CITES permit

A CITES permit is a document required for the international trade of species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES aims to ensure that commercial trade does not threaten the survival of these species in the wild. Here’s an overview of how CITES permits work:

Types of CITES Listings

• Appendix I: Includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in these species is heavily restricted and requires stringent permits.

• Appendix II: Includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction but whose trade must be regulated to prevent over-exploitation.

• Appendix III: Includes species that are protected by national laws and require cooperation from other countries to prevent over-exploitation.

Permit Requirements

• Export Permits: Issued by the exporting country’s Management Authority, ensuring that the export is legal and not detrimental to the species’ survival.

• Import Permits: Required by some countries, including EU member states, for importing species listed in Appendices I and II. The import permit is issued by the importing country’s Management Authority.

• Re-export Certificates: Needed when a specimen is re-exported from a country other than its original export country.

Applying for a CITES Permit

1. Check Requirements: Determine if a permit is needed based on the species and the countries involved.

2. Application Process: Submit a standard application form with the required fees to the relevant Management Authority. Allow sufficient time for processing, typically at least 60 days.

3. Documentation: Ensure all necessary documentation, such as export permits from the exporting country, is attached to the application.

Additional Certificates

• Pre-Convention Certificate: For specimens obtained before the species was listed under CITES.

• Bred-in-Captivity Certificate: For species bred in captivity, which may exempt the need for an import permit for Appendix I species1.

• Scientific Exchange Certificate: For non-commercial exchanges among scientific institutions