Trade in protected species: permitting exemptions

Since January 15, 2000, Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) authorizes an exemption, in specific situations, for the importation and exportation of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed species without CITES Permits. These exemptions are specified in the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations. They apply to non commercial purposes only. The items cannot be sold or disposed of within 90 days after the date of import or export.

Canadian threatened or endangered species as listed on Schedule III of WAPPRIITA are not included in these exemptions. They still require all the necessary CITES permits.

Four exemptions are included in the Act:

1. Tourist Souvenir;
2. Personal Effect;
3. Household Effect;
4. Hunting Trophies: black bear and Sandhill crane.

In all cases, we always recommend that you contact the CITES authorities of the importing or the exporting country to find out about their own requirements.

Information Note 14 

Travelling to the United States with Eagle Items: Guidelines for Aboriginal People from Canada

1. Tourist Souvenir

Who could claim it?

All individuals entering or leaving Canada.

What is included in the exemption?

Includes: Dead plants or dead animals listed on CITES Appendix II and III including their parts and products (including bird feathers). In the case of caviar a maximum of 250 grams is permitted.

Excludes: Hunting trophies and Canadian threatened or endangered species as listed on Schedule III of WAPPRIITA. On export only, are excluded: raw, unprocessed, semi processed or simply dried specimens except feathers.

What specific conditions apply?

Item was acquired by the individual outside their ordinary country of residence during a sojourn which he is returning.

Item is part of the individual's clothing or accessories or personal accompanied baggage.

2. Personal Effect

Who could claim it?

All individuals entering or leaving Canada.

What is included in the exemption?

Includes: Plants (live or dead) and dead animals listed on CITES Appendix I, II and III including their parts and products (including bird feathers). In the case of caviar a maximum of 250 grams is permitted.

Excludes: Hunting trophies and Canadian threatened or endangered species as listed on Schedule III of WAPPRIITA.

What specific conditions apply?

Item is part of the individual's clothing or accessories or personal accompanied baggage.

Item was owned by the individual in their ordinary country of residence.

3. Household Effect

Who could claim it?

All individuals entering or leaving Canada.

What is included in the exemption?

Includes: Plants (live or dead) and dead animals listed on CITES Appendix I, II and III including their parts and products (including bird feathers). In the case of caviar a maximum of 250 grams is permitted.

Excludes: Hunting trophies and Canadian threatened or endangered species as listed on Schedule III of WAPPRIITA.

What specific conditions apply?

Item owned and possessed by the individual in their ordinary country of residence.

Item forms part of individual's household belongings being shipped to their new residence, or forms part of an inheritance from an estate.

4. Hunting Trophies: black bear and sandhill crane.

Who could claim it?

Only individuals who are residents in Canada or the USA and are entering or leaving Canada.

What is included in the exemption?

Includes for black bear: the hide, hide with paws and claws attached, skull and meat that is in a fresh, frozen or salted condition.

Includes for Sandhill crane: the carcass and meat.

Excludes for black bear: all organs are excluded.

What specific conditions apply?

Acquired and possessed by the individual through legal hunting in Canada or the US.

Taken between Canada and the US as personal accompanied baggage.