Any person who requires a CITES permit or certificate for the import, export or re-export a CITES-listed species (live, dead, parts, products and derivative) of animal or plant may apply to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA). CITES controls apply to transactions undertaken by commercial organizations, scientific institutions, zoos, tourists, migrants and the general public. The application for a CITES permit is subject to the terms and conditions for the CITES permit application.
Please familiarise yourself with the following before you apply for a new CITES Import, Export, Re-export Permit.
If you are submitting the supporting documents online, please get them ready in soft copy format. Alternatively, you may submit them offline (i.e. via fax, over the counter).
If you have any queries, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Please call any CITES officers should you require further clarification or assistance.
| Tel No. |
| 62270670 |
| 63257646 |
| Question |
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| How do I apply for a CITES permit? | |
| Answer |
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| Application for a CITES permit can be done online via our website at www.ava.gov.sg or at the self-service computer terminal located at our office at 5, Maxwell Road, Tower Block MND Complex #02-03, Singapore 069110. | |
| Question |
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| What do I need to submit? | |
| Answer |
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You are required to submit the following:
For import:
1. A copy of the CITES export or re-export permit from the exporting country
For export/re-export:
1. Supporting documents such as letter of transfers, import permits, etc;
2. A copy of the CITES import permit from the importing country (for export/re-export of CITES App-I specimens only);
3. A copy of the CITES export/re-export permit from the exporting country (for re-export of CITES App-I and II specimens);
4. A copy of the CITES export permit or Certificate of Origin (for re-export of CITES App-III specimens only) | |
| Question |
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| How soon can my application be processed? | |
| Answer |
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| The usual time taken for processing an application with all required fields and supporting documents submitted is 2 working days. Any incomplete or incorrect submission may delay the processing time or may render the application to be rejected. | |
| Question |
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| How much does the CITES permit cost and for how long is it valid? | |
| Answer |
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| Each CITES permit costs SG$12 per species subject to a minimum of SG$60. For commercial consignment of manufactured products (eg. crocodile leather handbags), each CITES permit costs SG$27. The CITES permit is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance and may be extended for another 3 months provided that the permit has not expired. Each permit is valid for one consignment only. The permit is valid for use only if the species and description of specimen(s) on the permit matches the consignment. For live animals, the specimen(s) must be transported in accordance with the IATA regulations. | |
| Question |
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| Can I get my permit sooner and how much would it cost? | |
| Answer |
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| Applications for CITES permits that are to be processed and approved on the same working day that AVA receives the application or request will be considered as an “express service”. A surcharge that is equivalent to the cost of the permit will be imposed. | |
| Question |
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| Is an inspection required and what would it cost? | |
| Answer |
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| All import, export and re-export consignments of live animals are subject to inspection. Inspection fees will be charged when inspections are done outside of office premises. The fees for inspection is SG$63 per hour during office hours and SG$133 per hour outside office hours. | |
| Question |
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| What happens if I need to make amendments to my application after I have submitted my application? | |
| Answer |
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| If you need to make amendments to your application after submission, you can either fax your letter of request to the CITES Section at fax: 63257646 or call any of the CITES officers at tel: 62270670 to inform them of the change. Please note that no charge would be imposed if the amendment is made before issuance of the permit. | |
| Question |
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| What happens if I need to make amendments after I’ve collected my permit? | |
| Answer |
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| It is the onus of the applicant to ensure that all information submitted is correct and accurate. However, if amendments are required after the permit has been printed and issued, a service charge of $8.50/request will be imposed. Please note that only the “Consignee/Consignor” and “Quantity” fields can be amended. All requests for amendments must be accompanied by a letter of request from the applicant to be sent to the Wildlife Regulatory Branch, CITES Section either by fax or by post. | |
| Question |
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| Who can I contact for more information? | |
| Answer |
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| For further details, you may contact any of the Wildlife Regulatory Branch, CITES officers at tel: 62270670 or fax: 63257646. Our office is located at: 5, Maxwell Road, Tower Block MND Complex, #02-03, Singapore 069110. |
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1. All import/export/re-export must be in compliance with CITES and AVA’s regulations.
2. Applicant must comply with the requirements or conditions imposed by the importing country.
3. Applicant is to ensure that the correct documentation accompanies the outgoing consignment.
4. The original permit or certificate must accompany the shipment.
5. AVA reserves the right to reject an application if the information provided in the application is false or is not in accordance with our re-export regulations.
