How to Apply - Commercial Use
The commercial use within the EU of any specimen which is listed in EC Regulation 318-2008 is prohibited unless:
- The regulation exempts them eg. Artificially propagated plants, antiques, or specimens of certain bird species
- They have an Article 10 certificate allowing commercial use.
‘Specimen’ includes live or dead plants and animals including any parts eg. eggs, feathers, blood, semen, wood etc.
‘For imports and (re) exports you will need to check any specific requirements with the other intended country. You can find out their contact details here.
You should also check whether there is a trade ban with the country or the species you wish to trade with. You can use the WCMC Species Database for this, check the country here or check import bans and negative opinions here.
You only need a certificate if a specimen is to be used for commercial purposes; this includes sale, keeping for sale, display and breeding for sale. You do not need a certificate simply to possess an Annex A CITES specimen or to give it away.
To apply for an Article 10 certificate, you need to complete an application form FED1012.
Your application for an Article 10 certificate needs to be supported by the following documents:
- For imported specimens, an HM Customs and Revenue-stamped copy of, or the number of, the original import permit.
- If the sale of the specimen has been authorised before, the original (yellow) copy of the previous Article 10 certificate.
- Some other documentary evidence, such as a licence to remove the specimen from the wild, or a letter or affidavit confirming that the specimens were bred in captivity, or imported or legally obtained in some other way.
- The fullest possible details of the origin of the specimen and, if it was bred in captivity, details of its parents and the breeder. If you regularly breed specimens, you only need to quote the parents’ certificate numbers.
Live Annex A vertebrates will need to be marked with a close ring or microchip.
Further information on the commercial controls can be found in the guidance for the commercial use (GN2)
Page last modified:03 March 2007
Page published:31 January 2007