Animal Health

CITES

• CITES Species
• How to Apply
• Application Forms
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This additional guidance note is to be used in conjunction with the General Guidance Note for Importers, Exporters and Traders (GN1) and the General Guidance Note for Commercial Use (GN2). These will give more detail on the exact procedures and requirements when you apply for licences.

These notes are for guidance only and are not a full statement of the law. If you need points of law to be explained, you should get independent legal advice.

This page is available as a downloadable document here

• 1. Specimens covered
• 2. Permit requirements for Import and (re)export
• 3. Import of timbers listed on Annexes A, B, C and D
• 4. Additional Controls - Article 10 Certificates
• 5. Exceptions from the commercial controls
• 6. Enquiries desk and application forms
• 7. Health controls
• Appendix 1 – Timber and woody species included in the EU Regulations  
• Appendix 2 – (Re) Export/Certificate of Origin Permit Example

 1. Specimens covered

The specimens controlled under the EC Wildlife Trade Regulations are listed on Annexes A, B, C and D (Appendices I, II, III of CITES).  A list of all controlled timber and woody species is attached to this Guidance Note at Appendix 1.

 2. Permit requirements for import and (re)export

Import

(Re)Export and import permits are required for imports of specimens listed on Annexes A and B.
 
(Re)Export permits or Certificates of Origin (the latter for export of timbers that were not listed/included on Appendix III by the exporting country), and self completed Import Notification forms are required for imports of specimens listed on Annex C.

Self completed Import Notification forms are required for imports of specimens listed on Annex D.

(re)Export

(Re)Exports permits are required for (re)exports of timber parts listed on Annex A, B or C of the Regulations. Exporters should check directly with the Management Authorities of the importing countries if any additional import permits are required.

All (re)Export permits, Certificates of Origin and import permits must be issued by the appropriate CITES Management Authorities prior to the import/ (re)export, and presented to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) when the import takes place. Import Notifications should be completed in advance of each shipment and presented to Customs when the goods arrive together with the (re)export documentation.

All applications are considered individually and on their own merits.

3. Import of timbers listed on Annexes A and B, C and D

• Annex A specimens: as with all specimens listed on Annex A, commercial trade in Annex A timbers originating from the wild is generally not permitted. However, artificially propagated specimens and pre-Convention specimens which are being re-imported or  fit the definition of “worked” in the Regulations may be considered for all purposes.  
  
• Annex B specimens: the international trade in specimens listed in Annex B is permitted provided that the required (re)export and import permits have been issued. It would be helpful if copies any Forest Certification schemes certificates, such as those issued by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), could be included with the import application.
• Annex C specimens: species listed in Annex C are controlled primarily for monitoring purposes. They may be imported as long as the relevant (re)Export permit/Certificate of Origin are presented to Customs together with the self completed Import Notification.  Importers who are concerned about the validity of the export documentation they have been issued are advised to check with the relevant CITES Management Authorities prior to the shipment of the goods.
• Annex D Specimens: include some CITES Appendix III species for which the EU holds a reservation and some non-CITES that have been imported into the EU in high enough numbers to need monitoring. CITES Appendix III species on Annex D require the same documentation as Annex C. Specimens on Annex D that are not listed on any CITES Appendices only require a self completed import notification to be presented to Customs on import.
  
  The contact details for all Management Authorities may be found on the CITES Secretariat's website www.cites.org under the heading “National Contacts and Information”. These can also be provided on request by the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service.

4. Additional controls - Article 10 Certificates

Wild taken timber specimens listed in Annex A are subject to additional controls within the EU: Article 10 sale exemption certificates are required before any commercial use can take place. Certificates may also be needed to certify that Annex A-C specimens were lawfully obtained or imported into the European Union, to facilitate re-export from another EU member state. Pre-Convention specimens are also subject to the controls. In accordance with Article 8.3a of Regulation EC 338/97, pre-Convention specimens must have been acquired in, or introduced into, the territory of a Member State before the provisions of the Regulations or the Convention became applicable to them.

