Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

Document type: Multilateral
Field of application: Global
Date: Mar 3, 1973
Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-000483)

Title abbreviation: CITES
Title (French): Convention sur le commerce international des espèces de faune et de flore sauvages menacées d'extinction
Title (Spanish): Convención sobre el Comercio Internacional de Especies Amenazadas de Fauna y Flora Silvestres
Title (Other): Übereinkommen über den internationalen Handel mit gefährdeten Arten freilebender Tiere und Pflanzen
Place of adoption: Washington
Depository: Switzerland
Language: Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish
Entry into force: Jul 1, 1975
Subject: Wild species & ecosystems
Keyword: Inventory Wild flora Authorization/permit Endangered species Certification Biodiversity International trade Protected plant species Protected animal species Wild fauna Wildlife products Management/conservation Offences/penalties International agreement-text Trade in species

Abstract

Objective: To protect certain endangered species from over-exploitation by means of a system of import/export permits.

Summary of provisions: This Convention covers animals and plants whether dead or alive, and any recognisable parts or derivatives thereof (art. 1). Appendix I covers endangered species, trade in which is to be tightly controlled; appendix II covers species that may become endangered unless trade is regulated; appendix III covers species that any Party wishes to regulate and requires international cooperation to control trade while appendix IV contains model permits. Permits are required for species listed in appendices I and II stating that export/import will not be detrimental to the survival of the species (arts. 3 and 4).

(Source: IUCN ELC, 08.2005, based on UNEP Register of International Treaties and Other Agreements in the Field of the Environment, 1996)

Comment

Regulates international trade in wild animals and plants and readily recognizable parts or derivatives thereof; lists species which are subject to such trade controls in three appendices; provides that Appendix I shall include all species threatened with extinction which are or may be affected by trade; provides that Appendix II shall include all species which although not necessarily now threatened with extinction may become so unless trade in specimens thereof is subject to strict regulations, as well as species that are similar in appearance to these species; provides that Appendix III shall include the species which have been identified by individual Parties as requiring the cooperation of other Parties for the purpose of controlling their trade; requires the grant and presentation of import and export permits for trade in Appendix I specimens; requires the grant and presentation of export permits for the trade in Appendix II and III specimens; lays down conditions for the grant of such permits; provides for exemptions from the Convention requirements in some limited cases; requires Parties to prohibit trade in specimens in violation of the Convention; lays down rules relating to the disposal of confiscated specimens; requires Parties to designate one or more scientific authorities to advise on the issue of permits and one or more management authorities to grant permits and certificates; also establishes a Conference of the Parties and a Secretariat.

Full text

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Website

www.eda.admin.ch
www.cites.org

Online course

Introductory Course to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Country/Territory/Participant

