Is it legal to bring back seashells from Ireland
Is it legal to bring back seashells (no living shellfish, just the shells) from Ireland (Dublin airport) via airplane to Germany? We found them on the beach. There are eight shells between 2cm and 7cm in size.
In any case, I do not want to look like I am doing illegal business. I read that people were fined with thousands of dollars/euros for trying to bring shells back from e.g. USA. The results of my research were not very insightful. It is talked about
- protection of species (but what I bring back is certainly already dead and does not contain living matter),
- giant clams (but I do not know what qualifies as such)
- "only for personal use" (which is certainly the case)
If it is illegal, where will this told to me? In Ireland or in Germany? Will there be someone on the airport to ask whether this is legal so I can drop them in time? In general, I am not very experienced with how things work on airports.
Update
Here is how the story went, which might only be partially helpful.
First, we went to some information desk at Dublin airport. I showed them the bag of seashells, and it was told to me that there are no objections to me taking these with me to Germany, at least for what Irish law is concerned. However, I was told to check again in Germany.
Now we were in a bit of a hurry and there was not really time to deal with this in Germany again. So we decided to leave the shells in Dublin. I therefore cannot tell anything new about the German side of the problem.
Best Answer
As you are no collector of shells it is very likely you will not recognize protected species, especially as shells can come to the beach far from where they live.
If there is a wildlife ranger or other specialist available to you in Ireland, ask.
If they are a protected species it does not matter you found them already dead, as there is no visible difference between your shells and shells fished, killed and cleaned for collectors.
If in doubt, go through the red channel, something to declare, when you arrive in Germany. It will take a bit more time, you may even only find a phone to connect to a customs officer on some locations, but you will not be charged a fine if you are not allowed to take things through. And officers have some leeway allowing 'honest finds'.
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Can you bring seashells through customs?
USDA does not require a permit to bring saltwater sea shells into the country because, if cleaned properly, they do not pose a significant pest or disease threat to agriculture. To avoid complication, you must make sure the shells are as clean as possible and do not contain any dirt, which can carry microorganisms.Can you take shells from the beach in Ireland?
Taking stones and shells, which form an integral part of the city's sea defences, from the beach is illegal.Can you take seashells from other countries?
Seashells. Although many varieties of seashells collected from saltwater beaches are enterable without restriction, certain countries limit the collection, sale, and export of shells and shell products.Can I return seashells to the beach?
Yes, they may wash up again, but by returning them to the ocean you are at least giving them a chance. A note about shell shops. Virtually every specimen for sale in a shell shop or souvenir shop comes from a living animal that was killed for the sole purpose of making a souvenir.What Happens If You Don't Make a Will in Ireland
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