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

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement established to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. It implements a system of three Appendices to categorize species based on the level of protection required, utilizing a permit and certificate system managed by designated national Management and Scientific Authorities.

• The Convention categorizes species into three Appendices based on their risk level and the required trade regulation. Appendix I includes species "threatened with extinction which are or may be affected by trade," and trade in these specimens is only authorized in "exceptional circumstances." Appendix II includes species that may become threatened with extinction unless trade is strictly regulated, as well as other species regulated to ensure effective control of those in the first category. Appendix III contains species that a Party identifies as needing regulation within its own jurisdiction to prevent exploitation and requires the cooperation of other Parties.
• Trade in Appendix I species is subject to the strictest controls, requiring both export and import permits. An export permit for Appendix I species requires a Scientific Authority to advise that the export "will not be detrimental to the survival of that species" and a Management Authority to ensure the specimen was not obtained in violation of national laws. Import permits are only granted if the import is for purposes "not detrimental to the survival of the species involved" and is not for "primarily commercial purposes."
• Trade in Appendix II species requires an export permit or re-export certificate. The Scientific Authority of the exporting State must advise that the export "will not be detrimental to the survival of that species." Additionally, Scientific Authorities are tasked with monitoring exports and advising Management Authorities on measures to limit permits if a species' population needs to be maintained at a level "consistent with its role in the ecosystems in which it occurs."
• Trade in Appendix III species requires an export permit from any State that has included the species in Appendix III, provided the Management Authority is satisfied the specimen was not obtained in contravention of national laws. Importers must generally present a "certificate of origin" and, if the import is from a State that listed the species in Appendix III, an export permit.
• Parties are required to designate one or more Management Authorities to grant permits and certificates, and one or more Scientific Authorities. Parties must also take enforcement measures to "penalize trade in, or possession of" illegal specimens and provide for their "confiscation or return to the State of export."
• The Convention establishes a Secretariat, provided by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, to service meetings of the Parties, undertake scientific and technical studies, and publish current editions of the Appendices. The Conference of the Parties meets at least once every two years to review implementation and adopt amendments to Appendices I and II by a "two-thirds majority of Parties present and voting."

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (1973). Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CITES.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. 1973. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CITES.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora |date=3 March 1973 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CITES.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrights1973convention, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {1973}, month = mar, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CITES.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }