International Commercial Shipments?

...avoid contributing to the illegal trade in endangered species.

Many species of animals and plants are in danger of extinction because of habitat loss and commercial exploitation.

In commercial business, some of your shipments may be wildlife products or even live animals or plants that are controlled by international treaties requiring special permits to export or import the items legally.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international treaty that protects endangered and threatened species of animals and plants from over-exploitation by regulating their international trade.

Environment Canada is the federal government department responsible for administering and enforcing CITES. In Canada, CITES is implemented through the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA).

Some medicine and food products contain parts of CITES protected plants and animals.

How does CITES work?

CITES operates through an import/export permit system. Animals and plants are classified into one of three appendices depending on their severity of endangerment. All species controlled under the convention and their appendix listing are found in the CITES Control List, which is updated approximately every two years. Updated copies are available from your regional Environment Canada office.

When an animal or plant is listed under CITES, it includes not only live specimens, but also any part, derivative or by-product of that species.

Many plants, including all Cacti, Orchids and American Ginseng, are protected.

Many reptiles and amphibians are also protected.

 CITES and Your Business - What you need to
 know and do.

	Obtain CITES Permits BEFORE an import or export occurs. NOTE: CITES Permits must be presented if the marks, labels, or accompanying documentation for products you are importing/exporting claim that they contain a CITES controlled species. Environment Canada can prosecute on label information.
	Verify that Customs or the federal department of authority VALIDATED the CITES permits at the time of export and/or import. Without validation, permits will NOT be accepted. Also, a copy of the permit will be retained by Canada Customs and will be forwarded to Environment Canada for compliance purposes.
	Ensure All VALID CITES documents accompany the shipment. NOTE: CITES-listed wildlife may be subject to regulations by other Acts of Parliament or provincial and territorial legislation. Other government agencies should be contacted, particularly the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) when importing or exporting live animals or plants.
	Advise Environment Canada of wildlife imports IN ADVANCE, to speed the inspection process.
	Comply with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regulations and the CITES Guidelines for Transport and Preparation for Shipment of Live Wild Animals and Plants when shipping live specimens.
	Removal Notices may be issued by Environment Canada for WAPPRIITA infractions. Within a specified period of time you must remove goods from Canada at your expense.
	Important: Non CITES-listed species may be regulated under laws or treaties of specific countries or provinces. Be sure to check with the trading parties and obtain the appropriate permits before trading occurs. Under WAPPRIITA it is an offence to transport illegally obtained wildlife between provinces and territories or between Canada and other countries.

Remember, your efforts TRULY make you a partner in worldwide wildlife conservation.

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For information on CITES, Control Lists, WAPPRIITA, and Permits, contact Environment Canada offices at:

Web site: www.cites.ec.gc.ca

For further information consult
Customs Memorandum D19-7-1
and Environment Canada,
Wildlife Enforcement Division.

Aussi disponible en francais.
Catalogue No. EN40-515/1996E
ISBN 0-662-24435-4
Revised March, 2002

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