Prohibited and Restricted Items – Information for Bidders

An overview of our listing policies

Auction Technology Group (ATG) believe in providing a safe and respectful environment across our marketplaces. As such, we have a listing policy that we ask auctioneers to adhere to. This policy highlights items that may either present legal risks, are harmful to users, or not aligned our values.

We are aware that from time to time items are listed for sale on our marketplaces that fall outside of our expected standards. We constantly monitor for such items, and these will be addressed individually.

We won’t always get it right, but we are grateful for your patience while we work towards higher standards.

Auctioneer responsibilities

Auction houses are expected to follow these policies, as well as complying with relevant local and international laws which prohibit and restrict certain items; at all times.

Illegal items and items that encourage illegal activity are strictly prohibited.

Auction houses are expected to ensure that item descriptions are accurate, true and not misleading. For example, they must ensure that where an item is a reproduction or ‘in the style of’ a particular artist, designer or brand, that this is made clear in the lot description.

ATG reserves the right to remove items that do not meet these requirements.

Prohibited items (UK and Europe)

       1. Offensive items

ATG prohibits auctioneers from listing offensive items on any of its marketplaces. This includes items that promote or glorify hatred or violence toward people based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, identity, disability or sexual orientation, or that promote organisations with such views.

The following items are specifically prohibited:

• Items promoting or linked to white supremacist groups including the KKK unless established as legitimate historical artefacts
• Nazi items unless established as legitimate historical artefacts
• Items that support or imply support of terrorist groups
• Items that convey racist, homophobic or otherwise offensive portrayals of their subjects
• Items of an explicit or offensive sexual nature

Exemptions for items of historical value or interest

We recognise that in some cases there are legitimate reasons for preserving antique items that represent historic injustices or antiquated social norms. Where transparent information about historical context is provided, such items can play a valuable role in fostering greater understanding of our complex cultural history.

Once listed these items should include date and information about their historical context. In extreme cases ATG may decide not to include lot images. If in doubt, please feel free to contact our team by emailing support@auctiontechnologygroup.com to discuss our policy regarding listing offensive items.

Adherence to German Law

To adhere to German law, hate-related Items created before or during World War 2 on Lot-tissimo.com are not visible unless the visitor consents to view them and confirms that they have a legitimate reason to view the item (e.g. research, teaching, journalism).

       2. Arms, ammunition, knives and hazardous materials

Auction houses selling arms or militaria items – whether antique or modern – must comply with national and local laws applicable to the jurisdiction from which their products are sold, as well as the jurisdiction to which they are to be shipped.

In addition, auction houses are responsible for obtaining any required licenses for permitted products and are liable for any penalties resulting from non-compliance.

Knives can be sold as tools only if they meet all the legal requirements and adhere to national laws (Offensive Weapons Act 2019) 

The following items are not allowed to be sold on ATG’s marketplaces in the UK and Europe under any circumstances:

• Explosives
• Catalytic converters or test pipes
• Hazardous materials (e.g. materials that are flammable, explosive, corrosive, poisonous)

       3. Wildlife products

ATG is committed to protecting all animal species – including those threatened by extinction and other protected animals.

We condemn any form of intentional trade of objects containing animal parts and products that contravenes CITES or UK Ivory Act rules – and we will act swiftly on any evidence of illegal trading in animal products on our marketplaces.

Auction houses should follow the latest regulations. Currently this means all item listings must abide by local CITES regulations (the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, 1975). In the UK, for example, this means regulations stipulated by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

In the UK, auction houses must also follow the UK Ivory Act 2018, which enforces stricter measures governing the sale of 'unworked' elephant ivory, rhinoceros horn and tiger parts, meaning that the sale of some of these items has effectively been banned.

Exemptions

CITES Antiques Derogation exemptions: For EU countries, CITES’ regulations contain specific rules around ‘antiques derogation’ – which means that ‘worked’ antiques acquired before March 1947 containing material “significantly altered from its natural raw state for jewellery, adornment, art, utility or musical instrument” can be legally traded. Most taxidermy qualifies under the derogation, too.

UK Ivory Act exemptions:

In the UK, the following ivory items may still be sold:

• Items comprised of less than 10% ivory by volume made prior to 1947;
• Musical instruments with an ivory content of less than 20% and made before 1975;
• Ivory portrait miniatures made before 1918;
• Sales to and between accredited museums;
• Items of outstanding artistic, cultural or historic significance, made prior to 1918, the trade in which will be subject to the advice of specialists at institutions such as the UK’s most prestigious museums.

Further reading:

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) agreement, 1975

       4. Adult content

Explicit, overly graphic nudity is strictly forbidden on our platform. Tasteful, artfully represented nudity of an antique nature may be permitted. In particular images featuring graphic erogenous zones, child nudity/pornography, real or fictionalised depictions of an obscene nature are forbidden.

     5. Human remains 

The sale of human body parts and items made from human organs is prohibited with exceptions for legitimate anatomical skeletal teaching aids, items featuring “by-products” (memento mori items etc.) and items of historical, archaeological, anthropological or artistic interest.

      6. Other inappropriate items

The following items are prohibited across all of ATG’s marketplaces:

• Drugs and drug paraphernalia, including any medical drug claims about an item
• Illegal, counterfeit, or stolen items
• Material judged to be lewd and licentious.