Permits for trade in protected species

CITES permit application forms

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) helps to protect wild animals and plants (including wood) from becoming endangered by putting controls in place on their trade.

If you plan to bring a species, or a product made of a species, that is protected by CITES into (import) or out of (export) the country, you may need a CITES permit.

You must have the necessary CITES permits before you import or export items, and these permits must be checked (validated) by a border services officer at both the place of exit (items leaving the country) and place of entry (items entering the country). Permits will not be issued retroactively. If you don’t have the proper permit, border officers can hold and seize the item, and you will not be able to get a permit afterward to release it.

Do you need a permit

The first step to find out if you need a CITES permit is to determine if the item you would like to bring into or out of Canada is or contains a wildlife species that is protected under CITES, using the CITES species checklist.

Use the CITES species checklist (search tool) to find out

CITES species checklist (search tool)

When using the CITES species checklist, it is best to use the scientific name of the species. A quick internet search using the common name of the species will usually give you the scientific name.

• If your search using the CITES species checklist results in the message “does not match any taxa”, then the species is not protected under CITES, and CITES permit(s) are not required.
  • The system only recognizes the exact, correct spelling, so double check your entry.
• If the species is protected under CITES, the species checklist will display whether the species is in Appendix I (blue circle with I), Appendix II (green circle with II) or Appendix III (orange circle with III) of CITES. The Appendix it falls in will determine what permits are required for import or export.

Which permit(s) do you need?

Permits are required for the import or export of CITES-listed species in any form:

• alive or dead
• whole or in parts
• or any products or derivative made from them

Parts and derivatives can be included in items such as clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, herbal medicines, cosmetic creams and food products.

CITES Appendices determine what CITES permit(s) are required

CITES permit application forms

Trade in protected species: permit application forms

Import permit for species that are harmful to Canadian ecosystems

Some species of animals and plants may carry diseases or otherwise harm Canadian wildlife and ecosystems. These species are listed in Schedule II of the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations.

• An import permit is required to bring these species into Canada. Permit application forms can be found at Permit application forms for species subject to import restrictions - Canada.ca

Exporting from Canada

Canadian CITES permit validation

Before you export anything from Canada that is protected by CITES, your Canadian CITES permit must be checked (validated) and your shipment inspected by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at the place where it leaves the country (land, airport or seaport). This is a condition of your permit.

If your permit is not validated by the CBSA it will not be accepted. Your shipment may be held or even seized by customs in the country you are sending it to.

Validation by CBSA means that a CBSA officer must fill out box 17 labeled “For customs use only” on each permit.

Export by mail

If you send a shipment by regular mail, the CBSA will not validate or inspect it. You can hire a customs broker (for a fee), to help make sure your shipment is properly declared to the CBSA, inspected, and that your CITES permit is validated.

You can find a broker using the Canadian Society of Customs Broker membership list.

Export by courier company

If you are using a courier company, make sure that the courier company will present the export declaration and/or CITES permit to CBSA for validation and shipment inspection. As the exporter, it’s your responsibility to let the courier company know that this must be done.

Additional obligations of exporters and importers

Having a Canadian CITES permit or certificate may not be enough. In addition to holding a Canadian CITES permit or certificate, you must also get any other documentation required by Canadian or foreign laws to transport, possess, import or export the items. Some countries may have additional rules if your shipment passes through them on the way to its final destination. It is your responsibility to confirm the route taken by the company you are using to ship the item and to ensure all required documents for each country involved are completed and accompany the shipment.

Other important considerations

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) must be consulted when importing or exporting live animals or plants, as additional requirements might apply.

Special requirements also exist for trade in these species or specimens:

• North American Ginseng: exporting from Canada
• Elephant ivory and Rhinoceros horn

Submit your permit application

For more information on processing time for your permit application, please refer to Service standards and performance targets for protected species trade.

CITES Registration forms

Registration forms and information sheets for scientific institutions and captive breeding operations are available on Trade in protected species: CITES registration forms – Canada.ca.

Contact us

For general questions related to the import/export of exotic pets, tourist souvenirs, personal or household effects (including antique), or other wildlife or wildlife products, parts or derivatives, please email Environment and Climate Change Canada at ReglementsFaune-WildlifeRegulations@ec.gc.ca.

For help determining which permit application form is required, or for help completing a permit application form, please contact cites@ec.gc.ca or call 1-855-869-8670.

Related links

• Trade in protected species: permitting exemptions - Canada.ca
• Endangered species and the international traveller - Canada.ca

The information presented here is a summary of the law. If there is a discrepancy with the information presented in the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, the legislation and relevant regulations prevail.