Legislation, Regulations, CITES & Specimen Provenance
At CURIOSITAS, our passion for natural history goes hand in hand with strict compliance with French and international legislation, as well as total transparency regarding the provenance of our osteological and entomological specimens.
1. Entomology: Origins
The insects and butterflies presented in our shop and prepared in our workshop are sourced from rigorously selected channels:
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Vintage collections: The research and preservation of vintage collections, given new life by repurposing the specimens.
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Breeding farms: Direct partnerships with specialized breeding farms around the world, contributing to the preservation of local ecosystems.
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Regulated wild capture: For species that cannot be farm-raised, we select suppliers operating in countries with regulated capture quotas.
2. Osteology: Traceability & By-products
The osteological items (skulls, bones, complete specimens) we offer follow a clear framework of traceability:
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Historical specimens: Antique items sourced from estates, old cabinets of curiosities, or private collections.
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Farm by-products: Animals from farms where the osteological material is a secondary by-product. No animal is harvested solely for its skull.
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Legal hunting and trapping: For certain specific species, specimens originate from legal wildlife management and culling programs regulated by local authorities.
3. CITES Legislation
All species covered by the Washington Convention (CITES) or European regulations are sold with their official import documentation or intra-EU transfer certificates, alongside a detailed invoice. No prohibited species or specimens lacking required legal paperwork are offered for sale.
Export & International Sales:
No sales of species requiring a CITES permit will be processed for destinations outside the European Union. Furthermore, for all international orders, customers are individually responsible for verifying the local import regulations and legality of the species in their country of residence prior to purchase.
4. Legislation on Human Remains
In accordance with current French regulations prohibiting the sale of human remains, CURIOSITAS does not offer any human remains for sale.
Article 16-1 of the French Civil Code (July 29, 1994)
“Everyone has the right to respect for their body. The human body is inviolable. The human body, its elements, and its products may not be the subject of a property right.”
Article 16-5 of the French Civil Code (July 29, 1994)
“Agreements having the effect of bestowing a monetary or property value upon the human body, its elements, or its products are null and void.”
This means that all human remains are legally non-commercial (out of commerce); they cannot be the subject of any financial transaction or sale.