Check if you need a CITES permit to import or export endangered species

You must apply for a permit if you’re moving a specimen of any CITES listedspecimen species either into or out of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). This includes moving a specimen to or from:

• the EU
• non-EU countries
• Northern Ireland
• Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is responsible for issuing CITES permits to move species to and from Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

You must also contact the management authority of the country you are moving the species to or from, to get the corresponding import or export permit. Having a permit from APHA does not guarantee that the other country or countries will also issue a permit.

A specimen is a living or dead animal or plant or(or any of its parts,parts or derivatives), or an item made from these.

An import, export or re-export permit is an official document that confirms you can move a specimen that is listed by CITES.

How to apply

You should:

• use Species+ to check if your specimen comes from a species on the CITES list
• apply for an import, export or re-export permit using the apply for a CITES permit service – this new digital service replaces CITES forms

As part of your application, find the trade term code.

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Personal and household effects

effects 

In some specific circumstances, you do not need need CITES documentation to documentation to move personal and household items thatthat contain a contain a CITES specimen. specimen.  

You do not need a CITES permit for the following items if they are carried in your personal luggage and intended for personal use (allowance is per person): person):  

• 125 grams of caviar (Acipenseriformes(Acipenseriformes spp), spp), in containers that are individually markedmarked in in accordance withwith Article Article 66(6) 66(6)  
• 33 rainsticks of rainsticks of Cactaceae spp Cactaceae spp  
• 44 worked workeditems containing Crocodylia spp (excluding items containing Crocodyllia spp (excluding meat and hunting trophies)  trophies)   
• 3 shells of Queen conch (Strombus gigas) gigas)  
• 4 dead specimens of seahorse (Hippocampus spp) (Hippocampus spp)  
• 3 specimens of giant clam (Tridacnidae(Tridacnidae spp) spp) not more than 3kg in total, where a specimen can be one intact shell or 2 matching halves halves  
• up to 1kg woodchips, 24ml oil, and 2 sets of beads or prayer beads (or 2 necklaces or bracelets) of agarwood (Aquilaria andand Gyrinops species)

You Gyrinopsmay species) not need a permit for other CITES specimens that are personal and household effects. This could include clothing, shoes, jewellery, household furniture, antiques, hunting trophies and some holiday souvenirs.  

This exemption is known as a ‘personal effects derogation’. It does not apply:  

• for live specimens  
• for specimens with additional measures (stricter controls) 
• in some countries – you must check the requirements of the country where you’re moving the items  

Contact APHA if you plan to import, export or re-export a personal or household item that you think includes a CITES specimen by emailing wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk.

Other permits and certificates

You can apply to import Annex C specimens. To do this you’ll need to get an import notification form by emailing APHA at wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk or phoning 03000 200 301.

Commercial use

If you plan to use any specimen listed by CITES in Annex A for commercial purposes, you must get a commercial use certificate. This is known as an Article 10 or Article 60 certificate. 

If you’re importing an Annex A specimen to sell it, you may be able to get a permit that can be used instead of an Article 10 or Article 60 certificate. Contact APHA for more information by emailing wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk.

Check if you need a commercial use certificate and see how to apply.

Musical instruments, museums, art exhibitions and touring displays

In some cases, you may need to move CITES specimens across international borders several times. For example, endangered species or specimens that are part of a:

• touring orchestra
• museum exhibit
• art exhibition
• touring display or circus

You can apply for a travelling exhibition certificate for these purposes, rather than an import, export or re-export permit for each movement.

Travelling exhibition certificates are valid for 3 years and cover all movements within this time frame.

If you do not own the CITES specimen, you must get the owner’s written authorisation to apply on their behalf. You must submit this with your application.

If the CITES specimen is a musical instrument and your movement is not for commercial purposes, you can instead apply for a musical instrument certificate. There is no fee for a musical instrument certificate.

Ivory

Read the guide on dealing in items containing ivory or made of ivory if you intend to trade or move ivory (teeth or tusks, and items made from them) from any of the following species:

• elephant
• common hippopotamus
• killer whale
• narwhal
• sperm whale

Retrospective permits

If your CITES specimens have entered or left Great Britain or Northern Ireland without the relevant permits, contact APHA by emailing wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk, as you may need to apply for a retrospective permit.

Replacement permits

You can only apply for a replacement if your official validated permit is:

• cancelled
• lost
• stolen
• accidentally destroyed

APHA only issues replacement permits if the specimen has not left or entered Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

You can only apply for a replacement permit by emailing APHA at wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk.

Before you receive your permit

Until you have the correct CITES permit, you should not:

• ship or travel with specimens
• make any payments for specimens
• enter into contracts over specimens

You must check:

• the requirements of the import or export country by contacting the CITES authority in that country
• if your specimen is subject to an import suspension (negative opinion)restriction

Check with the CITES management authority of the country of import or export before you move any items you cannot identify.

How long it takes

APHA reviews each application individually and aims to process your application within 30 days. Your application may need to be reviewed by scientific advisers at either:

• the Royal Botanical Garden, Kew – for plants
• the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) – for animals

If your application is accepted, you’ll get a printed, signed and stamped permit or certificate in the post. If your application is refused, APHA will send you a letter explaining why.

After you receive your permit

After you receive your permit, you’ll need to:

• use a designated point of entry or exit
• show your CITES documents at the border to UK Border Force 
• check other custom controls required by HMRC
• find out what you need to do when trading or moving CITES-listed specimens through UK ports and airports (including  importing or exporting by post)

Importing or exporting your species

There are different processes depending on if you plan to move the CITES-listed species yourself, or if you plan to send them by post.

Before you apply, check the guidance on how to:

• import and export plants and plant products
• import live animals or animal products
• export live animals or animal products
• trade or move CITES-listed specimens through UK ports and airports (including importing or exporting by post)

Returned goods

If your CITES specimen has been exported from Great Britain but is rejected by the importing country, contact APHA at wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk to let them know it’s been rejected. You’ll need to get CITES documents to re-import the items into Great Britain. When contacting APHA, you need to supply:

• evidence that the specimen was legally exported from Great Britain
• the reason the importing country has rejected it

Marking specimens

You must mark specimens according to European regulation Article 66 of ECCommission RegRegulation (EC) No 865/2006. The marking needed depends on what the specimen is.

Most live specimens must have one of the following:

• an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) compliant, uniquely numbered microchip
• a uniquely numbered, seamless closed ring for birds (check how to register and mark birds of prey)

Get help

If you need further advice or support with your application, contact APHA at wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk.