Import or Export Endangered Species: Apply for CITES Permits and Certificates in China

Publication date：2024-06-06

There are criminal offences associated with moving or trading endangered species if you do not have a valid permit or certificate. According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Wild Animal Protection Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Import and Export of Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora, and other relevant regulations, it is prohibited to trade, carry, or mail endangered species and their products across borders without legally holding an import and export permit or species certificate.

1. What is an Endangered Species?

An endangered species is any species whose wild population is at a high risk of extinction shortly due to intrinsic factors, the impact of human activities, or natural disasters.

In a broad sense, endangered species encompass rare or precious wild flora and fauna. From the perspective of wildlife management, endangered species refer to those listed in the CITES appendices and those under national and local critical protection.

In a narrow sense, endangered species face the threat of extinction due to factors such as overhunting, poaching, habitat destruction, low population numbers, or restricted habitats.

2. What Are Commonly Imported Endangered Species in China?

Commonly imported endangered species include:

Common Endangered Plants:

Common Endangered Animals:

Panax quinquefolius（西洋参）

Prionace glauca（大青鲨）

Aquilaria sinensis（土沉香）

Acipenser naccarii（纳氏鲟）

Cyathea medullaris（髓桫椤）

Acipenser baerii（西伯利亚鲟）

......

3. How to Determine if Exported Products to China Involve Endangered Species?

Ensure that the imported and exported plant and animal products and their components are verified against the Catalogue for the Import and Export of Endangered Species.
Compare with the Appendices of CITES, the List of National Key Protected Wild Plants, and the List of National Key Protected Wild Animals. If these items are not listed in these relevant directories, it can be determined that they do not involve endangered species.

4. How Can Endangered Species Export to China?

Under the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Import and Export of Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora, those wishing to import or export endangered species and their products must apply to the agricultural (fishery) department of the local government at the provincial, autonomous region, or municipal level, or to the State Forestry Administration, depending on the authority. Once the applicant obtains the import and export approval documents from the State Wild Fauna and Flora Administration, they must then apply for the import and export permit certificate from the national endangered species import and export management agency within the validity period specified in the approval documents.

5. Case Studies

Case 1:

A company imports skincare products containing Cyathea medullaris extract and has commissioned ZMUni to apply for CITES Permit for Import and Export for Cyathea medullaris extract, which is listed in Appendix II of the CITES.

Case 2:

A client purchased a batch of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) from Canada and has commissioned ZMUni to handle theCITES Permit for Import and Export. Panax quinquefolius is listed in Appendix II of CITES.

Case 3:

A company imports cosmetics containing Prionace glauca extract and has commissioned ZMUni to handle multiple CITES Permit for Import and Export for Prionace glauca extract, which is listed in Appendix II of CITES.

Case 4:

An import-export company is importing a batch of cosmetics containing Siberian sturgeon caviar extract and has commissioned ZMUni to handle theCITES Permit for Import and Export before importation. The permit was successfully processed in early May 2024. Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) is listed in Appendix II of CITES.