Below you will find the questions most frequently asked of CITES staff and the appropriate answers (or links that allow you to find the answers for yourself). Questions and answers have been listed under 14 topics.
Because of the length of this page, we recommend that you first check this index and select the topic that relates best to your question.
How to use the CITES Control List
Calypso
(Calypso bulbosa) Appendix II
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You must first find the scientific name (Latin name) corresponding to the common name of the plant or the animal. This Latin name can then be used to check if the species appears in CITES Appendices I, II, or III. The common name of an animal or a plant varies greatly from one country to another whereas the scientific name is the same everywhere. Usually, the scientific name on the Control List comprises two or three Latin words presented in the following order: genus, species and subspecies. By using the index at the end of the Control List (pages 46-54), one finds the scientific name corresponding to the common name of the animal or the plant.
Example :
If you want to import a Yellow-Fronted Parakeet, you must first look for the word "parakeet" in the index (p. 51). You will learn that parakeets appear on page 16. By looking in the column "English Common Name", you will find, in the column "species", the following corresponding scientific name:
Cyanoramphus (genus); auriceps (species); forbesi (subspecies)
Moreover, in the column to the right of the scientific name, you will find that your parakeet is listed in CITES Appendix I.
It is important to bear in mind that the Control List does not contain all the common names used around the world. If you do not know the scientific name, we suggest that you contact a pet shop, a breeder, a veterinarian and in the case of plants, a nursery. When in doubt, feel free to get in touch with us directly.
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Next winter, my spouse and I will be vacationing in Thailand. We would like to bring back a few orchids. How do we check if these plants are regulated by CITES? |
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All orchids are regulated by CITES. To find out the permit requirements, please consult the Control List. If your plant is listed in Appendix I, it appears on page 33, if not, it is automatically listed in Appendix II. You will find the list of the genera of orchids listed in Appendix II on pages 42, 43 and 44.
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I am a shoe manufacturer and I would like to import crocodile leather from Italy. How do I find out if this product is regulated by CITES? |
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All crocodiles and their derivatives are regulated by CITES. You should consult the Control List. The species appears on page 22 if it is listed in Appendix I; if not, it is automatically listed in Appendix II (page 39).
African Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) Appendix I
CITES Photo Gallery
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I found the scientific name on the Control List corresponding to the Christmas orchid (Cattleya trianae) but I don’t understand the meaning of the symbol "º610" appearing to the right of the scientific name.
Christmas Orchid (Cattleya trianae) Appendix I
© Dr. Kohji Karasawa
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The symbols and numbers appearing to the right of the scientific name (page 33 and pages XIX and XX) refer you to the interpretation section of the Control List. This section stipulates wether exemptions or requirements apply.
In the case of the Christmas orchid (Cattleya trianae), the symbol "º610" means that its seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, and transported in sterile containers are not subject to the provisions of the Convention. In other words, they are not regulated by CITES.
It may happen that the Control List contains more than one symbol for a species. This is the case of the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), a species in Appendix I (page 22 in the list), which includes the following symbols: "**-113". The two asterisks (**) indicate that one or more geographically isolated species appear in Appendices II or III to CITES and are excluded from Appendix I.
The symbol "-113" stipulates that it is the Saltwater Crocodile populations of Australia, Indonesia and Papua-New Guinea that are excluded from Appendix I and hence are found in Appendix II to CITES.
The same species may hold different symbols concurrently. This is the case of the wolf (Canis lupus), page 5 of the List. Indeed, this species appears twice on the Control List:
Canis lupus ** +201 Appendix I
Canis lupus * -102§ Appendix II
By referring to the Interpretation section, you will see that these symbols mean that if the country of origin of the Wolf is Bhutan, India, Nepal or Pakistan, the Wolf is then listed in Appendix I. All other wolves are listed in Appendix II.