5. Article 10 Certificates - Exceptions

Within the EU, timbers obtained from artificially propagated specimens are not subject to the commercial controls, and can be traded without certificates. But international trade in artificially propagated timbers is subject to import and export permits as specified above unless specifically exempted.

Worked items, which were obtained before 1 June 1947 are also not subject to commercial controls within the EU. They are defined at Article 2 of Council Regulation EC No. 338/97 as specimens that were removed from the wild and significantly altered from their natural state for jewellery, adornment, art, utility or musical instruments, before 1st June 1947.  They must have been obtained in this condition and require no further carving, crafting or manufacture to effect their purpose. Specimens obtained before this date but which remain substantially unaltered from their natural state do not qualify for this exclusion from the controls. Certificates are, therefore, required for these specimens.

6. Enquiries desk and application forms

If you have any questions or would like an application form, please contact the enquiries
desk (see contact details below) or down-load them from the website.

Animal Health
Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service (WLRS)
Floor 1, Zone 17                                            
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Bristol
BS1 6EB                     

Phone: 0117 372 8774
Fax: 0117 372 8206                                                                 
E-mail: wildlife.licensing@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/cites

7. Health Controls

The import of timbers and timber products may also be subject to health controls.
Enquiries should be addressed to:

The Forestry Commission
Plant Health Service
231 Corstorphine Road
Edinburgh EH12 7AT

Phone: 0131 314 6414
Fax : 0131 314 6148

E-mail:   plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.forestry.gov.uk

Appendix 1

TIMBER AND WOODY SPECIES INCLUDED IN THE EU REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING CITES

NB:

• The CITES Appendix listings in this table reflect any decisions taken at the last CITES Conference of the Parties (COP13), which  was held in the Netherlands on 2-14 October 2004. The EC Annex listings are in accordance with the Official Journal of the European Union (Commission Regulation No 407/2009) published on 14 May 2009.
• The Latin or scientific name identifies a species uniquely (in italics in the table). Common names are included in brackets for ease of reference but the UK Authorities can only advise on the basis of the scientific name provided by the trader.

Annex	Taxa Included
Annex A	Equivalent to CITES Appendix I. Includes CITES Appendix I species and species for which the EU takes stricter measures
Annex B	Equivalent to CITES Appendix II. Includes CITES Appendix II species and species for which the EU takes stricter measures
Annex C	Equivalent to CITES Appendix III
Annex D	No CITES equivalent

 

 

 

 

 

TIMBER SPECIES (COMMON NAME IN BRACKETS)	DISTRIBUTION	ANNEX/ APPENDIX LISTING	WHAT IS CONTROLLED
Species: Abies guatemalensis Family: Pinaceae (Guatemalan Fir)	Central America	Annex A / Appendix I	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled.

Species: Araucaria araucanaFamily: Araucariaceae(Monkey-puzzle tree)	Chile and Argentina	Annex A / Appendix I	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled.
Species: Aquilaria spp. (All species within the genus are controlled) Family: Thymeleaceae (Agarwood)	Asia	Annex B / Appendix II	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from: a)    seeds, spores and pollen (including  pollinia); b)    seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; and c)    cut flowers of artificially propagated plants
Species: Bulnesia sarmientoi Family: Zygophyllaceae (Guaiacwood or Palo Santo)	Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia	Annex C / Appendix IIIListed by Argentina	Controls apply to logs, sawn wood, veneer sheets, plywood, powder and extracts
Species: Caesalpinia echinata Family: Leguminosae (Fabaceae) (Pernambuco or Brazil wood)	Brazil	Annex B/ Appendix II	Controls apply to logs, sawn wood, veneer sheets, including unfinished wood articles used for the fabrication of bows for stringed musical instruments.
Species: Caryocar costaricense Family: Caryocaraceae (Ajillo)	Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama	Annex B / Appendix II	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from: a)    seeds, spores and pollen (including pollinia); b)    seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; and c)    cut flowers of artificially propagated plants
Species: Cedrela odorata Family: Meliaceae(Spanish cedar or Cigarbox Cedar)	South and Central America incl. West Indies	Populations of Colombia, Peru and Guatemala only: Annex C / Appendix III   All other populations: Annex D (no CITES equivalent)	Controls for Annex B specimens only apply to logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets Controls for Annex D specimens apply to live specimens and logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets
Species: Cedrela fissilis Family: Meliaceae	South and Central America and the Caribbean	Annex D (no equivalent CITES Appendix)	Controls apply to live specimens and logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets
Species: Cedrela lilloi Family: Meliaceae	South  America	Annex D (no equivalent CITES Appendix)	Controls apply to live specimens and logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets
Species: Cedrela montana Family: Meliaceae	South America	Annex D (no equivalent CITES Appendix)	Controls apply to live specimens and logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets
Species: Cedrela oaxacensis Family: Meliaceae	Mexico to Panama	Annex D (no equivalent CITES Appendix)	Controls apply to live specimens and logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets
Species: Cedrela salvadorensis Family: Meliaceae	El Salvador	Annex D (no equivalent CITES Appendix)	Controls apply to live specimens and logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets
Species: Cedrela tonduzii Family: Meliaceae	Central America (Mexico to Panama)	Annex D (no equivalent CITES Appendix)	Controls apply to live specimens and logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets

