How to Apply - Trade into or out of the European Union
The EU regulations which implement the CITES Convention within the EU define international trade as any movement into or out of the block of 27 member states which make up the Union. Thus a movement of a specimen from the UK to France would not be international trade, but a movement of a specimen from UK to the United States of America would be.All documents must be issued before movements take place and you should always check the requirements of the other country.
The tables below gives a short summary of the CITES permit requirements for all listed specimens.
Moving Specimens
Moving Personal Effects and Hunting Trophies
EU Citizen
- Moving Personal Effects and Hunting Trophies into the EU Import (EU Citizens and those non-EU citizens taking up residence in the EU for specimens on Annex A)
- Moving Personal Effects and Hunting Trophies from the EU Export
Non EU Citizen
- Moving Personal Effects and Hunting Trophies into the EU Import (Non-EU Citizen)
- Moving Personal Effects and Hunting Trophies from the EU Export (Non-EU Citizen)
Moving Specimens into EU (Import)
| CITES Listing (Annex) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D |
| CITES Appendix I | CITES Appendix II | CITES Appendix III | No CITES Appendix |
| Requires an export or re-export permit from the country where it is moving from and an import permit from the EU member state of destination | Requires both an export or re-export permit from the country where it is moving from and an import permit from the EU member state of destination. These documents should be presented to Customs at point of entry to EU. |
Importers will need an export permit or a certificate of origin. They also need to obtain a self notification form from the management authority of the EU member state of final destination. They should complete this form and present to Customs at point of entry to the EU |
Importers will need to obtain a self notification form from the management authority of the EU member state of final destination. They should complete this form and present to Customs at point of entry to the EU |
Important note - a specimen may be listed on CITES Appendix II but on EU Annex A. Such cases still require a (re)-export permit from the third country of export as well as an import permit from the EU member state of destination. |
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Moving Specimens from EU (Export and Re-export)
| CITES Listing (Annex) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D |
| CITES Appendix I | CITES Appendix II | CITES Appendix III | No CITES Appendix |
| Requires either an export permit or a re-export permit from the EU member state where the specimen is located and the exporter should contact the importing country about the import requirements | Requires either an export or re-export permit from the EU MS where the specimen is located but will not usually require an import permit from the country of destination. Always check with the importing Management Authority. |
A certificate of origin – re-export permit is required depending on the country where the specimen originated – speak to case officer for advice | No documents required |
Important note - a specimen may be listed on CITES Appendix II but on EU Annex A . Such cases will require an export/re-export permit but will probably not require a permit from the country of import. |
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Personal Effects and Hunting Trophies - Moving into the EU - Import (EU Citizen)
| CITES Listing (Annex) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D |
| CITES Appendix I | CITES Appendix II | CITES Appendix III | No CITES Appendix |
An import permit is required. The derogation which allows the import of an individuals private possessions does not apply to Annex A specimens when they are introduced into the EU for the first time by a person normally residing in, or taking up residence in the EU. If however this is a re-introduction of a specimen that has already been imported into the EU, no import permit is required if proof of previous import can be provided. This could be a copy of the export /re-export permit or a copy of an EU permit stamped by customs or other proof that the specimen was legally acquired within the EU. |
No import permit is required if a copy of the export /re-export permit is presented or (for re-imported items) a copy of an EU permit stamped by customs or other proof that the specimen was legally acquried within the EU. However,the following can be imported without the need for any documents (per person):
|
No import permit required | No import permit required |
Personal Effects and Hunting Trophies - Moving from EU - Export (EU Citizen)
| CITES Listing (Annex) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D |
| CITES Appendix I | CITES Appendix II | CITES Appendix III | No CITES Appendix |
A UK export permit is required for export. For re-export you do not need a re-export permit if you can present a copy of the export /re-export permit which was presented at the time of import, or a copy of an EU permit stamped by customs, or other proof that the specimen was bought within the EU. |
A UK export permit is required for export except for the following (per person)
These can be exported without any documents. For re-export you do not need a UK re-export permit if you can present a copy of the export /re-export permit which was presented at the time of import, or a copy of an EU permit stamped by customs or other proof that the specimen was legally acquired within the EU. |
No export permit required | No export permit required |
Personal Effects and Hunting Trophies - Moving into the EU - Import (Non - EU Citizen)
'If you are taking up residence in the EU and are importing specimens on Annex A you will need to look at the table for EU citizens
| CITES Listing (Annex) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D |
| CITES Appendix I | CITES Appendix II | CITES Appendix III | No CITES Appendix |
| No import permit required. | No import permit required. | No import permit required. | No import permit required. |
Personal Effects and Hunting Trophies - Moving from EU - Export (Non - EU Citizen)
| CITES Listing (Annex) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D |
| CITES Appendix I | CITES Appendix II | CITES Appendix III | No CITES Appendix |
| A UK export permit is required for export. For re-exports, no permit is required. | A UK export permit is required except for the following:
For re-exports, no permit is required. |
No export permit required | No export permit required |
Page last modified:31 March 2008
Page published:31 March 2008