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Apply for CITES permits and certificates to trade endangered species

How to apply to import or export endangered animal and plant species on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list.

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See current guidance on applying for CITES permits and certificates.

From:
Animal and Plant Health Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
17 July 2019

Before you start, check if you need to apply for a:

It’s a criminal offence to import or export CITES-controlled species if you do not have the correct permit or certificate. You could get a prison sentence of up to 5 years or an unlimited fine.

You should also check which land, sea and air ports you can use for trading CITES-listed endangered species, after a no-deal Brexit.

How to apply

Use these forms to apply for a permit or certificate to:

For the import of Annex C specimens, you will need to contact APHA to get an import notification form.

Before you apply

You must check:

  • you have the correct scientific name for the species (do an internet search using the common name if you’re unsure)
  • the requirements of the import or export country by contacting the CITES authority in that country

Identifying a specimen

You must make every effort to identify if your import or export is controlled under CITES rules, or your goods could be seized at the border and criminal action taken. You may want to consult an independent expert.

If you intend to move items that you can’t identify, you should check with the CITES management authority of the country of import or export before you go ahead. They may have a different opinion about the specimen.

If you’re an importer, check with the CITES management authority in the country your importing from. If they haven’t issued an export permit because the specimen isn’t ‘readily recognisable,’ then it’s unlikely that you’ll need an import permit either.

Sending your application

You must include the correct fee and scans or copies of supporting documents with your application.

You can submit your application by:

If you want to email your application and cannot electronically sign the application form, you must add a declaration in the ‘remarks’ field on the form. Do this by putting your email address in the signature or remarks box and add:

I, [insert your name], am the owner of the email address below and also the applicant. Or you can

How long it takes

APHA aims to process your application within 15 working days. If you apply by email, you’ll get a response confirming the arrival of your application. If you apply by post you will not get a receipt.

How a decision is made

Your application will be assessed based on:

  • review by scientific advisors at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew for plants and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) for animals.
  • guidance from the EU Scientific Review Group (SRG), which advises on the impact of trade on CITES-listed species and includes representatives from the CITES scientific authorities in each EU member state

Your application may be refused if the:

  • UK’s scientific authorities advise that trade levels are harming the conservation of the species
  • SRG advises against trade

You can look at previous SRG decisions and opinions on the Species+ website. If there’s no SRG opinion about a certain species, it does not mean your application will automatically be approved.

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

Fees

You must pay a small fee to cover the cost of processing your application. If you’re importing or exporting endangered species for conservation, you can apply for a waiver so that you do not need to pay CITE fees.

You will not get a refund if your application is refused or you cancel it after processing has started.

Most common charges

Permit, certificate, registration Fees for animals (£) Fees for plants (£)
Article 10 certificate 31 31
Re-Export permit 37 59
Import permit 67 74
Export permit 63 74
Travelling exhibition certificate 74 74
Personal ownership certificate 74 74
Musical instrument certificate No fee No fee

Other charges

Permit, certificate, registration Fees for animals (£) Fees for plants (£)
Movement certificate (Article 9) 88 88
Certificate of origin 31 31
Semi-complete re-export permit for biological samples (Article 18) 44 59
Semi-complete re-export permit for dead specimens (Article 19) 44 59
Semi-complete export permit for biological samples (Article 18) 72 74
Semi-complete export permit for dead specimens (Article 19) 72 74
Nursery permits (Article 29) N/A 74
Sample collection certificate (Article 44a) 74 74
Scientific institution certificate (Article 60) 146 195
CITES registration 221 221

Fees for extra permits

If you need more than one permit there’s an extra charge of £1.50 each as long as the specimens:

  • are of the same species (in the case of animals) or genus (in the case of corals and plants)
  • have the same source code and purpose code
  • will be transported between the same importer and exporter

If you need more Article 10 certificates there’s an extra charge of £1.50 each as long as the specimens:

  • are of the same species (in the case of animals) or genus (in the case of corals and plants)
  • have the same source code as the original application

They must also meet one of these conditions:

  • they’ve been included together on a previously issued Article 10 certificate
  • they were imported into the UK on a single import permit
  • they’ve been bred from the same parents in the same breeding season

If you’re unsure what fee to pay, contact the APHA Centre for International Trade: Bristol.

How to pay

You should make payments in pound sterling (£) only. Do not send cash.

You can choose to pay by:

  • cheque, made payable to APHA
  • postal order, made payable to APHA
  • any major credit or debit card (except American Express), call 01633 631 800 or use secure email credit-control.aph@sscl.gse.gov.uk

You’ll get a payment reference number once you’ve paid. If you want a receipt, you’ll have to request one with your application.

Passing on your information

You must agree to APHA passing on information, including your personal data, to:

  • the UKBF
  • Police
  • National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU)

APHA may also release information on request to other enforcement authorities under the Environmental Information Regulations, the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Replacement permits

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

  • cancelled
  • lost
  • stolen
  • accidentally destroyed

Contact the APHA Centre for International Trade: Bristol for help.

Published 17 July 2019

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