Wildlife trade

Permits and forms

Wildlife import and export permit information and forms

Applying for and using a permit

Permit application forms and fees

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR EXPORTERS OF WILDLIFE PRODUCTS

PERMITS ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE - Permit holders (particularly holders of multiple use permits) are reminded that permits are NOT transferable, unless specifically authorised by the department.

Find out more about the procedures:

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR EXPORTERS AND EXPORTER AGENTS: EXPORT PROCEDURES

All goods, regardless of value, that require a wildlife permit for export must be reported to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service on an export declaration prior to being loaded or exported (this includes items being exported via mail).

Find out more about the procedures:

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR EXPORTERS OF CORALS

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities wishes to advise that permits are not required for the export of non–CITES listed Australian native coral species where they are harvested from commercial fisheries approved under the EPBC Act. Permits will still be required for the export of CITES–listed corals and exporters should ensure acceptable taxonomic names are used.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ON CHANGES TO PERMIT PROCESS. Effective July 2010

The requirements for multiple use import and re-export permits have changed to bring the process of obtaining a permit in line with Australia's national environment law.

There are no changes to multiple use export permits.

The changes mean that to receive a multiple use import permit, you will need to submit all CITES export/re-export permits for all shipments to be covered by that permit.

For multiple use re-export permits, the changes mean you will now need to submit the original export/re-export permit, as well as the Australian import permit for each shipment intended for re-export.

There is a new application form which must now be used for all multiple use permit applications.

Do you need a permit?

Australia strictly controls the international movement of wildlife, wildlife specimens and products made or derived from wildlife.

When you need a permit

You will need a permit under national environment law to:

If you do not obtain the relevant Australian export or import permit you may be breaking the law, and this may lead to the item being seized. Please be aware that retrospective permits cannot be issued for specimens that have already arrived or departed Australia.

When you don't need a permit

You do not need a permit to:

Please note that permits may be required from other government agencies such as the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). You should ensure that you contact all relevant agencies before you import or export a wildlife specimen or product.

Commercial or Non–commercial?

For non-commercial trade in live Australian native animals, native specimens and CITES–listed specimens such as research, education, exhibition or conservation breeding programs.

For commercial trade (such as buying and selling of plants and animals or items made from them).

Internationally endangered plants and animals

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) helps to ensure that international trade does not threaten species with extinction, protecting of species of animals and plants.

CITES places species into three appendices based on their conservation status and risk from trade.

Get permits before importing or exporting

Because retrospective permits are not issued, it is important you get a permit before importing or exporting.

Note: There are special requirements when exporting to the United States of America (USA).

Types of permits available

Single Use Permits are available for most transactions for an A$30 application fee. They are valid for a single specified consignment, for a period of up to three years (six months in the case of CITES specimens). Single Use Permits for the export or import of live specimens (including household pets) that require a welfare assessment are available for an A$150 application fee. More about Single Use Permits.

Multiple Use Permits are available in most circumstances for an application fee of A$75 per six-month period. They authorise an unlimited number of consignments of a particular range of specimens, for a period of up to three years (six months in the case of CITES specimens). For each individual consignment, the permit holder can complete a specimen export record or import notification form describing the consignment. Specimen export records are accepted by importing countries as valid and original export documents. More about Multiple Use Permits.

Personal baggage permits are available, for a fee of A$1 for the export of CITES Appendix II specimens in accompanied baggage for personal use. They are often ordered by manufacturers and wholesalers of tourist souvenirs, for supply 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 via mail and/or freight—a valid CITES permit will be required for items that are not personally accompanied. More about CITES specimens as personal effects.

Testing permits are available for some scientific purposes for an A$150 fee. They are valid for six months. More about Testing permits.

Pre–CITES (or pre–Convention) certificates certify that a CITES specimen was acquired before the application of CITES to the species in question, and so is exempt from normal permitting requirements. There is no fee for a pre–CITES certificate. More about Pre–CITES certificates.

Certificates of origin certify that a CITES Appendix III specimen was acquired in Australia, and so is exempt from normal permitting requirements. There is no fee for a certificate of origin. More about certificates of origin.

All applicable fees are charged in relation to the application process and will not be refunded if the application is unsuccessful.

Statistical information on import and export permits for wildlife specimens

Certain information (excluding any personal or company details) on permit applications and decisions is available upon request. Enquiries may be forwarded to wildlifetrade@environment.gov.au .

Note that reports on Australia's trade in CITES-listed specimens are submitted annually to the CITES Secretariat, as required under Article VIII of the Convention. The data in these reports are maintained by the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre and available from the CITES Trade Database .

See also

In this section:

Permit applications and forms

Wildlife trade permits

See also:

Protection of internationally endangered plants and animals

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Last updated: Friday, 03-May-2013 11:26:58 EST