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Protected plant and animal species; application for import and export permits

Do you want to import or export live or dead animals and plants, or parts or products with components thereof? If these fall under the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), you will need a permit.

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Bundesamt für Naturschutz

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Konstantinstraße 110
53179 Bonn

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Konstantinstraße 110

53179 Bonn

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www.bfn.de/

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Procedure details

The permit requirement applies to live and dead animals and plants listed in CITES as well as parts or products with components thereof.

You can also apply for the following CITES special permits:

  • Certificate for musical instruments,
  • Certificate for traveling exhibitions,
  • sample collection certificate and
  • travel certificate for pets of protected species

and

  • Exemption permit in accordance with the Habitats Directive (FFH) or the Birds Directive

You must present the issued permit to the import or export customs office for customs clearance under species protection law.
You also need a permit if you wish to re-export or re-import the specimen.
Special requirements for the permit depend on

  • the degree of protection of the species you wish to import or export and
  • the type of application.

The specific requirements for the permit depend on the degree of protection of the species you wish to import or export and the type of application.

  • You must be able to present a positive opinion from the scientific authority
    • This is not required when applying for a re-export certificate.
  • When applying for an import permit, you will need a copy of an export document from the exporting country.
  • You need a user account for the CITES online portal.

  • Required document/s
    • Application form and, if applicable, follow-up form for more than one species
    • Supporting documents for the import permit application for live specimens
    • Supporting documents for the application for an import permit for products or parts of plants or animals and for dead specimens
    • Supporting documents for the application for export permit or re-export certificate for live specimens
    • Supporting documents for the application for the export permit or re-export certificate for products or parts of plants or animals and for dead specimens

You can apply for an import, export or re-export permit online or by post or email by scanning the signed application.

If you are applying for a permit online:

  • Go to the website of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation "citesantrag.bfn.de" and follow the instructions.
  • In addition to registration, various additional services are available to you there, for example
    • the sending of verification documents together with the online application,
    • selecting the payment method and
    • saving the submitted application in your account for later processing and creating templates for new applications.
  • If all the requirements for approval have been met, you will be sent this by post.
  • If your application is rejected, you will receive a fee-based rejection notice by post.

If you apply for approval by post or e-mail:

  • Download the application form at "citesantrag.bfn.de" or https://www.bfn.de/genehmigungen-und-bescheinigungen.
  • Fill it out and send it to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation by post or scan it together with the supporting documents required for the type of application.
  • If all the requirements for the permit have been met, it will be sent to you by post.
  • If your application is rejected, you will receive a notification of rejection by post for a fee.

The fees are based on various factors, such as the number and type of certificates, the time required and the like. Under "Further information" you will find a link with detailed information on the calculation of fees.

Applications for a permit must be submitted to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation in good time before the planned transfer. Please note that the statutory processing period is four weeks if all requirements are met. Applications for live animals must be submitted six weeks before the planned transport if possible.

  • If all requirements are met, the statutory processing period is 4 weeks.
  • If additional documents have to be requested or information obtained, this period may be extended. You will then receive a corresponding interim notification.

The following information is available:

Protected animal and plant species

The easiest way to find out whether a species is protected or not is to use the relevant databases, such as the WISIA species database or the international CITES database Species+. Here you can enter the scientific species name and obtain information on the protection status of the species.

Dealing with species protection documents after receipt

Please check your species protection permit for completeness and accuracy of the information upon receipt. Multiple use of the permit/certificate is not possible. Each permit issued can only be used once during its period of validity.

Unused species protection documents

After expiry of the validity period, you are obliged to return all copies of the permit/certificate to us without being asked.

Loss of species protection documents

The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) must be informed immediately in writing of the loss of a document, stating the facts of the case.

Other regulations that may need to be observed

  • Nagoya Protocol
  • Veterinary law
  • Pharmaceutical law
  • Invasive alien speciesCustoms law,
  • Timber Trade Regulation
  • Regulation on deforestation-free supply chains

  • Appeal
  • Action before the administrative court.

Status: 21.01.2024
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit
Source: Federal Portal