Crocodiles
Importing or exporting crocodile specimens
Crocodilians
Crocodilians include all alligators, caimans, crocodiles, gavials and other members of the order Crocodylia. These species’ leather is highly sought after by the fashion industry. Crocodilian specimens are also traded as meat and hunting trophies.
All crocodilian species have been included in CITES Appendix I or II
All crocodilian species have been included in CITES Appendix I or II in response to the decline in some wild populations as a result of unregulated international trade. Some more common crocodilian species are included in Appendix II because they are so difficult to distinguish from more endangered species. Both Australian native species of crocodile are included in CITES Appendix II.
Exports—general requirements
Exports of live native crocodilian specimens for personal or commercial purposes are not permitted. Exports of live non–native crocodilian specimens are only permitted under certain circumstances.
You will generally need a permit to legally export crocodilian specimens.
A permit may be issued for the export of crocodilian specimens for personal purposes, unless the specimens are live, listed on CITES Appendix I, or have been acquired or kept illegally.
A permit may be issued for the export of crocodilian specimens for commercial purposes if they are derived from an approved source such as a captive breeding program, wildlife trade operation or wildlife trade management plan:
- Western Australia and the Northern Territory have approved state level wildlife trade management plans in place.
- Queensland has an approved captive breeding licensing regime in place.
You will need a re–export permit to export crocodilian specimens that have been legally imported into Australia. The permit will be subject to any conditions legally imposed at the time of import.
Imports—general requirements
You will generally need a permit to legally import crocodilian specimens:
- If the specimens are CITES Appendix II listed species, you must get an export permit from the exporting country's CITES management authority before applying for an Australian import permit. You will need a copy of the export permit to support the import permit application.
You will need a permit to import live crocodilian specimens listed under Part 2 of list of specimens suitable for live import. Please note that live crocodilian specimens cannot be imported as household pets.
State governments may impose additional restrictions on the import of live animals.
Special permits and exemptions
You do not need a permit to legally export or import up to four manufactured crocodilian products in accompanied baggage for personal purposes. But to help customs clearances, you can obtain a personal baggage permit for personal exports from Australia.
You may export non–live specimens of CITES Appendix II listed species as personal effects in accompanied baggage under a personal baggage permit. These are often ordered by manufacturers and wholesalers of tourist souvenirs and supplied at point of sale. You will need to complete some fields on the reverse side of these permits at the time of export. Please note that personal baggage permits do not apply to items sent out of Australia by mail or freight—a valid CITES export permit will be required for items that are not personally accompanied.
You may export or import specimens of CITES–listed species acquired before the provisions of CITES applied to that species under a pre–CITES certificate issued by the CITES management authority of the country of export.
Customs and quarantine
Exports and imports of wildlife and wildlife products may also be subject to regulation under the Customs Act 1901 (administered by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service ) and the Quarantine Act 1908 (administered by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service ).
See also
Export and import guides
- How to export and import CITES plants and animals
- CITES specimens as personal effects
- Butterfly specimens
- Caviar
- Complementary medicines
- Crocodiles
- Elephant products
- Hoodia
- Hunting trophies
- Online (Internet) shopping
Wildlife trade regulation
Exports and imports of plants and animals (including products) may be subject to regulation under the following legislation:
EPBC Act 1999
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Customs Act 1901
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
Quarantine Act 1908
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service