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Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora - CITES
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. It was signed in Washington on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975. There are now more than 170 Contracting States.
The Swiss Government is the depository of the Convention. The Secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Convention is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In order to apply this Convention, Thailand, as a member country, has to adopt national legislation which lays down penalties for offences. The legislation determines the powers of the various government services responsible for applying the Convention; in particular, it lays down the powers of Customs.
HOW DOES CITES WORK
CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All imports, exports, re-exports and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system.
The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need as shown in the table below:
| APPENDIX | CLASSIFICATION | PERMIT REQUIREMENTS |
|---|
| Appendix I | Species are threatened with extinction. | CITES Export Permit from country of export AND a CITES Import Permit from Thailand. |
| Appendix II | Species not considered threatened with extinction but may become so if their trade is not regulated.
| CITES Export Permit OR a CITES Re-Export Certificate from country of export/re-export. |
| Appendix III | Species not considered threatened with extinction, but are under special management in certain countries.
| CITES Export Permit OR a CITES Certificate of Origin. |
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR IMPORTS AND EXPORTSIn commercial business, some of your shipments may be wildlife products or even live animals or plants that are controlled by international treaties requiring special permits to export, import, and re-export the items legally.
In Thailand, Management Authorities in charge of administering that licensing system and Scientific Authorities to provide advice on the effects of trade on the status of the species are shown in the table below:
| Agencies and Address | Area of Responsibility | |
|---|
National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department
61 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak BANGKOK 10900
Tel: +66 (2) 561 48 38; 940 64 49
Fax: +66 (2) 561 48 38; 940 64 49
Email: citesthailand@yahoo.com | Fauna | |
Department of Agriculture
Plant Varieties Protection Division
International Trade of Plants
under the Conventions Sub-division
Chatuchak BANGKOK 10900
Tel: +66 (2) 940 56 87
Fax: +66 (2) 940 56 87
Email: surakrai@doa.go.th; manit@doa.go.th | Flora | |
Fisheries Resources Conservation Division
Department of Fisheries
Kasetsart University Campus
Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak
BANGKOK 10900
Tel: +66 (2) 561 31 32/3
Fax: +66 (2) 562 05 30
Email: choomjek@fisheries.go.th | Fish and other aquatic fauna | |
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND DO - Obtain CITES Permits BEFORE an import or export occurs. NOTE: CITES Permits must be presented if the marks, labels, or accompanying documentation for products you are importing/exporting claim that they contain a CITES controlled species.
- Verify that Customs VALIDATED the CITES permits at the time of export and/or import. Without validation, permits will NOT be accepted.
- Ensure all VALID CITES documents accompany the shipment. NOTE: CITES-listed wildlife may be subject to regulations by other Acts.
If CITES-listed wildlife is imported into Thailand, exported from Thailand, or attempted to be imported/exported without the necessary permits, those goods are subject to seizure and forfeiture, and the importers/exporters are liable to prosecution.
WARNING: The information in this website is intended as a general guideline only and subject to changes without prior notice. It does not in any way replace or supersede Customs and related laws or regulations. Before relying on the information on the Website, users should independently verify its accuracy, completeness and relevance for their purposes.