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The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) helps to protect thousands of the earth's species of wild animals and plants by regulating the international movement and trade of these species.
If you are planning a hunting trip, you should be aware of the permits you need to import your hunting trophy into Canada or to export it from Canada.
What permits do I need to bring a hunting trophy back to Canada?
Appendix I trophy:
Animals listed in Appendix I of CITES are those threatened with extinction and needing the most protection. To bring a hunting trophy of an Appendix I species into Canada, you need both a CITES export permit from the exporting country and a Canadian CITES import permit. These documents must be obtained before export, and must accompany the shipment and be presented at Canada Customs at the Canadian port of entry.
You should apply for the Canadian CITES import permit before hunting takes place as there is no guarantee that you will be granted a Canadian CITES import permit to allow you to import a trophy into Canada if you apply after the hunt. Each application is studied on its own merit, considering the conservation status of the species in question at the time your application is reviewed. If granted, CITES import permits are valid for six months - please take that period into consideration when planning your safari, especially if taxidermy work is done abroad.
Applications for a Canadian CITES permit to import an Appendix I trophy into Canada must be accompanied by:
- a CITES export permit from the exporting country or an approval-in-principle in writing indicating that one will eventually be issued;
- a copy of the hunting permit issued in your name;
- a copy of the certification authorizing you to hunt on private land if this applies;
- the CITES quota number where such is required; examples are for the leopard (Panthera pardus) and African elephant (Loxodonta africana).
Appendix II or III trophies:
To bring a hunting trophy of an Appendix II or III species back to Canada, you need a CITES export permit from the exporting country. Apply for this permit immediately after the animal is killed or, if the trophy undergoes taxidermy, after the trophy is finished. To obtain this permit, you will need to provide copies of your hunting permit and hunting register and any other document showing that you have legally hunted the animal. The Canadian CITES Management Authority can provide the addresses in most foreign countries where you can apply for this permit or preferably, please visit the National contacts section of the CITES Secretariat's Website
What permits do I need to export a hunting trophy from Canada?
To export a hunting trophy of a CITES-controlled species out of Canada, you will need a Canadian CITES export permit. You can apply for this permit at the provincial or territorial (except Alberta Saskatchewan and Quebec in which case you need to apply with the Management Authority) wildlife agency in the province or territory in which you hunt. The export permit must accompany the shipment and be presented at Canada Customs for validation at the Canadian port.
If the hunting trophy is a CITES Appendix I species, you will also need to apply for a CITES import permit from the country to which you intend to import the trophy. In most cases, the Canadian CITES Management Authority can also provide you with the foreign address to which you can apply for this permit or again please visit the CITES Secretariat Website at the address indicated above. This permit must accompany your application for the Canadian CITES export permit.
Are there any exemptions to these permit requirements?
Residents of Canada and the United States do not need a CITES export permit to export a black bear or sandhill crane hunting trophy from Canada to the United States or to import such trophies from the United States to Canada. The trophy must be in a fresh, frozen or salted condition, acquired and possessed through legal hunting in Canada or the U.S. and taken between Canada and the U.S. as personal accompanied baggage. See Information Note Export of Black Bear and Sandhill Crane Hunting Trophies for additional information.
Do the permit requirements apply to older trophies?
The permits described above are also needed if you wish to export or import an older trophy. Your application for a permit should be accompanied by information about the origin of the trophy, as well as copies of all CITES permits that were previously issued for this trophy.
Application forms and additional information can be obtained from www.cites.ec.gc.ca or:
CITES Management Authority
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada
3rd Floor, Place Vincent Massey
351 St. Joseph Blvd.
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3
Telephone: 819-997-1840
Telefax: 819-953-6283
email: cites@ec.gc.ca
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