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Countries	Entry into force	Ratification *	Simple signature
Afghanistan	Jan 28, 1986	Oct 30, 1985 [2]	-
Albania	Sep 25, 2003	Jun 27, 2003 [2]	-
Algeria	Feb 21, 1984	Nov 23, 1983 [2]	-
Angola	Dec 31, 2013	Oct 2, 2013 [2]	-
Antigua and Barbuda	Oct 6, 1997	Jul 8, 1997 [2]	-
Argentina	Apr 8, 1981	Jan 8, 1981 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Armenia	Jan 21, 2009	Oct 23, 2008 [2]	-
Australia	Oct 27, 1976	Jul 29, 1976 [1]	Sep 21, 1973
Austria	Apr 27, 1982	Jan 27, 1982 [2]	-
Azerbaijan	Feb 21, 1999	Nov 23, 1998 [2]	-
Bahamas	Sep 18, 1979	Jun 20, 1979 [2]	-
Bahrain	Nov 17, 2012	Aug 19, 2012 [2]	-
Bangladesh	Feb 18, 1982	Nov 20, 1981 [1]	Aug 7, 1973
Barbados	Mar 9, 1993	Dec 9, 1992 [2]	-
Belarus	Nov 8, 1995	Aug 10, 1995 [2]	-
Belgium	Jan 1, 1984	Oct 3, 1983 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Belize	Sep 21, 1981	Aug 19, 1986 [4]	-
Benin	May 28, 1984	Feb 28, 1984 [2]	-
Bhutan	Nov 13, 2002	Aug 15, 2002 [2]	-
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)	Oct 4, 1979	Jul 6, 1979 [1]	Dec 23, 1974
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Apr 21, 2009	Jan 21, 2009 [2]	-
Botswana	Feb 12, 1978	Nov 14, 1977 [2]	-
Brazil	Nov 4, 1975	Aug 6, 1975 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Brunei Darussalam	Aug 2, 1990	May 4, 1990 [2]	-
Bulgaria	Apr 16, 1991	Jan 16, 1991 [2]	-
Burkina Faso	Jan 11, 1990	Oct 13, 1989 [2]	-
Burundi	Nov 6, 1988	Aug 8, 1988 [2]	-
Cabo Verde	Nov 8, 2005	Aug 10, 2005 [2]	-
Cambodia	Oct 2, 1997	Jul 4, 1997 [1]	Dec 7, 1973
Cameroon	Sep 3, 1981	Jun 5, 1981 [2]	-
Canada	Jul 9, 1975	Apr 10, 1975 [1]	Jul 2, 1974
Central African Republic	Nov 25, 1980	Aug 27, 1980 [2]	-
Chad	May 3, 1989	Feb 2, 1989 [2]	-
Chile	Jul 1, 1975	Feb 14, 1975 [1]	Sep 16, 1974
China	Apr 8, 1981	Jan 8, 1981 [2]	-
Colombia	Nov 29, 1981	Aug 31, 1981 [1]	Jun 4, 1973
Comoros	Feb 21, 1995	Nov 23, 1994 [2]	-
Congo	May 1, 1983	Jan 31, 1983 [2]	-
Congo, Dem. Rep. of	Oct 18, 1976	Jul 20, 1976 [2]	-
Costa Rica	Sep 28, 1975	Jun 30, 1975 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Croatia	Jun 12, 2000	Mar 14, 2000 [2]	-
Cuba	Jul 19, 1990	Apr 20, 1990 [2]	-
Cyprus	Jul 1, 1975	Oct 18, 1974 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Czech Republic	Jan 1, 1993	Apr 14, 1993 [4]	-
Côte d'Ivoire	Feb 19, 1995	Nov 21, 1994 [2]	-
Denmark	Oct 24, 1977	Jul 26, 1977 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Djibouti	May 7, 1992	Feb 7, 1992 [2]	-
Dominica	Nov 2, 1995	Aug 4, 1995 [2]	-
Dominican Republic	Mar 17, 1987	Dec 17, 1986 [2]	-
Ecuador	Jul 1, 1975	Feb 11, 1975 [1]	Dec 12, 1974
Egypt	Apr 4, 1978	Jan 4, 1978 [2]	Jun 7, 1974
El Salvador	Jul 29, 1987	Apr 30, 1987 [2]	-
Equatorial Guinea	Jun 8, 1992	Mar 10, 1992 [2]	-
Eritrea	Jan 22, 1995	Oct 24, 1994 [2]	-
Estonia	Oct 20, 1992	Jul 22, 1992 [2]	-
Eswatini, Kingdom of	May 27, 1997	Feb 26, 1997 [2]	-
Ethiopia	Jul 4, 1989	Apr 5, 1989 [2]	-
European Union	Jul 8, 2015	Apr 9, 2015 [2]	-
Fiji	Dec 29, 1997	Sep 30, 1997 [2]	-
