CITES permits for the import or export of protected species
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In order to protect endangered plant and animal species, the import, transit, export or re-export of protected wildlife species (fauna and flora) requires a CITES permit. The permit proves that their removal is legal and compatible with the sustainability of the species concerned.
While the European Regulation which applies to Luxembourg in this matter is based on the international CITES convention, its application is more restrictive.
The CITES permit is attached to the import or export declaration. It is issued by:
- the Administration of Technical Agricultural Services (Administration des services techniques de l'agriculture - ASTA) with regard to protected species of flora;
- the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (Administration luxembourgeoise vétérinaire et alimentaire - ALVA) for protected fauna species.
Who is concerned?
Businesses concerned
The following bodies are required to have a CITES permit to import or export animals or plants from species who are protected by the CITES convention:
- all businesses involved in the trade of such animals or plants;
- all bodies involved in the public exhibition of such animals or plants;
- all bodies involved in non-commercial cross-border movement of such animals or plants;
- all scientific research centres using such animals or plants within the framework of their research.
Any private person importing, exporting or transiting protected animals or plants must also have a CITES permit.
Species concerned
A CITES permit is required for the import or export of living or dead animals or plants, as well as of parts or products from these species (e.g. ivory).
The species concerned are listed in 3 categories, detailed in 3 annexes, depending on the threat of extinction to which they are exposed:
- annexe A lists the species in immediate danger of extinction. International trade in these species is completely banned (except if otherwise provided for by Regulation 338/97 art. 7 and art. 8 point 3);
- annexe B lists the species in danger of extinction in the short term. Trading in these species is strictly regulated and subject to the granting of permits and authorisations;
- annexe C describes the species declared in danger in one or more countries (e.g. the walrus in Canada or the Sacred Ibis in Ghana).
Prerequisites
Preliminary steps
In order to access the online application, you will first need:
- for flora: a certification of your business eSpace by the Administration of Technical Agricultural Services (ASTA); or
- for fauna: a certification of your business eSpace by the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA).
In both cases, the certification request is made via MyGuichet.lu (see 'Online services and forms'). This online procedure requires authentication with a LuxTrust product or an electronic identity card (eID).
If a CITES permit is required for flora and fauna, certification must be applied for separately from ASTA and ALVA.
To have your business eSpace certified, you must attach:
- a certification from the employer attesting that the employee has power of signature and acts in the interest and on behalf of the company (scanned document in PDF format);
- a copy of the company's business permit (scanned document in PDF format).
Deadlines
Applicants are requested to submit their application to the Administration of Technical Agricultural Services (ASTA) or the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) at the latest 25 workdays before the export/import of such products.
An additional validation deadline is required when it becomes necessary to verify the country of origin or when the competent scientific authority under the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity has to intervene in the case of species listed in annex A and, where applicable, in annex B.
How to proceed
Submitting the application
Depending on whether it is a protected species of flora or fauna, the applicant must submit, via MyGuichet.lu (see 'Online services and forms' below):
- an application for a CITES permit for the import, export or re-export of protected flora species to the Administration of Technical Agricultural Services (ASTA);
- an application for a CITES permit for the import, export or re-export of protected fauna species to the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA).
Applicants must add to their application:
- for imports:
- either a CITES export permit from the country of origin;
- or a CITES re-export permit from the country of provenance;
- for exports: a proof of legal purchase of the merchandise;
- for re-exports:
- a proof of acquisition of the merchandise;
- a copy of the CITES import permit;
- where applicable, one or more intra-Community sales certificates enabling traceability;
- a power of attorney attesting that the applicant can act for and on behalf of another company, where applicable;
- the list of official markings in the case of caviar.
Conditions for denial
Applications for species listed in annexe A and annexe B can be denied in the case of a reasoned negative opinion from the consulted scientific authority.
Online services and forms
Online services
Who to contact
Plant Protection Service (ASTA)
-
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture Plant Protection Service (ASTA)
- Address:
-
16, route d'Esch
L-1470
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
B.P. 1904 / L-1019 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 457 172-200
- Fax:
- (+352) 457 172-180
- Email address:
- phytopathologie@asta.etat.lu
Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA)
-
Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA)
- Address:
- 7, rue Thomas Edison L-1445 Strassen Luxembourg
- Email address:
- info@alva.etat.lu
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
CITES Permit system
on the website of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
-
Information on taxonomy, legislation, distribution and trade in MEA-listed species
on the Species+ portal
-
CITES Permit
on the Single Window for Logistics portal
-
Species protected by CITES
on the Single Window for Logistics portal
Legal references
-
Loi du 21 avril 1989
portant approbation des Amendements de Bonn du 22 juin 1979 et de Gaborone du 30 avril 1983 à la Convention sur le commerce international des espèces de faune et de flore sauvages menacées d'extinction, signée à Washington, le 3 mars 1973 ; complétant la loi du 19 février 1975 portant approbation de la Convention sur le commerce international des espèces de faune et de flore sauvages menacées d'extinction, signée à Washington, le 3 mars 1973
- Protection de faune et flore sauvages-application
-
Règlement (CE) nº 338/97 du Conseil du 9 décembre 1996
relatif à la protection des espèces de faune et de flore sauvages par le contrôle de leur commerce
-
Règlement (CE) nº 865/2006 de la Commission du 4 mai 2006
portant modalités d'application du règlement (CE) n o 338/97 du Conseil relatif à la protection des espèces de faune et de flore sauvages par le contrôle de leur commerce
-
Règlement d'exécution (UE) 2015/736 de la Commission du 7 mai 2015
interdisant l'introduction dans l'Union de spécimens de certaines espèces de faune et de flore sauvages
-
Règlement (UE) n° 1320/2014 de la Commission du 1 er décembre 2014
modifiant le règlement (CE) n ° 338/97 du Conseil relatif à la protection des espèces de faune et de flore sauvages par le contrôle de leur commerce
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