Import of a species listed in CITES Appendices

1. To issue import CITES certificate:

2. Fill out the electronic form

3. E - payment

4. Review the application and complete the procedures electronically

5. Issuing the Import CITES certificate electronically

6. To release the consignment:

7. Fill out the electronic form.

8. E- Payment.

9. Review the application and complete the procedures electronically.

10. Virtual examination and laboratory testing (if necessary).

11. Issuing the release certificate electronically.

For import species or derivatives or products listed in Appendix I:

1. A preliminary approval letter OR CITES certificate of Export or Re-Export OR letter from a breeding center in the exporting (or origin) country including the identification marks such as ring, microchip or tag (Not mandatory)

For import species or derivatives or products listed in Appendix II or III:

1. CITES Export or Re-Export certificate from the exporting country.
2. In the case of importing plants listed in Appendix II and industrially produced from countries certified by CITES, the phytosanitary certificate shall be attached indicating that the species is included in the CITES appendix as an alternative certificate for CITES certification.

In case of import to participate in exhibitions and circus, in addition to the above requirements:

1. No objection certificate from the sponsor or organization.
2. Approval of the competent authority to organize exhibitions for live animals.

Requirements for the release of a shipment containing species listed in the CITES Appendices at the port:

For Animal Species

First: General Requirements for All Animal Species Shipments:

1. CITES Export or Re-export Certificates issued by the exporting country.
2. Itinerary Statement or shipping document that details the shipment information.
3.  Customs declaration that clarifies the shipment details.

Second: Specific Requirements Based on the Type of Shipment:

For Live Animal Species (in addition to the general requirements): 

1. Certified Veterinary Health Certificate issued by the competent veterinary authorities, following the approved formats with the exporting countries.
2. Any Additional Documents, such as a Laboratory Test Certificate from a laboratory accredited by the competent authorities in the exporting country, if the exporting country requires laboratory testing at the country of origin or mandates the inclusion of test results in the health certificate.

For Animal Products or Derivatives (in addition to the general requirements):

1. For Untreated Products and By-products: A Certified Veterinary Health Certificate issued by the competent veterinary authorities, following the approved formats with the exporting countries.
2. For Treated Products and By-products: A Treatment Certificate (thermal, chemical, or salting) issued by the competent authority in the exporting country.

For plant species

First: General Requirements for All Shipments of Live Plant Species or Their Products:

1. CITES Export or Re-export Certificates issued by the exporting country.
2. Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the competent authority in the exporting country.
3. Customs manifest, Bill of Lading, or Delivery Authorization.
4. Certificate of Origin (if the country of origin is not mentioned in the Phytosanitary Certificate).
5. Packing List or Invoice.

Second: Specific Requirements Based on the Type of Shipment:

For Raw Timber Shipments (in addition to the general requirements):

1. Heat Treatment Certificate or a declaration under the additional declaration clause in the Phytosanitary Certificate.

For Processed Plant Products:

1. Only CITES Export or Re-export Certificates issued by the exporting country are required

The customer shall comply with the provisions of Law No. 11 of 2002 on the regulation of international trade in Endangered species of Fauna and Flora.

1. CITES Certificate includes a maximum four species only.
2. The CITES Import Certificate is issued for a single shipment and is used only once during its validity period.
3.  Ensure that the exporting country does not have a trade ban on the CITES website.
4. Species of live animals listed in Appendix I of the CITES Appendices should be identified using methods appropriate to their taxon, such as identification rings for birds and microchips or ear tags for other species.
5. The provisions of Ministerial Decree No. 335 of 2018 on regulating the importation of live animals, their products and their by-products and Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 on regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals and its executive regulations and its Amended shall be applied on all shipments.
6. To import caviar listed on the CITES Appendix, a caviar universal labelling system must be attached.
7. In case of import from Appendix I for commercial purposes, the breeding centers or nurseries must be registered in CITES website.
8. In case of import from a non-CITES party, a permit or certificate shall be attached from the competent authorities listed in the CITES website.
9. The provisions of veterinary and agricultural quarantine shall be applied on all shipments.
10. All consignments shall be entered through the approved border ports in the UAE and the release certificate for the veterinary and agricultural consignments shall be obtained electronically.
11. In case of transiting, unloaded and reloaded specimens in the state:

• It is not required a permit, certificate, or any other document from the ministry (Administrative Authority).
• Any specimen may be tested to verify the existence of a permit of export issued by the Administrative authority in the exporting or re-exporting State in accordance with the provisions set forth in the CITES Convention.

Additional Information:

1. Addresses of the administrative authorities for CITES parties: from here.
2. To search if the species or specimen listed in the CITES appendices: from here.