Finland	Aug 8, 1976	May 10, 1976 [2]	-
France	Aug 9, 1978	May 11, 1978 [3]	Mar 3, 1973
Gabon	May 14, 1989	Feb 13, 1989 [2]	-
Gambia	Nov 24, 1977	Aug 26, 1977 [2]	-
Georgia	Dec 12, 1996	Sep 13, 1996 [2]	-
Germany	Jun 20, 1976	Mar 22, 1976 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Ghana	Feb 12, 1976	Nov 14, 1975 [1]	Dec 16, 1974
Greece	Jan 6, 1993	Oct 8, 1992 [2]	-
Grenada	Nov 28, 1999	Aug 30, 1999 [2]	-
Guatemala	Feb 5, 1980	Nov 7, 1979 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Guinea	Dec 20, 1981	Sep 21, 1981 [2]	-
Guinea-Bissau	Aug 14, 1990	May 16, 1990 [2]	-
Guyana	Aug 25, 1977	May 25, 1977 [2]	May 27, 1977
Honduras	Jun 13, 1985	Mar 15, 1985 [2]	-
Hungary	Aug 27, 1985	May 29, 1985 [2]	-
Iceland	Apr 2, 2000	Jan 3, 2000 [2]	-
India	Oct 18, 1976	Jul 20, 1976 [1]	Jul 9, 1974
Indonesia	Mar 28, 1979	Dec 28, 1978 [2]	-
Iran, Islamic Republic of	Nov 1, 1976	Aug 3, 1976 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Iraq	May 6, 2014	Feb 5, 2014 [2]	-
Ireland	Apr 8, 2002	Jan 8, 2002 [1]	Nov 1, 1974
Israel	Mar 17, 1980	Dec 18, 1979 [1]	-
Italy	Dec 31, 1979	Oct 2, 1979 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Jamaica	Jul 22, 1997	Apr 23, 1997 [2]	-
Japan	Nov 4, 1980	Aug 6, 1980 [3]	Apr 30, 1973
Jordan	Mar 14, 1979	Dec 14, 1978 [2]	-
Kazakhstan	Apr 19, 2000	Jan 20, 2000 [2]	-
Kenya	Mar 13, 1979	Dec 13, 1978 [1]	Apr 30, 1973
Korea, Republic of	Oct 7, 1993	Jul 9, 1993 [2]	-
Kuwait	Nov 10, 2002	Aug 12, 2002 [1]	Apr 9, 1973
Kyrgyzstan	Sep 2, 2007	Jun 4, 2007 [2]	-
Lao, People's Dem. Rep.	May 30, 2004	Mar 1, 2004 [2]	-
Latvia	May 12, 1997	Feb 11, 1997 [2]	-
Lebanon	May 26, 2013	Feb 25, 2013 [2]	-
Lesotho	Dec 30, 2003	Oct 1, 2003 [1]	Jul 17, 1974
Liberia	Jun 9, 1981	Mar 11, 1981 [2]	-
Libya	Apr 28, 2003	Jan 28, 2003 [2]	-
Liechtenstein	Feb 28, 1980	Nov 30, 1979 [2]	-
Lithuania	Mar 9, 2002	Dec 10, 2001 [2]	-
Luxembourg	Mar 12, 1984	Dec 13, 1983 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Madagascar	Nov 18, 1975	Aug 20, 1975 [1]	Apr 4, 1973
Malawi	May 6, 1982	Feb 5, 1982 [2]	-
Malaysia	Jan 18, 1978	Oct 20, 1977 [2]	-
Maldives	Mar 12, 2013	Dec 12, 2012 [2]	-
Mali	Oct 16, 1994	Jul 18, 1994 [2]	-
Malta	Jul 16, 1989	Apr 17, 1989 [2]	-
Mauritania	Jun 11, 1998	Mar 13, 1998 [2]	-
Mauritius	Jul 27, 1975	Apr 28, 1975 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Mexico	Sep 30, 1991	Jul 2, 1991 [2]	-
Moldova, Republic of	Jun 27, 2001	Mar 29, 2001 [2]	-
Monaco	Jul 18, 1978	Apr 19, 1978 [2]	-
Mongolia	Apr 4, 1996	Jan 5, 1996 [2]	-
Montenegro	Jun 3, 2006	Mar 26, 2007 [4]	-
Morocco	Jan 14, 1976	Oct 16, 1975 [1]	Mar 9, 1973
Mozambique	Jun 23, 1981	Mar 25, 1981 [2]	-
Myanmar	Sep 11, 1997	Jun 13, 1997 [2]	-
Namibia	Mar 18, 1991	Dec 18, 1990 [2]	-
Nepal	Sep 16, 1975	Jun 18, 1975 [2]	-
Netherlands	Jul 18, 1984	Apr 19, 1984 [1]	Dec 30, 1974
New Zealand	Aug 8, 1989	May 10, 1989 [2]	-
Nicaragua	Nov 4, 1977	Aug 6, 1977 [2]	-
Niger	Dec 7, 1975	Sep 8, 1975 [1]	Mar 5, 1973
Nigeria	Jul 1, 1975	May 9, 1974 [1]	Feb 11, 1974
North Macedonia	Oct 2, 2000	Jul 4, 2000 [2]	-