6. All unused or expired certificates or permits must be returned to the Wildlife Regulatory Branch at 5, Maxwell Road, Tower Block MND Complex, #02-03, Singapore 069110.
7. All carbon copies of the certificates or permits must be returned to the Wildlife Regulatory Branch at 5, Maxwell Road, Tower Block MND Complex, #02-03, Singapore 069110.
8. No refund would be catered for any unused or expired certificate or permit.
9. Applicant must agree and comply with the terms and conditions for certificate application before proceeding with any application.
10. AVA has the right to amend any existing conditions and/or impose further conditions as and when it deems necessary.
a. Definition of CITES
“CITES” is the acronym for the Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species of Wild Fauna And Flora. It is an international agreement to ensure that trade ceases to threaten wildlife with extinction. Singapore became a signatory to CITES in 1986 and regulates trade in endangered species through a system of permits.
b. Definition of CITES Species
“CITES Species” means any species of animal or plant, dead or alive or parts, products and derivatives which is listed in any of the CITES Appendices – CITES Appendix I, II, or III.
c. CITES Appendix I
CITES Appendix I lists highly endangered species with are threatened with extinction. Commercial import/export is not allowed. Movement of these species may be authorized under certain circumstances (eg. zoos, research institutions, museums, universities, etc).
d. CITES Appendix II
CITES Appendix II includes species, which may become endangered if trade in these species is not regulated. Trade is allowed if specimens are accompanied by proper and valid CITES permits.
e. CITES Appendix III
CITES Appendix III species are not considered endangered but are under protection in certain countries. They can be traded with a Certificate of Origin, export permit or re-export certificate.
f. Definitions of import, export and re-export
“Import” means to bring into Singapore by land, sea and air, any specimen from another foreign country.
“Export” means to take out of Singapore by land, sea and air, any specimen that originates from Singapore.
“Re-export” means export of any specimen that has previously been imported into Singapore.
g. Permittee, Consignor/Consignee
Complete name and address, including the country of the permittee, consignor/consignee must be stated.
“Permittee” refers to the applicant or person or company who is importing, exporting or re-exporting the specimen(s).
For import, “consignor” refers to the overseas person or company who is exporting or re-exporting the specimen(s) to Singapore.
For export/re-export, “consignee” refers to the overseas person or company who is the importing or receiving party for the specimen(s) from Singapore.
h. Purpose
The following codes should be used – T for commercial, Z for zoos, G for botanical gardens, Q for circuses and traveling exhibitions, S for scientific purposes, H for hunting trophies, P for personal, M for medical, E for education, N for reintroduction or introduction into the wild and B for breeding in captivity or artificial propagation, L for law enforcement / judicial / forensic
i. Scientific name and common name
Indicate the scientific or Latin name (genus and species, and subspecies, where applicable) of the animal or plant as it appears in the CITES Appendices and the common name of the animal or plant as known in the country issuing the permit.
j. Description and markings
Describe, as precisely as possible, the specimen(s) entering trade (eg live animals, plants, skins, seedlings, wallets, shoes, etc). If the specimen is marked (eg tags, identifying marks, rings, etc), indicate the number and type of mark. For captive-bred dragon fish and birds, applicant may attach additional tag list or ring number list as annexes to permit.
k. Appendix Number
Enter the number of the Appendix of the Convention (I, II or III) in which the species is listed.
l. Source of the specimen
Source refers to where the specimen (live, parts & derivatives) was obtained and the following codes indicate the source of the specimens.
W = specimens taken from the wild
R = specimens originating from a ranching operation
D = Appendix I animals captive bred or plants artificially propagated for
commercial purposes, and originate from CITES-registered operations
A = artificially propagated plants
C = Appendix I animals bred in captivity for non-commercial
purposes or captive bred Appendix II/III species
F = F1 generation of animals born in captivity
U = source unknown (must be justified)
I = confiscated or seized specimens
O = Pre-convention specimen
m. Quantity and units
Please indicate quantity and units for the specimen(s) that enter trade.
n. Country of origin
The country of origin is that country in which the specimens were taken from the wild or bred in captivity or artificially propagated. Indicate the number of the permit or certificate of the exporting country and the date of issuance.
o. Country of last re-export
The country of last re-export is the country from which the specimens were re-exported before entering the country in which the present document is issued. Enter the number of the re-export certificate of the country of last re-export and its date of issuance.