This section will help you to check if a species is controlled by CITES or the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations and describes what permits and certificates are required.
Check if a species is controlled
To check if a species is controlled under CITES and the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, search for the species name (either scientific or common name) in the UNEP-WCMC species database. This website provides the CITES Appendix and EU Annex that each species is listed on. Guidance on how to use this website and search for species listings is available on the UNEP-WCMC website.
What permits/certificates are required?
- Permits are required in the EU to import, export or re-export CITES specimens. A permit must be presented to customs officials at a border inspection post when a CITES specimen is imported into or exported from the EU.
- There is no requirement to obtain an import or export permit if the CITES specimen is being transferred from one EU country to another. However, you may need a CITES certificate for an Annex A specimen.
- CITES certificates are required to use an Annex A specimen commercially within the EU. These certificates are often issued in relation to birds of prey.
- CITES certificates may also be required to transfer or move a live Annex A specimen within the EU.
Summary of permit & certificate requirements for species listed on Annexes A-D of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations
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EU Annex |
Documents required |
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Import a CITES specimen into the EU |
A |
Export or re-(export) permit from country of export and import permit issued by the EU Member State of destination* |
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B |
Export or re-(export) permit from country of export and import permit issued by the EU Member State of destination* |
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C |
Export permit or re-export permit or certificate of origin issued by country of export (depending on whether exporting country has listed the species on Appendix III). Import notification completed by the importer and presented to Customs upon import to the EU |
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|
D |
Import notification completed by importer and presented to Customs upon import to the EU |
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|
Export a CITES specimen from the EU |
A |
Export permit issued by EU Member State of export and import permit issued by country of destination** |
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B |
Export permit is issued by the EU Member State of export |
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|
C |
Export permit is issued by the EU Member State of export |
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|
D |
No documents required |
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|
Re-export a CITES specimen (which originated from a non-EU country) from the EU |
A |
Re-export permit issued by the EU Member State and import permit issued by country of destination** |
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B |
Re-export permit issued by EU Member State |
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|
C |
Re-export permit issued by EU Member State of re-export |
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D |
No documents required |
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|
Commercial Use |
Applies to Annex A only |
CITES certificate Use an Annex A specimen commercially within the EU |
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Movement of live specimens |
May apply to Annex A only |
CITES certificate Transfer or move a live Annex A specimen within the EU |
**The import permit is only required from a third country when the species is listed in Appendix I of CITES