Norway	Oct 25, 1976	Jul 27, 1976 [1]	Dec 23, 1974
Oman	Jun 17, 2008	Mar 19, 2008 [2]	-
Pakistan	Jul 19, 1976	Apr 20, 1976 [2]	-
Palau	Jul 15, 2004	Apr 16, 2004 [2]	-
Panama	Nov 15, 1978	Aug 17, 1978 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Papua New Guinea	Mar 11, 1976	Dec 12, 1975 [2]	-
Paraguay	Feb 13, 1977	Nov 15, 1976 [1]	Apr 30, 1973
Peru	Sep 25, 1975	Jun 27, 1975 [1]	Dec 30, 1974
Philippines	Nov 16, 1981	Aug 18, 1981 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Poland	Mar 12, 1990	Dec 12, 1989 [1]	Oct 8, 1973
Portugal	Mar 11, 1981	Dec 11, 1980 [1]	Dec 6, 1974
Qatar	Aug 6, 2001	May 8, 2001 [2]	-
Romania	Nov 16, 1994	Aug 18, 1994 [2]	-
Russian Federation	Dec 8, 1976	Sep 9, 1976 [1]	Mar 29, 1974
Rwanda	Jan 18, 1981	Oct 20, 1980 [2]	-
Saint Kitts and Nevis	May 15, 1994	Feb 14, 1994 [2]	-
Saint Lucia	Mar 15, 1983	Dec 15, 1982 [2]	-
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Feb 28, 1989	Nov 30, 1988 [2]	-
Samoa	Feb 7, 2005	Nov 9, 2004 [2]	-
San Marino	Oct 20, 2005	Jul 22, 2005 [3]	-
Sao Tome and Principe	Nov 7, 2001	Aug 9, 2001 [2]	-
Saudi Arabia	Jun 10, 1996	Mar 12, 1996 [2]	-
Senegal	Nov 3, 1977	Aug 5, 1977 [2]	-
Serbia	May 28, 2002	Feb 27, 2002 [2]	-
Seychelles	May 9, 1977	Feb 8, 1977 [2]	-
Sierra Leone	Jan 26, 1995	Oct 28, 1994 [2]	-
Singapore	Feb 28, 1987	Nov 30, 1986 [2]	-
Slovakia	Jan 1, 1993	Mar 2, 1993 [4]	-
Slovenia	Apr 23, 2000	Jan 24, 2000 [2]	-
Solomon Islands	Jun 24, 2007	Mar 26, 2007 [2]	-
Somalia	Mar 2, 1986	Dec 2, 1985 [2]	-
South Africa	Oct 13, 1975	Jul 15, 1975 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Spain	Aug 28, 1986	May 30, 1986 [2]	-
Sri Lanka	Aug 2, 1979	May 4, 1979 [2]	-
Sudan	Jan 24, 1983	Oct 26, 1982 [1]	Apr 27, 1973
Suriname	Feb 15, 1981	Nov 17, 1980 [2]	-
Sweden	Jul 1, 1975	Aug 20, 1974 [1]	Apr 3, 1973
Switzerland	Jul 1, 1975	Jul 9, 1974 [1]	Apr 2, 1973
Syrian Arab Republic	Jul 29, 2003	Apr 30, 2003 [2]	-
Tajikistan	Mar 30, 2016	Dec 31, 2015 [2]	-
Tanzania, Un. Rep. of	Feb 27, 1980	Nov 29, 1979 [1]	Apr 30, 1973
Thailand	Apr 21, 1983	Jan 21, 1983 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Togo	Jan 21, 1979	Oct 23, 1978 [1]	Mar 7, 1973
Tonga	Oct 20, 2016	Jul 22, 2016 [2]	-
Trinidad and Tobago	Apr 18, 1984	Jan 19, 1984 [2]	-
Tunisia	Jul 1, 1975	Jul 10, 1974 [1]	Mar 21, 1973
Turkey	Dec 22, 1996	Sep 23, 1996 [2]	-
Uganda	Oct 16, 1991	Jul 18, 1991 [2]	-
Ukraine	Mar 29, 2000	Dec 30, 1999 [2]	-
United Arab Emirates	May 9, 1990	Feb 8, 1990 [2]	-
United Kingdom	Oct 31, 1976	Aug 2, 1976 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
United States of America	Jul 1, 1975	Jan 14, 1974 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Uruguay	Jul 1, 1975	Apr 2, 1975 [1]	Jan 9, 1974
Uzbekistan	Oct 8, 1997	Jul 10, 1997 [2]	-
Vanuatu	Oct 15, 1989	Jul 17, 1989 [2]	-
Venezuela, Boliv. Rep. of	Jan 22, 1978	Oct 24, 1977 [1]	Mar 3, 1973
Viet Nam	Apr 20, 1994	Jan 20, 1994 [2]	-
Yemen	Aug 3, 1997	May 5, 1997 [2]	-
Zambia	Feb 22, 1981	Nov 24, 1980 [2]	-
Zimbabwe	Aug 17, 1981	May 19, 1981 [2]	-

