Applying for a permit for the import and export of protected plant and animal species

If you want to import or export specimens of protected animal and plant species into or from the EU, you will need a permit.

The permit requirement applies to living and dead animals and plants, and parts or products thereof.
You can also apply for the following CITES special permits:

• certificate for musical instruments,
• certificate for travelling exhibitions,
• sample collection certificate, and
• personal ownership certificate for personally owned living animals of protected species.

You must show your permit to the customs office of import or export for customs clearance under species protection laws.
You must also obtain a permit if you want to re export or re import the specimen.

Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz)
Konstantinstraße 110
53179 Bonn

Tel.: 0228 84910 (switchboard)
Fax: 0228 84919999
Email: info@bfn.de

Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz)
Fachgebiet I 1.3 (import and export of animals and plants and parts and products thereof)
Konstantinstraße 110
53179 Bonn 

Tel: 0228 84911311
Fax: 0228 84911319
Email: citesma@bfn.de

• Application form and, where applicable, a follow-up form for more than one species
• Supporting documents for applying for an import permit for living specimens
• Supporting documents for applying for an import permit for products or parts of plants or animals and for dead specimens
• Supporting documents for applying for an export permit or re export certificate for living specimens
• Supporting documents for applying for an export permit or re export certificate for products or parts of plants or animals and for dead specimens

Forms: Yes. 
Can I apply online? Yes.
Do I need to apply in writing? Yes.
Do I need to apply in person? No.

The specific requirements for obtaining a permit depend on the level of protection of the species which you want to import or export and the type of application.

• A favourable opinion of the scientific authority (not required for an application for a re export certificate).
• A copy of the export document of the exporting country when applying for an import permit.

You can apply for an import, export or re export permit in writing or online.

To apply for a permit in writing:

• Download the application and follow-up form.
• Complete and send it to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, together with the supporting documents required for the type of application in question.
• If all the requirements have been met, the permit will be sent to you by post.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection decision by post, which is subject to a fee.

To apply for a permit online:

• Visit www.cites-online.de and follow the instructions
• You will find various facilities available to you there, such as: 
  • sending supporting documents together with your electronic application,
  • a choice of payment options, and
  • local storage of the submitted application on your computer for subsequent follow-up or use as a template for new applications.
• If all the requirements have been met, the permit will be sent to you by post.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection decision by post, which is subject to a fee.

Note: If your application has been rejected, you may file an appeal within 1 month of the notification of the rejection decision. If your appeal is well founded, the decision will be remedied and the permit granted. Otherwise, an appeal decision will be issued, upholding the rejection of your application. However, you can appeal against that decision before the relevant administrative court.

• Use of import, export or re export permits: no later than the last day of validity of the documents.
• An appeal against a rejection decision must be filed within 1 month of notification.

Permit: 1 month maximum

Note: The processing time may be extended if additional information from the authorities of the country of origin or export or technical advice from experts is required.

Permit: EUR 15.00 to EUR 60.00

Note: In special cases, a fee exemption may be granted.