Endangered Species (CITES)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was formulated to regulate and monitor the trade in endangered species. CITES works by placing controls on international trade in specimens of CITES-listed species.
The following plants and species may be subject to CITES, as well as any products manufactured from them, for example, jewellery, ornaments, carvings, feathers and so on. This list is not exhaustive:
- aloes (except aloe vera)
- birds (including birds of prey, storks, cranes, bustards, owls, hummingbirds, hornbills, birds of paradise, parrots and parrot allies)
- cactus
- cats (except domestic cats)
- caviar
- crocodiles and alligators
- cycads
- elephants (including ivory products)
- euphorbias
- giant clams
- hard coral (including black coral and coral found on the beach)
- orchids
- primates
- queen conch
- scorpions
- snakes
- swallowtail and birdwing butterflies
- tarantulas
- tortoise and turtles
- traditional Chinese medicines containing musk or saussurea
- whales and dolphins.
The
Department of Conservation is the management authority responsible for administering CITES in New Zealand, while Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are responsible for monitoring and enforcing CITES trade documentation at the border.
If you are considering importing any wildlife, or wildlife derivative or product, you must obtain any necessary permits from the Department of Conservation prior to importation. If CITES permits are not produced at time of importation, the items will be confiscated and cannot be returned to the importer under any circumstances.