Published in 2025 / Updated in 2026
If you have an exotic animal or a wild animal taken from the street, there is a risk that it may be on the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) list.
This usually includes birds (almost all types of parrots, except for the budgerigar, ring-necked parrot, cockatiel and rose-cheeked lovebird), reptiles, wild animals (hedgehogs, squirrels, foxes, etc.). You can read about how to travel with birds here.
This list is aimed at ensuring that international trade in wild animals, insects, reptiles and birds does not harm their survival.
For those pets that are on this list, in addition to the basic documents, a CITES export permit and a CITES import permit are required.
There are three appendices to the CITES lists, which vary in the level of threat posed by international trade and the CITES controls applied.
Appendix I / Annex I
This is a list of those species that are threatened with extinction and are given the highest level of CITES protection. Commercial trade in these species is not permitted and non-commercial trade is strictly controlled.
A CITES export permit and a CITES import permit from the competent authority of the country of destination are required.
Appendix II / Annex II
This is a list of those species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but trade in them must be controlled to avoid the species becoming endangered.
A CITES export permit and an import permit from the competent authority of the country of destination are also required.
Appendix III / Annex III
This is a list of those species that are protected in at least one country and that country has asked other CITES countries for assistance in controlling trade in protected animals.
A certificate of origin and a CITES export permit are required.
Here you can find out if your pet is on the CITES list. Just enter the name of the pet species in Latin on this site.
To obtain a CITES export permit, you must have the following documents:
- A completed application form from the regulations;
- A purchase and sale or gift agreement together with an act of acceptance and transfer of the animal (you must be listed as the owner of the animal), or a sales receipt from the store;
- An animal’s pedigree or an extract from the herd book at least to the second generation (parents and grandparents), or CITES import permits to your country obtained for the animal’s parents and grandparents;
- A receipt for payment of the state duty;
- In addition, they may request a preliminary CITES import permit to the destination country or a letter from the competent authority of the destination country.
To obtain a CITES import permit to the destination country, you must contact the competent authority of the destination/exit country.
CITES contacts in your country can be found here.
The decision on issuing an export permit is made by the CITES scientific body within 25 working days. Additional documents may be requested during the issuance decision. A refusal to issue a permit can be appealed.
The completed permit is valid for six months.
It is MANDATORY to put a mark in the CITES permit during veterinary control and customs control upon entry into the destination country! Otherwise, it will be considered that you are importing contraband, which can be confiscated and you can be held accountable!
More details on the official CITES website
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