* [1] Ratification [2] Accession/approbation [3] Acceptance/approval [4] Succession [5] Consent to be bound [6] Definite signature

References - Treaties

Amended by: Amendment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Art.XI)

Treaty | Multilateral | Bonn | Jun 22, 1979

Keyword: Wild fauna, Protection of species, Protected plant species, Institution, Wild flora, Trade in species, International relations/cooperation, Certification, International trade, Protected animal species, Wildlife products, Authorization/permit, International organization, Offences/penalties, Biodiversity, Inventory, Management/conservation, Endangered species, Dispute settlement

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-001033); Amendment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Art. XXI)

Treaty | Multilateral | Gaborone | Apr 30, 1983

Keyword: Wild fauna, Protection of species, Protected plant species, Institution, Wild flora, Trade in species, International relations/cooperation, Certification, International trade, Protected animal species, Wildlife products, Authorization/permit, International organization, Offences/penalties, Biodiversity, Inventory, Management/conservation, Endangered species, Dispute settlement

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-001098)

Cited by: Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region

Treaty | Multilateral | Kingston | Jan 18, 1990

Keyword: Fishing gear/fishing method, Environmental planning, Wild fauna, Waste disposal, Wildlife products, Ecosystem preservation, Exploration, Protected area, Hunting/capture, EIA, Wild flora, Endangered species, Trade in species, Hunting gear/hunting methods, Biodiversity, Alien species, International relations/cooperation, Protection of habitats, Monitoring, International agreement-text, Public participation, Marine protected areas, Marine pollution, Data collection/reporting, Education, Policy/planning, Marine area, Navigation

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-001040); Agreement for the Establishment of the International Organisation for the Development of Fisheries in Eastern and Central Europe (EUROFISH)

Treaty | Multilateral | Copenhagen | May 23, 2000

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-001383); Memorandum of Understanding concerning Conservation Measures for the West African Populations of the African Elephant

Treaty | Multilateral | Nov 22, 2005

Keyword: Biodiversity, Data collection/reporting, Migratory species, Protection of habitats, Protected animal species, Management/conservation, Endangered species, International agreement-text, Policy/planning, Stock enhancement/repopulation, Research, Wild fauna, Mammals, Monitoring, Protection of species

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-144933); Protocol Agreement on the Conservation of Common Natural Resources

Treaty | Multilateral | Khartoum | Jan 24, 1982

Keyword: Wild flora, Protection of habitats, Stock enhancement/repopulation, Hunting/capture, Wild fauna, International relations/cooperation, Trade in species, Certification, Protection of species

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-000772); Lusaka Agreement on Co-operative Enforcement Operations directed at Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora

Treaty | Multilateral | Lusaka | Sep 8, 1994

Keyword: Wild fauna, Wildlife products, Data collection/reporting, Management/conservation, National implementation/transposal, Wild flora, International trade, Trade in species, International relations/cooperation, International agreement-text

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-001197)

Other references

Treaty decisions: 467 decisions related to this treaty. View decisions

Literature: 454 records related to this treaty. View literature

Jurisprudence: 3 jurisprudence related to this treaty. View jurisprudence

Country/Territory/Participant

References - Treaties

Amendment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Art.XI)

Amendment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Art. XXI)

Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region

Agreement for the Establishment of the International Organisation for the Development of Fisheries in Eastern and Central Europe (EUROFISH)

Memorandum of Understanding concerning Conservation Measures for the West African Populations of the African Elephant

Protocol Agreement on the Conservation of Common Natural Resources

Lusaka Agreement on Co-operative Enforcement Operations directed at Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora

Other references