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I would like to know if my parrot COCO is regulated by CITES. The pet shop confirmed that it was not an endangered species. African grey parrot or Psittacus erithacus is written on the bill. I do not find either of these names on the Control List. Does that mean that my COCO is not regulated by CITES? |
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The Control List tells you on page 16 that all the parrots not included in Appendix I to CITES are included in Appendix II except for three species: the Budgerigar and the Cockatiel which are not regulated and the Rose-ringed Parakeet which appears in Appendix III. The Control List also tells us that all parrots are included in the higher order Psittaciformes spp.
The African Grey Parrot or Psittacus erithacus is hence a species found in Appendix II and it is included under the name Psittacus on page 38 of the Control List.
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I am the owner of a nursery and I want to export artificially propagated cactus plants. Agriculture Canada informed me that I have to obtain a CITES permit, but I cannot find the following cactuses on the Control List: Opuntia rufida and Rebutia haagii. |
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The Control List indicates on page 29 that all cactuses not included in Appendix 1 to CITES are included in Appendix II except for some specimens propagated artificially or produced as defined in the interpretation section. Cactuses of the genus Opuntia are species listed in Appendix II. The Control List also informs us that all cactuses are included in the higher order Cactaceae spp. These two cactuses of the genus are included under the genus Opuntia on page 41 of the Control List.
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Hybrid plants or animals and CITES
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How does CITES classify a specimen that was obtained by crossing specimens mentioned in two different Appendices? |
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A specimen obtained by crossing two different species is known as a "hybrid". Hybrids are classified differently for animals and plants, as well as for the first generation and the subsequent generations.
Hybrid animals which, in their recent breeding (the last four generations), have a specimen of a species regulated by CITES are subject to the same provisions as the most restrictive pure species. In other words, a hybrid resulting the crossing of a species in Appendix I and Appendix II is considered a species in Appendix I.
Hybrid plants propagated artificially are not regulated in the same way as are hybrid animals. Indeed, a hybrid plant resulting from a cross between a species in Appendix I and in Appendix II, will be considered a species in Appendix II.
Some plant hybrids whose species appear in the appendices may even be exempted. The CITES Control List gives more information on hybrids in the Interpretation section, º608 (page XVIII).
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Laws and regulations: CITES and WAPPRIITA
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What is CITES and why is it important? |
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For a detailed answer to this question, consult the CITES in Canada section.
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When did Canada sign the CITES Convention? |
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Canada was one of the first countries to ratify the Convention, and it came into effect on July 3, 1975. For more information, consult the About CITES section.
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Which Canadian law is used to implement CITES in Canada? |
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The Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) is the legislative vehicle by which Canada meets its obligations under CITES. For more information, consult the WAPPRIITA section.
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Where can a person obtain the actual texts of CITES and/or WAPPRIITA? |
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The text can be obtained at the page of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.
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Permits other than CITES
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In addition to the CITES permits and licences, do I need to obtain other permits or documents if I want to import live plants or animals or parts or derivatives? |
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To import plants or animals (including their derivatives or parts) it may be necessary to first obtain another type of permit issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
You should also contact the department or ministry responsible for managing wildlife in your province or territory to find out its import and export requirements. Please consult the Relevant Authorities section for more information.
Moreover, many cities — by way of municipal by-laws — prohibit the keeping of exotic animals in captivity. Please check with your municipality on this subject if you plan to import an exotic animal. You can also consult Information Note No. 4 which deals with exotic pets.
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Where can I find the address of the CITES office in my province or territory? |
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This information appears in the Relevant Authorities section.
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Where can I find the address of the CITES office abroad? |
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This information may be obtained by consulting the Other Links page.
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Enforcement and WAPPRIITA
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I would like to purchase a parrot that I saw in a pet shop. Do I have to check if it was imported legally before buying it? |
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Yes. As the buyer, you should ask for details about the parrot’s origin. You should always request its birth certificate and/or a copy of the CITES permits authorizing its import into Canada. Please consult the Law Enforcement section for more information.
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I would like to purchase coral that an American producer is offering on his Web site. What do I have to do to import this coral legally? |
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First, you must obtain the scientific (Latin) name (in the Control List on page 28) of the coral and check if it is regulated by CITES. All hard corals are regulated. If it involves a CITES species, you will require a CITES export permit issued by the exporting country to import it into Canada, as all hard corals are listed in Appendix II. Always make sure that the producer can obtain the CITES permit for you before ordering your coral.
