U.S. Fish & Service Understanding CITES CITES Appendix III

What is CITES Appendix III? Appendix-III , the ­Management the , you must present valid Authority in the country of export need CITES documentation to the appropri- only determine that the specimens were ate U.S. ­authorities when your shipment not obtained in ­contravention of that enters the United States. country’s laws for the protection of ani- mals and plants. In contrast, the export of specimens of an Appendix-II species requires that the CITES authorities in the country of export determine that the specimens were acquired legally and that their export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species.

Florida Softshell , Appendix III What do the country annotations mean for Andrea Westmoreland, CC BY-SA 2.0 Appendix-III species? In the CITES list, each ­Appendix-III The Convention on International Trade species listing includes an annotation , Appendix III in of Wild Fauna showing the name of a country (in some Dan Irizarry, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 and Flora (CITES) is a treaty aimed cases more than one country). The anno- at protecting species at risk from If your specimens came directly from tation indicates the specific country that a country that has listed the species in ­international trade. Appendix III is a list listed the species in Appendix III. of wildlife and plant species identified ­Appendix III, you must present a CITES by particular CITES member countries export permit issued by the Management The annotation signifies that a CITES ­Authority of that country. (Parties) as being in need of international export permit must accompany a speci- trade controls. men exported directly from the coun- If your specimens came directly from a try that listed that species. A CITES country that has not listed the species in What does Appendix III do? ­certificate of origin is required from all It helps a Party gain ­international co- Appendix III, you must present a CITES other exporting countries unless the list- certificate of origin issued by the Man- operation in controlling trade in certain ing is restricted to specific populations. native wildlife and plant species that agement Authority of that country. are subject to the laws and regulations Can Appendix-III species be imported to of that country; allows international If your specimens came from a country of the United States? re-export, you must present a CITES re- trade in species listed in Appendix III Yes. To import Appendix-III species into with CITES documents; and provides a export certificate issued by the Manage- means of gathering trade data and other ment Authority of that country. relevant information to assist the CITES Management Authority in a country Can Appendix-III species be exported or or region in determining the impact, re-exported from the United States? if any, of international trade on native Yes. To export or re-export Appendix-III ­populations. species from the United States, you must obtain documentation from us to give to How does Appendix III differ from authorities of the importing country. Appendix II? A species is unilaterally listed in If the United States has listed the spe- ­Appendix III by a country in the native cies in Appendix III, you must obtain a range of that species, at the request of CITES export permit from us. that country. In contrast, a species is listed in Appendix I or II by a vote of the If another country has listed the spe- Parties. cies in Appendix III, you must obtain a Alligator Snapping Turtle, Appendix III CITES certificate of origin from us. For the export of specimens of an Gary M. Stolz, USFWS If you are re-exporting your specimens, Currently, the United States has listed How will I know if my wildlife or plant is you must obtain a CITES re-export cer- the (Cryptobranchus al- listed in any of the CITES Appendices? tificate from us. leganiensis), alligator snapping turtle You may access the CITES Appendices on (Macroclemys [=Macrochelys] tem- the Secretariat’s website (www.cites.org). How do I obtain appropriate mincki) and all species of map turtle ­documentation for CITES-listed species? (Graptemys spp.) in Appendix III. To apply for a U.S. CITES document, you must complete a standard ­application Effective November 21, 2016, an ad- form and submit it with a processing ditional four native freshwater turtle fee. Visit the Service’s permits website, species will be listed in Appendix III, http://www.fws.gov/international/per- including the mits/, for more information. (Chelydra serpentina), Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox), smooth softshell To apply for a CITES document from turtle (Apalone mutica) and spiny softs- another country, you must contact their hell turtle (Apalone spinifera). Management Authority. You can obtain names and addresses of other countries’ The (Odobenus rosmarus), listed Management Authority offices from us or by , is another Appendix-III spe- access the national contacts page on the cies native to the United States. CITES Secretariat’s website (www.cites. org). Key non-native Appendix III spe- cies commonly traded to and from the What kinds of wildlife and plants are United States include the antelope covered by Appendix III? (Tragelaphus eurycerus) listed by Gha- Over 140 animal species and approxi- na, and Russell’s viper (Daboia russellii) mately 120 plant species are currently listed by . listed in Appendix­ III.

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