CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement between governments that came into force in 1975.
The import, export and use for commercial gain of certain species requires a CITES permit.
Animal Health's wildlife licensing and registration service is the part of the UK CITES management authority responsible for dealing with CITES applications.

"Postal strike: please be aware that disruption to the Royal Mail may cause your applications to take longer than normal to process.  If you need a permit or certificate urgently please download an application form from our Application Forms page and fax the completed form to us on 0117 372 8206 or scan and email it to Wildlife.licensing@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk.  We can then begin working on it before your hard copy application (marked DUPLICATE) and cheque arrive, but please remember to post them to us as we cannot issue your documents before they are received. "

For the part of the UK CITES management authority which deals with policy, click here