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Customs duties and regulations
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6.1 I have just obtained a CITES export permit from the United States to import furs for commercial purposes. Will I have to pay customs duties? |
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For all questions pertaining to customs duties, visit the Canada Border Services Agency Web site.
To contact an agent: from within Canada, dial 1-800-959-2036 or if you are calling from outside Canada, dial 204-983-3700 or 506-636-5067.
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I purchased artificially propagated ginseng roots and I want to mail them to my family in Hong Kong. Do I have to put the copy of the Canadian CITES export licence on the outside or the inside of the parcel? |
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American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) Appendix II
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The best way of proceeding is to go to a Canada Customs office to have validated the two original copies of the CITES export licence intended for customs (original copy # 1 for Canada Customs and original copy #2 for the customs agency of the importing country). You should then put the original copy for the foreign customs inside the parcel.
Please note that the absence of the customs seal and/or the CITES licence may result in the confiscation of your parcel.
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I have just received my CITES permit to import the piano given to me by my grandmother living in England. It appears that I received several copies of the same document. What am I supposed to do with all the copies? |
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Normally, you receive three original copies of your permit. The recipients of each of these copies are Canada Customs, foreign customs, and you (the applicant).
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Travel souvenirs, personal items (exemptions)
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I am a European tourist and I purchased a fur coat during my trip to Canada. The trim of the hood is made of wolf tail (Canis lupus, CITES Appendix II). Do I need special documents to bring this coat home with me? |
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Since January 15, 2000, Canada has applied the exemption for travel souvenirs (See Exemptions in the WAPPRIITA section). Under this exemption, you can take home travel souvenirs from species listed in CITES Appendices II or III as personal baggage or as being part of your apparel or an accessory without having to obtain a Canadian CITES permit. However, we strongly recommend that you check with the CITES authority of your country to find out their requirements at the time of importing. Please note that if you send your fur coat by mail, the exemption does not apply and you must obtain a CITES export licence.
Wolf (Canis lupus) Appendix II
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I am an American and during my vacation in Ontario, I killed a Black Bear. Do I need a permit to bring back this bear skin with me? |
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Since January 15, 2000, U.S. residents who wish to take home their Black Bear hunting trophy in a fresh, frozen or salted state after hunting are no longer required to obtain an export permit under CITES. The trophy must be part of their accompanying baggage. (See Exemptions in the WAPPRIITA section).
This exemption does not apply to naturalized trophies.
Moreover, all provincial requirements with respect to permits continue to apply and you will have to present these documents to customs. Please check with the competent provincial or territorial authorities before exporting.
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I am the owner of an outfitting establishment and I often receive European hunters. I currently have three German hunters who want to go home with their fresh Black Bear trophy (Ursus americanus). Are they covered by the exemption? Do they need a CITES export licence? |
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European hunters need a CITES licence to export their Black Bear hunting trophies (fresh or naturalized). Only American hunters can take home their fresh Black Bear trophies without a CITES permit (See Exemptions in the WAPPRIITA section). They should also contact the CITES authorities in their country to find out their import requirements.
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My mother recently passed away in Switzerland and left me the old family piano which has an ivory keyboard. I have heard that it is prohibited to import ivory objects into Canada. Should I have the ivory removed from the keys in order to be able to import the piano? What should I do? |
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Since January 15, 2000, you can request the exemption of effects for domestic use to import CITES species which you have inherited. You must report these objects to customs at the time of importing and produce a copy of the will. You do not need a Canadian CITES permit but it is possible that you may require a CITES permit of the exporting country. Please contact the foreign CITES authorities. See Exemptions in the WAPPRIITA section.
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Next month I will be vacationing in the Bahamas and I would like to know if I can bring back a few Conch shells and a few tortoise shell jewelry items as souvenirs. Do I have to obtain a permit to import them? |
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The Conch shell (Strombus gigas) is listed in CITES Appendix II (Control List p. 28). You can request the exemption for travel souvenirs (See Exemptions in the WAPPRIITA section). But keep in mind that you must bring home these shells for personal use only.
