The Convention entered into force on 24 April 1972 for the three States that had deposited their respective instruments on or before the 24 January 1972. With respect to any other State, the Convention enters into force three months after the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance or accession.

To date, the 1970 Convention has been ratified by 137 Member States of UNESCO, including many culture-rich countries as well as former hubs of illicit traffic. However, given the spectacular globalization of illegal trade of cultural objects over the past decades, it is now more than ever essential that all countries join the ranks of States Parties to the Convention, to prevent further impoverishment of their own heritage, which also belongs to all of humanity.