings comply with applicable laws, prevent the trade of looted or stolen cultural goods, and honor the rights of indigenous communities, keeping our platform a place that both buyers and sellers can trust.

Tip: Check the Seller Guide for detailed information about any policy issues on your account or listings, along with steps to help you resolve them quickly.