Tortoise shell jewelry comes from sea turtles which are all listed in Appendix I to CITES (Control List p. 21). To import such jewelry, you will need both a Canadian CITES import permit and a CITES export permit of the exporting country. Please note that when in doubt abroad, it is preferable to contact the local CITES authorities and Environment Canada—CITES.
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Importation / Exportation of plants
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I am moving to British Columbia and I would like to bring along a few White Lady’s Slippers (Cypripedium candidum) that are growing in the woods behind my home, in southern Ontario. Am I allowed to do so? |
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White Lady’s Slippers (Cypripedium candidum) Appendix II
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Ontario law protects this orchid. Before removing it from its habitat, please contact the Ontario authorities responsible for managing wild flora.
Note: for all interprovincial transport of wildlife and flora, always be sure to contact the provincial or territorial authorities concerned whether you are exporting or importing. |
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I want to import artificially propagated orchid hybrids listed in Appendix I from Holland. My Dutch supplier has already obtained the CITES export document. Do I also have to obtain a Canadian CITES import permit? |
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All artificially propagated hybrid orchids of Appendix I or II are treated as species listed in Appendix II. Accordingly, you only need a CITES export permit issued by the exporting country.
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I am a collector of carnivorous plants and I want to go to the United States to attend a convention on carnivorous plants. There will be participants from the four corners of the globe and they want to bring along their own plants to have them judged. I would like to bring along several plants regulated by CITES. Do I need a permit?
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You do not need to obtain a CITES permit to export or re-import your plants for personal purposes as you are covered by the personal effects exemption (See Exemptions in the WAPPRIITA section). However, you should contact the importing country to find out its requirements.
Please note that if you want to bring home new plants, you are not covered by the exemption and you will have to obtain the requisite CITES permit.
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I am a producer of ginseng and I would like to export my ginseng to China. Whom must I contact in order to obtain a CITES export permit? |
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In order to export artificially-produced ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), you will need a CITES export permit issued by Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service. Please consult the section on Ginseng and send your application to the CITES office of the Canadian Wildlife Service.
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Pets and travelling abroad
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My son owns a Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) and wants to take it with him to our apartment in Florida for the Christmas holidays and then bring it back to Canada. In addition, he plans to return to Florida with his iguana each year. Which permit does he need? |
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The Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) is listed in Appendix II to CITES. Your son can obtain a Canadian Temporary Movement Permit which will allow him to travel as many times as he wishes with his iguana. This certificate is valid for three years. He will have to obtain a similar CITES document from the United States. When the certificate expires, he will be able to apply for a renewal. Please send your application to the CITES office of the Canadian Wildlife Service.
Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) Appendix II
© Utah's Hogle Zoo
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I have a Cockatoo and I would like to take it with me when I go on vacation to Mexico this winter. Do I need a permit? |
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Yes. Before leaving Canada, you must obtain a Canadian Temporary Movement Permit. You must also check with the CITES authorities in Mexico to find out their requirements at the time of importing and re-exporting. Please send your application to the CITES office of the Canadian Wildlife Service
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I live in California and I want to cross Canada with my mobile home to go to Alaska. I would like to bring along my two Peach-faced Lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis). What must I do? |
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You have to obtain a Canadian Temporary Movement Permit and obtain a similar document from American CITES authorities. Please send your application to the CITES office of the Canadian Wildlife Service.
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I am a member of the Pottawatomi First Nation. I would like to go to the United States in order to participate in a religious and cultural gathering (powwow), in which all the members of our Nation will participate. I would like to bring my personal and religious effects, many of which contain Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus) feathers. I plan to return with all of my personal effects after the pow wow. Do I need a permit? |
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According to Canadian legislation (WAPPRIITA), you do not need a CITES permit to export and re-import your personal effects, as long as you meet all of the exemption requirements relating to personal effects. That is, you must transport those effects yourself (in your personal baggage). The effects must have been in your possession in your country of residence prior to departure. However, American legislation, Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940, does not allow Canadians to import and export items that are made from Bald Eagles (Haliaetus leucocephalus) or Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) into or out of the United States.
