The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
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.
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.
Video
Partners
CITES in New Zealand
The Department of Conservation is the Management Authority for CITES in New Zealand.
How DOC leads New Zealand’s implementation of CITES.
More information
- CITES website
- How CITES works
- Trade in elephant ivory
- Travelling with elephant products and ivory
- Importing wildlife? What you need to know about CITES brochure (PDF, 1,773K)
- Ministry for Primary Industries Biosecurity
- NZ Customs Service
Contact
For further enquiries, contact DOC’s CITES team cites@doc.govt.nz