Loading...
Loading...
Commercial export is legal with proper permits — but fraud is extremely common. Legal ≠ authentic.
Reality check: Morocco is the source of the vast majority of commercial dinosaur teeth on the market (Spinosaurus, Carcharodontosaurus). The overwhelming majority of specimens sold online are heavily restored, composited, or misidentified. Legal export does not protect buyers from fraud.
Morocco's fossil export regime has evolved over time and enforcement has historically been inconsistent. Many fossils labeled as Moroccan were exported before formal permit systems were in place or through informal channels. Mining declarations or export permits from the Ministry of Energy and Mines are the formal legal pathway for commercial shipments, and reputable exporters can typically provide them. Many small online sellers cannot or will not, and buyers should treat missing export documentation as a risk factor.
• UV analysis photos of every tooth over $100
• Scientific species name (not just "dinosaur tooth")
• Export permit or mining concession reference
• Restoration percentage disclosure
• Chain of custody where possible
Sellers who refuse UV photos, claim "100% authentic, no restoration," sell complete jaws at suspiciously low prices, or label Carcharodontosaurus teeth as "T-Rex from Morocco" (there are no T-Rex in Africa).
Jurassic Depot scores every listing for provenance, authenticity, and documentation. The best way to avoid fakes is to demand proof — and to know what to ask for.