However, the American legislation includes certain exemptions for Aboriginal Americans and for public institutions (American or foreign). For more information, please contact the U.S. CITES Management Authority directly.
As a general rule, if you would like to go to another country, you must always check with the CITES authorities of that country, in order to find out their requirements concerning importation and re-exportation.
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Non-CITES wild species
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I hold a provincial permit authorizing me to hunt Moose. Do I need another permit if I want to take my hunting trophy back home to my country? |
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The Moose is not an animal regulated by CITES. Accordingly, you do not need a CITES licence. However, you must contact provincial and territorial authorities to find out their requirements for exporting wildlife and flora.
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I create art objects using Mallard feathers (Anas platyrhynchos). Foreign tourists occasionally buy them and want to take them home. Do they need a permit? |
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The Mallard is not a species regulated by CITES but it is a migratory bird. Migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Ordinarily, the parts of migratory birds may not be sold, and there is no provision for a permit to sell them. The Migratory Birds Regulations should be consulted for some exemptions concerning eiderdown, fishing flies, bedding, or clothing made from feathers that were lawfully acquired under the authority of another permit. The Mallard is also a migratory game bird, and the sale of their feathers for millinery or ornamental purposes is specifically prohibited. In 1995, a Protocol amending the Migratory Birds Convention provided for recognition of the limited right of aboriginal people in Canada to trade, barter, exchange or sell the inedible by-products of birds taken for dometic purposes.
To find out more, contact a regional office of Environment Canada.
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Marine species
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I would like to send relatives living in the United States a sculpted Walrus tooth that I purchased in the Northwest Territories. Do I need a CITES permit? Where can I obtain one? |
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Yes, you must obtain an export licence as Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is listed in Appendix III to CITES. You can send your application to a regional office of Fisheries and Oceans. You should contact American authorities to find out their import requirements. The United States has stricter requirements than CITES regarding the importing of marine mammals.
Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) Appendix III
In Canada, the Eastern Arctic populations are not at risk, however, the Northwest Atlantic populations have been extirpated.
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Pre-convention species
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I inherited a tiger skin that my grandfather had brought back from India. I would like to sell it. How can I prove that it was imported into Canada before 1975? |
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The Tiger (Panthera tigris) is part of CITES Appendix I. The trade in species listed in Appendix I is prohibited unless you can show that the tiger skin predates the convention. To predate the convention, the tiger must have been killed before the date on which the tiger was included in one of the three Appendices to CITES. For the majority of species, this date coincides with the date of the creation of CITES, namely July 3, 1975. To sell the skin legally, you must be able to establish the reasonable likelihood that the animal was taken from its habitat before July 3, 1975. For example, you could look for documents indicating the date of your grandfather’s trip, customs documents mentioning the importing of the skin or mention in your grandfather’s will of the date on which the article was purchased. You could also show when the article was brought into Canada if the date is mentioned in insurance policies or in the correspondence that your grandfather exchanged with other members of your family. It should be noted that all these documents should be transferred to the purchaser. Before exporting this skin, you must obtain the necessary CITES permits.
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Captive-bred species
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I am a member of an association of exotic bird breeders. I would like to trade Military Macaws (Ara militaris, Appendix I to CITES) with an Italian breeder. Is this legal? |
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Yes, provided that you obtain both that Canadian and Italian import and export permits (See the Permits section). Normally, the trade in the species mentioned in Appendix I to CITES is prohibited. However, in your case, you could export and import them if you show that the specimens were born in captivity and that you have the knowledge and facilities required to breed them. In summary, in order for a specimen to be considered born in captivity, it has to be born in captivity of parents also born in captivity (See the Conference resolution 10.16).
