CITES Permits for Exotic Pets: What International Travellers Need to Know
Most people relocating with dogs and cats do not encounter CITES. But if your companion animal is a parrot, tortoise, chameleon, monitor lizard, iguana, or any other non-domestic species, there is a reasonable chance it is covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – and moving it internationally without the right permits is a criminal offence in most countries.
What CITES Is
CITES is an international treaty with 183 signatory countries. It regulates international trade in specimens of species that are threatened or may become threatened. “Trade” in CITES terms includes non-commercial movement – relocating your own pet counts.
Species are listed in three appendices:
| Appendix | Status | Permits Required |
|---|---|---|
| I | Threatened with extinction | Export permit + import permit (non-commercial) |
| II | Not threatened but regulated | Export permit (import varies by country) |
| III | Locally protected in some countries | Certificate of origin / export permit |
Common Pet Species That Are CITES-Listed
| Species | CITES Status |
|---|---|
| African Grey Parrot | Appendix I |
| Blue-fronted Amazon | Appendix II |
| Most other Amazon species | Appendix II |
| Eclectus Parrot | Appendix II |
| Cockatoos (most species) | Appendix I or II |
| Hermann’s Tortoise | Appendix II |
| Russian Tortoise | Appendix II |
| Spur-thighed Tortoise | Appendix II |
| Chameleons (most species) | Appendix II |
| Monitor Lizards (most species) | Appendix II |
| Ball Python | Appendix II |
| Green Iguana | Appendix II |
How to Apply for CITES Permits
Step 1: Confirm your animal’s species and CITES status
- Use the CITES species database at cites.org
- If in doubt about the species identification, get written confirmation from a vet or zoologist
Step 2: Apply for an export permit from your country of origin
- UK: APHA CITES team (gov.uk)
- USA: US Fish and Wildlife Service
- EU: National CITES Management Authority of the member state
Step 3: Obtain an import permit from the destination country
- Required for Appendix I species
- Optional but often required in practice for Appendix II
Step 4: Carry original permits with you
- CITES permits must be originals; photocopies are not accepted at border inspection
Application Timelines
CITES permit applications take 3-6 months for Appendix I species in some jurisdictions. Start early. Applications require documentation of legal acquisition – captive breeding certificates, original purchase receipts, and in some cases DNA testing or ring numbers.
If You Do Not Have a Permit
Attempting to move a CITES-listed species across an international border without permits can result in:
- The animal being confiscated
- Criminal prosecution
- Significant fines
Do not improvise or assume permits are not needed. Check first.
Sources: CITES official website (cites.org); APHA CITES permit guidance; US Fish and Wildlife Service CITES import/export information. Data current as of June 2026.