Specimen Collecting & Deposition

If you are collecting for, donating/selling specimens to or sending specimens to or from AMNH, it is important that you read  and follow these guidelines.  

AMNH Researchers are responsible for obtaining their own scientific collecting permits and export permits (where applicable) from state, federal or foreign agencies.  

Copies of permits/titles/receipts must be given to Curators at the time specimens are deposited in the museum to be filed along with an accession form and, when appropriate, a specimen transfer form in the Registrar's Office.

Deposition of Specimens

All specimens (staff collected, donated, purchased) deposited in Invertebrate Zoology must be accompanied by an Accession Form that should be sent to the Registrar's Office at AMNH via the Curatorial Associate along with the supporting documentation (relevant permits, receipts, titles).

Donations

Donations of specimens to Invertebrate Zoology for incorporation into the collection must be accompanied by a Specimen Transfer Form and a Letter of Transmittal to assure the donor has the legal right to transfer ownership of the material to AMNH. Evidence of legal title on the part of the donor may include collecting permits, bills of sales, receipts and provenance.

Donations after 1985 must be accompanied by associated collection permits. Foreign (non-U.S.) material should be accompanied by a stamped U.S.F.W. 3-177 form and associated collecting and export permits.

Purchases

Sales of specimens to Invertebrate Zoology for incorporation into the collection must be accompanied by a Specimen Transfer Form to ensure the donor has the legal right to transfer ownership of the material to AMNH. Sellers must provide documentation indicating they have full and unencumbered title to the specimens, and that the specimens were obtained in compliance with all relevant local, state, Federal, and international laws, including those of the country of origin. Evidence of legal title on the part of the donor may include collecting permits, bills of sales, receipts and provenance.

Collecting: U.S.

Collecting specimens on state land (parks) typically requires a permit. Collection of protected species requires stricter state permits than non-regulated species. Because permit regulations vary from state to state, check with the state wildlife agency for current regulations. Many collecting applications are online.

Useful links to state agencies:

US Fish & Wildlife Service Permits

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service permits are required for collection of regulated wildlife ( threatened or endangered ,CITES listed species, and "injurious" wildlife).

Collecting: International

To collect and import material into the U.S., it is likely that you will need local & country collecting permits, country export permits and a USFWS import form. Collecting Permits International regulations for scientific collecting permits vary from country to country. The U.S. Department of State has information on collecting permits for individual countries. The USFWS also has great current information on permits such as new federal permits listed in the Federal Register. Allow sufficient time when applying for collecting permits. Some permits require 6 months to process. Export Permits AMNH Researchers are responsible for obtaining all necessary export permits from foreign countries prior to importing specimens into the U.S. The guidelines for obtaining export permits are similar to foreign collecting permits.