The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): Permits

Juvenile white rhino - this species was listed in 1975 when CITES was established.

Image: Franco Pecchio | Creative Commons

Introduction

CITES regulates and monitors trade in endangered animal and plant species to ensure it does not threaten their long-term survival in the wild.

Changes to the CITES Appendix listings

From 13 July 2023, CITES permitting requirements will change for some species. CITES permitting requirements will become stricter for some species and less strict for others.

More information on the changes.

Over 38,000 species are covered by CITES, with trade in these managed through a system of permits and certificates. Items containing CITES species are likely to need documentation to be able to travel between countries.

Items in your luggage or online shopping cart might contain CITES species without you realising. They could be clothing, shoes, medicines, souvenirs, plants, shells, furniture, or ornaments. You could be wearing a taonga made from whalebone or bringing home a hunting trophy – CITES regulations could apply to all of these.

Check ahead of time to make sure you won’t get delayed at the border or have your goods seized. Find out below if your goods fall within the CITES requirements and whether you need a permit. Apply well ahead of time for a permit if you need one.