Nowadays, vacationers will take extraordinary measures to bring home mementos of their trip. Most people do this as souvenirs have evolved beyond simple postcards and fridge magnets. However, visitors to the Italian island of Sardinia should know that bringing home some of the island’s powdery white sand might lead to more than just fond memories—it could result in hefty fines or even jail time.

The incredible beauty of Sardinia’s beaches has made the island famous for vacationers. Yet, this surge in popularity has led to a concerning trend. The theft of the island’s natural treasures continues to rise. As a result, authorities in Sardinia are cracking down on this. Anyone found transporting sand, stones, shells, or even archaeological artifacts off the island faces fines of up to €3,000 ($3,815).

Why Sardinia Implemented New Penalties

The local government has been forced to take these drastic measures as sand theft has risen. This increase is despite laws approved in 2017 specifically designed to combat this issue. Now, those guilty of taking significant amounts of sand could even face a year in prison. A conviction for the aggravated theft of public property would significantly increase the sentence. 

This issue initially came to light internationally in 2019. During this time, a French couple was caught with more than 80 pounds of Sardinian sand in their car. They told local police they wanted to take the sand home as a souvenir and did not realize they had committed an offense. However, their ignorance of the law did not spare them from facing up to six years in prison.

The campaign group, ‘Sardinia robbed and plundered’ (‘Sardegna rubata e depredata’) estimated that at least six tons of sand had been taken from the island’s beaches by mid-August 2021, highlighting the extent of the problem. In response to over-tourism and the environmental threat it poses, Sardinia has also introduced new regulations on access to its beaches. For example, in the archipelago of La Maddalena, tourist access has been limited to two beaches. 

In 2022, only 60 people per day could visit Cala Coticcio and Cala Brigantina during the summer. Visitors were required to book their slots online. Now, tourists are urged to respect local laws and understand that the natural elements they find so appealing are part of the island’s natural heritage, not mere souvenirs.