The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) sets controls on movement of animal and plant species that are, or may be, threatened due to excessive commercial exploitation.

Any import, export or re-export of CITES-listed species has to be authorized through a permitting system. The permitting requirements for importing or exporting vary depending on which appendix the species is listed on.

CITES export applications for marine species are now processed by the Catch Certification Program: Operations Centre. Import permit requests and export permit requests for terrestrial species are still processed by Environment Canada.

CITES Updates

Pre-Convention Exemptions:

• Pre-Convention items need formal documentation to prove that the item was harvested prior to 1975. We are now requesting one of the following documents when you are applying for a permit to export a Pre-Convention item:
  • Sales Receipt
  • A will
  • A signed affidavit
• This will ensure that the items are fully traceable and appropriately fall within the exemption.

Permits

• 2013 CITES permits will have a new and improved look and enhanced security features. Applications are currently being revised to better serve all clients.

Introduction from the Sea (IFS)

• Introduction from the Sea applications will be released in 2013. The term Introduction from the Sea means the “transportation into a State of specimens of any species which were taken in the marine environment not under the jurisdiction of any State”.

Please direct CITES applications to the following address:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Attn: CITES Permit Officer
Catch Certification Program: Operations Centre
Resource Management Directorate
P.O. Box 99
Tignish, PE
C0B 2B0

For CITES inquiries, please contact our CITES Permit Officer at the contact information below.
Telephone: (902)-775-7147
E-mail: CCO-BCC_Info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

For CITES Appendices, resolutions, and other important information please visit www.cites.org

To access the application form, and other useful links, please visit Environment Canada's CITES page.