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Artificially-bred plants
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I grow plants as a pastime. I have succeeded in propagating Christmas orchids (Cattleya trianae, Appendix I to CITES). I would now like to sell certain plants abroad. Can I do so legally? |
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Yes. You can sell plants mentioned in Appendix I to CITES when they were propagated artificially. However, it is prohibited to sell the original plants used for propagation. CITES considers that a plant is propagated artificially when it was cultivated from seeds, cuttings, divisions, callus tissues or other plant tissues, spores or other propagules under controlled nursery conditions, that the parental population used for reproduction was acquired legally and that it is managed to guarantee its long-term preservation (See the Conference resolution 10.16).
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Bagpipes
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I have a set of bagpipes that I want to take with me on my trip to the United States and Scotland. They have ivory fittings on them and I have been told I need a CITES permit to take them with me. Can you give me more information on how to obtain this permit? |
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Since January 15, 2000, in accordance with the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations that implements CITES in Canada, we have implemented a regulation that exempts certain personal and household effects from the need to obtain CITES permits, which includes bagpipes. To travel with bagpipes, for personal use only, you must apply to the CITES Office for a Transit Certificate. Upon approval, you would be issued an "Exemption Certificate" which is valid for 3 years. However, you must still contact the CITES Management Authority of the countries you are visiting for information regarding other possible regulations for importing into their country.
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Orchids
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Next winter, my spouse and I will be vacationing in Thailand. We would like to bring back a few orchids plants. How do we check if these plants are regulated by CITES? |
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All orchids are regulated by CITES and Canadian legislation does not include any exemption for live orchids imported as tourist souvenirs. Please note that all orchids are listed in Appendix II, except the following ones that are listed in Appendix I: Aerangis ellisii, Dendrobium cruentum, Laelia jongheana, Laelia lobata, all the Paphiopedilum (Asian tropical Lady's slipper orchids), Peristeria elata, all the Phragmipedium (New World tropical lady's slippers) and Renanthera imschootiana. To find out the permit requirements, please consult the Permit requirements page of the "Permits" section. In all cases, you will need a CITES export permit from the CITES Management Authority of Thailand. Contact information for Thailand and all other CITES countries can be found at www.cites.org and clicking on "National contacts". Please note that to import the plants, it may be necessary to obtain a permit issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
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I am moving to Canada and would like to bring some potted orchids with me. Do I need any permits to do this? |
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If the plants are already owned and possessed by you, you can import them without CITES permits as part of your household belongings being shipped to your new residence, under Canada's Personal and Household Effects Exemption. However, you must still contact the CITES Management Authority of your present country of residence to find out what the requirements are for the export of potted orchids. Contact information can be found at www.cites.org and clicking on "National contacts". Please note that to import the plants, it may be necessary to obtain a permit issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
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Coral and live rock
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Are there any restrictions or permit requirements to import coral or live rock for my personal aquarium? |
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Many corals (Helioporidae, Tubiporidae, Antipatharia, Scleratinia, Milleporidae, Stylasteridae) are listed in Appendix II of CITES. This listing means that you will need to obtain a CITES export permit issued by the country of export. The company from which you are buying it (or yourself if the company refuses) would have to apply for the CITES permit and the original documents must accompany the shipment through Customs. Your supplier/exporter should contact his national CITES Management Authority for further information. A list can be found at www.cites.org on the "National contacts" section. When for your personal aquarium, coral is regulated by CITES when traded as 1) live coral transported in water, and, 2) dead coral traded in the form of coral pieces in which the structure of the polyps is still visible and intact.
"Live rock" is defined as pieces of coral rock (i.e. rock that does not contain coral or in which the coral is fossilized) to which are attached many forms of microscopic or macroscopic marine life (algae, sponges, molluscs, etc.) that live on and inside the substrate rock. In general, "live rock" is not regulated by CITES, unless organisms from CITES-listed species are attached to the substrate.
The labelling of the product is therefore very important and must identify the substrate composition and all the attached organisms on that substrate. The substrate would be controlled by CITES only where it consists of live coral (for example from the genus Scleractinia). You will also need a CITES permit if the substrate is mineral rock with CITES-listed organisms on it. However, "live rock" would not require CITES permits if the substrate and all the organisms on it are not CITES-listed. Identification of species on the accompanying documentation must be by their scientific latin names.
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