To protect wildlife from commercial overexploitation, which is partly responsible for the decline in global biodiversity, a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, better known by its acronym, CITES, was signed in Washington, D.C., on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975.
Understanding the process
As of 1st January 2023, 184 Parties had signed up to CITES, which protect for over 40,000 species (more than 6,610 animal species and 34,310 plant species) listed in three appendices. The list of species covered and further information about the CITES is available on the website www.cites.org. According to the Convention, a CITES document must be obtained in advance of any import, export or re-export of a specimen.
The Principality of Monaco is a Party to CITES; the Convention entered into force in the Principality on 18 July 1978 on the basis of the Sovereign Ordinance no. 6.292 of 23 June 1978.
The species are listed in three appendices:
- Appendix I covers the most endangered species. Trade in these species is prohibited or authorised only under certain conditions. Symbolic species such as the elephant, Siberian tiger, rhinoceros, gorilla, Przewalski's horse, certain cacti and some orchids are included in this Appendix
- Appendix II covers species likely to become threatened with extinction if international trade in them is not controlled. A permit is mandatory for any transaction involving these species. This Appendix includes the vast majority of species covered by CITES: certain reptiles, sturgeon, some species of orchids and cacti not included in Appendix I
- Appendix III includes species in respect of which one Party requires the cooperation of the other Parties to prevent illegal or unsustainable exploitation. Documentation is required for trade in these species
A "specimen" is considered to be any animal or plant, live or dead, which belongs to one of the species included in the list of those protected by CITES, or any part or product obtained from such animals or plants, whether or not it is incorporated into other goods.
The Department of the Environment is the CITES management authority for Monaco. It issues permits to individuals and professionals.
CITES documents must be obtained prior to any import, export, or re-export (export of a previously imported specimen). CITES documents are sent to the applicant as identified on either the online service or the form.
Any unused or outdated CITES documents must be returned to the Department of the Environment (form CITES/2023-004). Any lost documents must be reported, even if there is no request for renewal.
Procedure:
Professionals based in Monaco wishing to import, re-export or export CITES specimens must follow the procedure below:
TRANSACTION | DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS | PROCEDURE |
Importing into Monaco and offering for sale (import/re-export application) | Scan of export permit or re-export certificate to Monaco | Online procedure via the online service |
Importing to Monaco only | Scan of export permit or re-export certificate to Monaco | Online procedure via the online service |
Re-exportation from Monaco (if import only has been applied for) | Scan of Monegasque import permit | Online procedure via the online service |
Re-export for commercial purposes (marked T) | Re-export certificate for personal use (marked P), 4 pages | Offline procedure with the form CITES/2023-001 |
Renewal of expired documents | Expired re-export certificate, 4 pages | Offline procedure with the form CITES/2023-002 |
Renewal of a lost Monegasque CITES document | 1 certificate on headed paper stating the document number and the circumstances of the loss | Offline procedure with the form CITES/2023-003 |
Returning unused or outdated documents | Documents concerned, the 4 pages or the page(s) still in your possession | Offline procedure with the form CITES/2023-004 |
Use of re-export certificates for sale in Monaco:
To enable items covered by the provisions of CITES to be offered for sale, you have been issued with the following documents: 1 import permit with as many re-export certificates as items imported.
When a CITES item is sold, the re-export certificate for sale corresponding to the item must be completed with the purchaser's details (boxes 4 and 5) without crossing out or modifying the other details, otherwise it will be void. All 4 pages must be given to the buyer.
The Department of the Environment must be notified of the certificate number and the country of destination.
Re-export certificates are valid for 6 months. Renewal must be expressly requested once the validity date has been reached.
For specimens acquired before the Convention came into force for that species, professionals must:
- Provide any CITES documents in their possession
- Prove the legal acquisition of the specimen
- Provide a certificate written in French and issued by an expert stating the date or period, the name of the species, a detailed description, and a photo of the item
For live animals, professionals must: provide proof of legal acquisition, any CITES documents, demonstrate that they can house the animal in conditions appropriate for its species, comply with animal welfare regulations (legimonaco.mc/tnc/arrete-ministeriel) and any health regulations in force.
To apply online for a CITES permit from the Department of the Environment, use the online service below:
The Offline procedure is reserved for the following cases:
- Renewal of expired certificates: complete form CITES/2023-002 and attach the 4 pages of the expired certificate
- Commercial return of goods: complete form CITES/2023-001 and attach the 4 pages of the certificate for sale (marked P)
- Renewal of lost documents: complete form CITES/2023-003 and attach a certificate of loss stating the number of the lost document and the circumstances of the loss
- Return of unused or outdated documents: complete form CITES/2023-004 and enclose the 4 pages of the documents to be cancelled
The form with the attachments must be sent to the Department of the Environment.
Incomplete applications will be rejected.
Files
Administrative contact
5 rue du Gabian
Le Triton
98000 Monaco
Opening hours :
from 9.00am to 12.30am and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm from monday to friday
Phone :
Administrative contact
5 rue du Gabian
Le Triton
98000 Monaco
Opening hours :
from 9.00am to 12.30am and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm from monday to friday
Phone :