CITES: What are they, who needs them and How to apply

Wildlife and its products are one of the most widely traded products across international trade routes. People have exported and imported exotic pets, luxurious furs, expensive woods, ivory, medicinal plants and many other such products for years now. However, increasing global demands have put many wild life species in threat of extinction. To counter this threat, global community came together in 1973 to establish the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly known by its acronym ‘CITES’. It is an enforceable treaty in more than 180 countries that are signatories to this Convention; including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Northern Ireland (UK). It has legal implications for individuals and businesses involved in sale/purchase and movement of wildlife related products and freight businesses that ship them.

Let us answer some frequently asked questions about CITES.

What Species CITES cover?

As we know CITES cover many plants and wildlife, as well as their by-products. You can always check if the goods being shipped are covered by CITES on official CITES checklist. It is important to note that different goods will require different CITES certificates based on their conservation status. The convention categorises all species in three appendices.

I. Appendix I covers the species that are already classified as having high extinction risk. These are highly restricted for trade and permits depend on exceptional circumstances like scientific research.

II. Appendix II covers species that can be endangered if their trade and consumption is not regulated. Limited export permits are granted to ensure trade remains sustainable and the reproduction process can keep up with consumption.

III. Appendix III covers species that have restricted trade status in at least one signatory country. This may mean that the included species have extinction or near extinction status in some countries while they may be abundant in others.

The trade permits for export or import will need to verify that the shipper has legally acquired the goods. In some cases, like African Elephant ivory artifacts, it may also require verification that they were predate ivory bans. This means you can only own, inherit or gift an already available ivory product that was produced before 1989 when the ban became effective. Any artifacts produced after 1989 are classified as illegal production.

Who need CITES?

CITES is a legally required customs documentation required by:

• All companies and businesses involved in sale and purchase of pets, plants, wildlife by-products like leather, and all other species listed in CITES checklist’
• All private individuals who are moving personal items like souvenirs containing restricted species or pets,
• All organisations like charities, museums, zoos and research institutions that are involved in moving pets or wild life species beyond national borders.
• All freight solution providers including freight carriers and freight forwarders. Even though they are not true shipper, they bear responsibility for ensuring correct permits is accompanied with shipments handled by themselves.

What happens if you do need attach CITES to your shipment documents?

Any company, business, individual, freight carrier or freight forwarder involved in cross-border movement of any restricted specie may face fines, penalties, bans and confiscation if correct permit does not accompany their shipment.

What kind of Permit will you require?

There are multiple types of permits. CITES export permits will verify the origin details and legal acquisition of goods to be shipped. This ensures that the country of origin allows the out-bound trade of said goods. Similarly, CITES import permit is a receiving country customs requirement that ensures goods are vetted and approved for entry in the receiving country. If goods are being exported from a country where they were not originally produced, a CITES re-export Certificate will need to be attached with the shipment, clearly stating the original country of production and legal import into the country from where the goods’ shipping journey is now starting.

Pre-Convention certificates will be required by customs authorities where goods to be shipped are currently under production ban such as ivory artifices mentioned above. The pre-convention certificates will need to verify that production of goods using restricted species predate the convention or ban dates. It should be ensured that all wildlife and its related products are correctly identified with their Latin or scientific names and not just their trade names. For example, the correct name for Brazilian Rosewood is Aniba Rosaeodora.

How Beyond Logistics Ltd helps you with attaining CITES for your shipments?

CITES applications are governed by national authorities. In the UK, you can apply through Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Some freight forwarders offer this service. At Beyond Logistics Limited, we offer a seamless service for applying relevant CITES for your shipments. Our experienced staff can help you find the appropriate species name and guide you on how to provide proof of legal acquisition. We diligently prepare your CITES application with correct shipment details like quantity and purpose. There can be more than one CITES permit required if your shipment has multiple goods grouped together. Permits issued can have stipulated conditions like handling methods and specified transport modes like air, sea or road. As freight forwarders, we ensure that CITES are displayed appropriately along with your shipment at all freight points. An incorrect permit can lead to fines, penalties and seizures.

What are challenges in CITES compliance?

• Because CITES are managed by individual national authorities, it is often challenging to navigate through varying permits requirements at origin and destination countries of a shipment that require CITES.
• It is always tricky to identify the Latin or Scientific name of species especially when dealing with derivative or by products like medicines, souvenirs etc. different listings have minor differences like rosewood originating from different parts of a country may have different names.
• Missing or incorrect documents can have serious repercussions that includes penalties, fines, shipment seizures and law suits for illegal trade.
• Different wildlife species will require different modes of handling and transport, quantity restrictions, temperature controls etc.

While CITES can be feel challenging and complex, it helps balance out greater cause of protecting endangered species and trade needs for them. Businesses, individuals, freight companies and organisations that are complaint with CITES framework demonstrate their willingness for ethical practices and present higher credibility with their clients and wider communities.

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