Species: Dalbergia granadillo Family: Leguminosae (Fabaceae) (Granadillo or Black Rosewood)	Mexico	Annex D No equivalent CITES Appendix	Controls apply to live specimens and logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets.
Species: Dalbergia nigraFamily: Leguminosae (Fabaceae) (Brazilian Rosewood)	Brazil	Annex A / Appendix I	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled.
Species: Dalbergia retusa Family: Leguminosae (Fabaceae) (Black Rosewood or Nicaraguan Rosewood)	Central America	Population of Guatemala only: Annex C/ Appendix IIIAll other populations: Annex D (no Equivalent CITES Appendix)	Controls only apply to logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets Controls for Annex D specimens apply to live specimens and logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets.
Species: Dalbergia stevensonii Family: Leguminosae (Fabaceae) (Honduras Rosewood)	Central America	Population of Guatemala only: Annex C/ Appendix IIIAll other populations: Annex D (no equivalent CITES Appendix)	Controls only apply to logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets. Controls for Annex D specimens apply to live specimens and logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets
Species: Dipteryx panamensis Family: Leguminosae (Fabaceae) (Almendro)	Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia Nicaragua	Populations of Costa Rica and Nicaragua only: Annex C / Appendix III	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled.
Species: Fitzroya cupressoides Family: Cupressaceae (Alerce)	Argentina & Chile	Annex A /    Appendix I	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled.
Species: Guaiacum spp.(All species within the genus are controlled) Family: Zygophyllaceae(Lignum-vitae)	USA and Central and South America	Annex B/ Appendix II	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from: a)    seeds and pollen; b)    finished products packaged and ready for retail trade
Species: Gonystylus spp. (All species within the genus are controlled) Family: Thymeliaceae (Ramin)	Asia	Annex B/ Appendix II	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from: a) seeds, spores  and pollen (including pollinia); b) seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; c) cut flowers of artificially propagated plants*Note: Indonesia’s export quota for finished products: mouldings, dowels, door leaf etc. =  8 000m3 for 2009
Species: Gyrinops spp. (All species within the genus are controlled) Family: Thymeleaceae (Agarwood)	Asia	Annex B Appendix II	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from: a) seeds, spores and pollen (including pollinia); b) seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; and cut flowers of artificially propagated plants
Species: Magnolia liliifera var. obovata Family: Magnoliaceae(Safan, Champak)	Nepal, India, Bhutan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia , China	Annex C / Appendix IIIListed by Nepal	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from: a) seeds, spores and pollen (including  pollinia); b) seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; and cut flowers of artificially propagated plants
Species: Oreomunnea pterocarpa Family: Junglandaceae(Gavilán)	Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama	Annex B / Appendix II	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled. apart from: a) seeds, spores and pollen (including  pollinia); b) seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; and cut flowers of artificially propagated plants Also referenced as Engelhardia pterocarpa
Species: Pericopsis elataFamily: Leguminosae (Fabaceae) (Afrormosia)	Central and West Africa	Annex B / Appendix II	Controls only apply to logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets Also referenced as Afrormosia elata.
Species: Pilgerodendron uviferumFamily: Cupressaceae (Pilgerodendron)	Argentina, Chile	Annex A / Appendix I	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled.
Species: Platymiscium pleiostachyumFamily: Leguminosae (Fabaceae) (Quira macawood)	Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua	Annex B / Appendix II	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from: a)    seeds, spores and pollen (including  pollinia); b)    seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; and c)    cut flowers of artificially propagated plants
Species: Podocarpus neriifolius Family: Podocarpaceae(Yellow wood)	Asia	Annex C / Appendix IIIIncluded on CITES by Nepal	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from:       a)    seeds, spores and pollen (including  pollinia);       b)    seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or         liquid media, transported in sterile containers and       c)    cut flowers of artificially propagated plants

