How to verify CITES compliance for restricted materials

If you use materials derived from endangered plants or animals—such as rosewood, mahogany, reptile skins, or ivory—you must verify if they are protected under CITES before buying or selling them across international borders. Failing to secure the correct permits from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) can result in your goods being seized at the border, significant fines, and potential legal action.

What is CITES?

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement designed to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. In the UK, these rules are strictly enforced, especially following Brexit, as trade between Great Britain and the EU now requires the same CITES documentation as trade with the rest of the world.

Step 1: Identify your materials

Start by auditing every material you use. While some are obvious, others are hidden. Common materials in the creative industries include:

• Timber: Brazilian Rosewood (common in musical instruments), certain types of Mahogany, and Ebony.
• Animal products: Alligator or snake skins, certain feathers, coral, and shells.
• Vintage items: Antique ivory, tortoiseshell, or "worked" items made before 1947.

Step 2: Check the protection level

Species are categorised into three "Appendices" based on how much protection they need. You can check your materials using the Species+ database or the UK government's CITES checklist.

Appendix	Level of Protection	Trade Requirement
Appendix I	Threatened with extinction.	Trade is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
Appendix II	Not necessarily threatened, but trade must be controlled.	Requires an export permit or re-export certificate.
Appendix III	Protected in at least one country.	Requires certificates of origin or export permits.

Step 3: Obtain necessary permits

If you intend to import materials into the UK or export your finished work to customers abroad, you must apply for a permit through the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

1. Apply early: Permits can take up to 30 days to process, so do not ship your items until you have the physical paperwork in hand.
2. Pay the fee: There is usually a charge for each application (e.g., around £37 for an import or export permit).
3. Commercial Use: If you are selling an Appendix I item within the UK, you may also need an "Article 10 Certificate" to prove it was legally acquired.

Tip: Always ask your suppliers for a "CITES declaration" or proof of legal origin. If a supplier cannot provide documentation for a restricted wood or skin, do not buy it; you will be unable to legally sell your finished product internationally later.

Best Practices

• Label clearly: When shipping permitted items, ensure the CITES permit is attached to the outside of the parcel in a clear envelope so customs officers can find it easily.
• Check "worked" items: If you are selling antiques (items made before 1947), different rules apply. You may still need to register the item, particularly if it contains ivory, under the UK Ivory Act.
• Digital records: Keep a digital folder with all your CITES permits and supplier invoices. This is your "paper trail" should you ever be audited by HMRC or Border Force.