We carefully select fossils to maintain high-quality and authenticity standards. We only accept genuine, natural history objects valued at €100 or more. Our experts assess condition, scientific interest, and legal compliance to ensure bidders find well-preserved and remarkable specimens.
Follow these guidelines to maximise your chances of a successful sale.
What we accept
We’re looking for authentic, scientifically or decoratively interesting fossil specimens that appeal to serious collectors. To be accepted, your object must:
- Be of collectable scientific or decorative value (vertebrates, invertebrates, wood, amber, plants, etc.), over 5,000 years old and Include enough of the specimen to allow species identification
- Meet the relevant criteria by fossil type
- Be in display worthy condition, professionally restored or (where necessary) have been consolidated or stabilised to be of lasting conservation
- Originate from countries that:
- comply with national and international cultural heritage regulations
- allow the export of the respective fossilised objects
- Be accompanied by:
- detailed provenance information
- CITES permits (if required) for protected species like amber, coral, or ivory
- Meet the minimum expected value of €100
(You can combine objects in one submission to meet this threshold, based on the same geological period, fossil type, or find location)
Minimum criteria by fossil type
To help you determine whether your fossil meets the minimum threshold, please check the following guidelines:
Fossil teeth
- Must be over 3 cm in length
- Must have good serrations and enamel
- Special requirements:
Megalodon teeth: must be minimum 10 cm
Spinosaurus and Mosasaurus teeth: must be 50mm-70mm (for grouped submissions) or minimum 70mm (for individual submissions)
Fossil fish
- Must be complete and well-prepared
- Minimum length: 10 cm
- Must have good matrix contrast and placement
Amber-included fossils
- Accepted if the inclusion is clearly visible and unrestricted
- Include insects like spiders, beetles, scorpions, snails, or vertebrate remains
- Multiple specimens: total weight ≥ 50 g
Petrified wood & plants
- Fossil wood slices: diameter ≥ 30 cm
- Petrified wood logs: weight ≥ 30 kg
Invertebrates
- Trilobites, large ammonites larger than 10 cm, nautiloids, quality echinoderms
- Molluscs: only Cephalopoda (Nautiloidea, Ammonoidea) larger than 12 cm and certain species like Campanile giganteum or Pecten
- Must be complete and well-prepared
Fragmentary bones
- Accepted if rare, display-worthy, or educationally useful
- Must be clearly identifiable or part of a known species
- Poorly presented fragments or random debris: not accepted
What we do not accept
To keep our auctions high-quality and trustworthy, we do not accept:
- Fossils with excessive restoration (e.g. fully reconstructed ammonite spines)
- Incomplete or poorly prepared fossils (e.g. broken teeth, partial ammonites)
- Sponges, brachiopods, graptolites, small gastropods (<5 cm)
- Fossils under 5,000 years old (e.g. recent bones)
- Objects that are too small to identify or have low contrast
- Fossils from non-permitted or CITES-restricted sources without documentation
📌 Examples of rejected objects:
Getting your submission ready
1. Fill in all the details and write a clear description
When you submit an object, you’ll see fields to guide you in providing the right information, such as type of object, specimen, scientific name, geological period, origin, dimensions, weight, condition, etc. These fields ensure your listing is clear, searchable, and easy for bidders to understand.
Please also use the object description field to share:
- Unique features or notable history of the object
- Fossil preservation or restoration details
Geological site or collection history (if known)
- What is included/not included (e.g. stand, box, certificate)
- Legal origin or import documentation (if applicable)
- If the object has any flaws
Tip: The more detail you provide, the easier it is for bidders to understand the value of your object – and the more likely it is to sell.
📌 Example of description:
“Outstanding complete large heteromorph ammonite, 18.8 cm, rare and hard to find, from Yezo Group Hokkaido, Japan.
This beautiful specimen preserved the conch with amazing colours.
Subject matter experts know how rare and difficult it is to come across this type of material.
Restoration: 7%, some glued parts and some color add on glued parts. Specimen has been removed from matrix, been prepared, restored on missing parts( big curl is restored) then reglued on its matrix.
Subptychoceras jimboi Matsumoto
Campanian, Late Cretaceous
Kotanbetsu River, Tomamae Town, Tomamae District,
Hokkaido,Japan
Here is an excellent heteromorph specimen for the collector looking for a displayable matrix piece from Japan”.
2. Great photos matter
Photos are the first thing bidders see – so make them count! We recommend including 8 high-quality images that clearly show the condition and details of your object. This helps bidders make informed decisions and increases your chances of a successful sale.
Your photos should include:
For all submissions:
- A 360° view (front, back, sides, top, bottom)
- Sharp close-ups of distinguishing features, textures, repairs, damage
- Background-free, well-lit images (avoid flash, hands, furniture)
- Labels, documents, and any included extras (e.g. boxes, ID tags)
For grouped submissions:
- Group photos and individual shots
Tip: Avoid photos with people, selfies, or screenshots. Use a neutral background (white or black), avoid low-quality or stock images, and aim for natural lighting. Find here more tips on how to take professional photos.
📌 Examples of good vs. bad photos:
- Neutral background highlights the object:
- Fossil should fill the frame:
- Good lighting allows to showcase the object better:
3. Additional proof of authenticity, provenance and legal compliance
We pay extra attention to ensure authenticity and legal compliance of objects to protect bidders and ensure a trustworthy marketplace.
Fossil sellers must follow all relevant legal requirements, including:
- Export licences for fossils from protected countries
- CITES compliancefor endangered species. For current EU and CITES guidelines, visit:
- Verification of legal excavation and ownership
To ensure authenticity and compliance, you will be requested to provide:
✔ Invoices, certificates, collection records, or academic references
✔ Photos of professional restoration or consolidation
✔ Export documents for protected species or countries of origin
Requirements for import & export of fossils
Selling fossil specimens comes with legal responsibilities. Sellers and buyers are expected to take all reasonable steps to guarantee the lawfulness of what they trade, in accordance with the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the protection of cultural and natural heritage.
As a seller, you are responsible for:
- Confirming whether you are allowed to sell or export the item from your country
- Checking whether the destination country permits import of the object
- Applying for any required export or trade licences
- Informing the buyer about the licence status and any shipping restrictions
📌 Reminder: many EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain) require an export licence for all cultural property, even when shipping within the EU.
Shipping tips:
- Always include provenance documentation in the shipment
- Provide a clear and accurate description of the object and its origin
- Never ship an object until all required permits or approvals are in place
International legal framework for trading antiquities
Catawiki adheres to strict national and international cultural protection laws, including:
1970 UNESCO Convention on the prohibition of illicit import/export of cultural and natural property
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) – for fossils derived from protected species
EU trade regulations
National laws concerning Natural Heritage and geological specimens
📌 For more details, refer to:
- CITES guidelines
- UNESCO National Laws Database
- EU CITES Trade Guide
- Species+ – for current protected species lists
Ready to sell? List your fossils today
Selling with us is free – commission is only applied if your object sells.
Follow these guidelines to maximise your chances of success.
Register as a seller and submit your object for auction now.