Species: Podocarpus neriifolius Family: Podocarpaceae(Yellow wood)	Asia	Annex C / Appendix IIIIncluded on CITES by Nepal	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from:       a)    seeds, spores and pollen (including  pollinia);       b)    seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or         liquid media, transported in sterile containers and       c)    cut flowers of artificially propagated plants
Species: Podocarpus parlatorei Family: Podocarpaceae (Parlatore’s Podocarp)	Argentina & Bolivia	Annex A / Appendix I	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled.
Species: Pterocarpus santalinus Family: Leguminosae (Fabaceae) (Red Sandalwood)	India	Annex B / Appendix II	Controls only apply to logs, wood-chips powder and extracts
Species: Prunus africana Family: Rosaceae (African Cherry)	Africa & Madagascar	Annex B / Appendix II	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from: a)    seeds, spores and pollen (including  pollinia); b)    seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; and c)    cut flowers of artificially propagated plants
Species: Swietenia humilis Family: Meliaceae (Honduras Mahogany)	Central America	Annex B / Appendix II	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from: (a) seeds, spores and pollen (excluding pollinia) (b) seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers and (c) cut flowers of artificially propagated plants
Species: Swietenia macrophylla Family: Meliaceae (Big-leaf Mahogany)	Central and South America	Annex B / Appendix II	Controls apply to Neotropical* populations only Controls only apply to logs, sawn wood, veneer sheets and plywood  *Note: We take Neotropical populations to mean South and Central America, and the Caribbean
Species: Swietenia mahagoni Family: Meliaceae(Caribbean Mahogany)	USA Central America and Caribbean	Annex B / Appendix II	Controls only apply to logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets
Species: Taxus chinensis*                Taxus cuspidata*                Taxus fuana*                Taxus sumatrana* Taxus wallichiana Family: Taxaceae (Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Sumatran and Himalayan Yew)	Asia	Annex B Appendix II Listed on Appendix II on 12/01/2005 and on Annex B on 22/8/2005	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from:                                                                         a)seeds and pollen b)finished products packaged and ready for retail trade Taxus cuspidata – Artificially propagated hybrids and cultivars of Taxus cuspidata, live, in pots or other small containers, each consignment being accompanied by a label or document stating the name of the taxon or taxa and the text “artificially propagated”, are not subject to the provisions of this Regulation.
Species: Tetracentron sinense Family: Trochodendraceae (Tetracentaceae) (Tetracentrons)	Bhutan, China, India,  Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam	Annex C / Appendix IIIIncluded on CITES by Nepal	All parts & and items made or obtained from these species are controlled apart from: a) seeds, spores and pollen (including  pollinia); b) seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; and c) cut flowers of artificially propagated plants

Appendix 2

(RE) EXPORT/CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN PERMIT EXAMPLE

                                                Where export or re-export is to, or import is from, a State not a Party to the present Convention, comparable documentation issued by the competent authorities in that State which substantially conforms with the requirements of the present Convention for permits and certificates may be accepted in lieu thereof by any Party.

 

 

Page last modified:17 December 2008
Page published:31 January 2008

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