Guernsey is a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (commonly shortened to CITES). The aim of the Convention is to protect endangered species by controlling trade in those species by means of a system of import, export and re-export permits.
Permits are required for all CITES listed species moved into or out of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. This includes movements of CITES listed species between Guernsey and Jersey, and Guernsey and the UK. This requirement is unaffected by Brexit. Follow this link for further information.
A wide range of species are listed as endangered and include species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and plants. The Convention not only controls trade in live specimens, but also 'Animal Products' derived from living or dead animals etc, including furs skins, trophies, leather goods, coral, feathers, taxidermy, crocodile watch straps, carved wood, rhino horn, tortoise/turtle shell and ivory. Endangered species include live animals that are often kept as pets, for example parrots, tortoises and most birds of prey.
Some cat breeds of domestic cat are hybrids of wild cats which are CITES listed. For example the Bengal results from crossing a domestic cat with an Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) and the Savannah results from crossing a domestic cat with a Serval. Both the ALC and Serval are CITES listed as are all their hybrids up to 4 generations (F1 to F4) from the original cross with the wild cat. Fifth generation hybrids and higher (>F5) are considered domestic cats and are therefore exempt from CITES regulations.
Import requirements:
- A CITES import permit from the States of Guernsey.
- A CITES export or re-export permit from the authorities in the country or territory from which it will be consigned.
Export and re-export requirements:
- A CITES export permit (or re-export permit if a specimen was originally imported into Guernsey) from the States of Guernsey.
- A CITES import permit from the authorities in the country or territory from which it is to be sent.
An application form can be found in the downloads section of this page.
Please note, all animals imported into the Bailiwick of Guernsey must be pre-notified in writing to the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation. See "Animal Import Notification" for more information.
