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If you are involved in reptile research and need to import or
export specimens, tissue, blood, or DNA samples or, if you

are importing or exporting live reptiles, you may need to apply
for a CITES and/or ESA permit. You probably have heard of the
U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), but you may not have
heard of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Although some over-
lap exists between the two, they are, in fact, distinctly different
entities. In addition, the Lacey Act may apply. Under its provi-
sions, it is unlawful to import, export, sell, acquire, or purchase
fish, wildlife, or plants taken, possessed, transported, or sold: (1)
In violation of U.S. or Indian law, or (2) In interstate or foreign
commerce involving any fish, wildlife, or plants taken, possessed,
or sold in violation of state or foreign law. The law covers all fish
and wildlife and their parts or products, plus plants protected by
CITES or state laws.

ESA was enacted in 1973 and CITES in 1975. CITES
remains the only global treaty that ensures that international
wildlife trade is based on sustainable use and management of
wild and captive populations. It provides a framework for coop-
eration and collaboration among nations to prevent further
decline in wild populations of animals and plants. CITES estab-
lishes a system of import/export regulations to prevent the over-
exploitation of plants and animals listed in three appendices to
the Convention. Today, 168 countries, including the United
States, implement CITES, with additional countries joining
each year. Different levels of trade regulations are set depending
on the status (i.e., Appendix) of the listed species and the impact
any trade has on the decline of the species. For example, if a
species is listed in Appendix I of CITES (such as West Indian
Rock Iguanas, Cyclura spp.), it may not be traded for primarily
commercial purposes, whereas an Appendix II-listed species such
as the Common or Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) may be traded
commercially. Based on the level of protection under CITES,
different criteria are evaluated, so an application for an Appendix
II-listed species would likely be processed more quickly than one
for an Appendix I-listed species. Depending on the status of the
species in the wild, the level of protection may change over time.
For example, the Spider Tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides) was uplisted
(afforded more protection) from Appendix II to Appendix I of
CITES in January 2005. The American Crocodile (Crocodylus
acutus), on the other hand, was downlisted from Appendix I to
Appendix II due to an evaluation of new data. Every two–three
years, CITES signatories meet to discuss wildlife trade, review
species, and make revisions as needed.

Laws Governing the Importation and
Exportation of Reptiles

Compiled by the Editorial Board1

244 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2005 EDITORIAL BOARD

1 In consultation with Amy Brisendine, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Part of the Species Recovery Plan for the Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura
collei) involves captive-breeding programs in U.S. zoos. Repatriated
individuals born in the United States would require CITES permits to
enter Jamaica.

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The Red-bellied Racer (Alsophis rufiventris) of St. Eustatius and Saba
in the Netherlands Antilles has been extirpated on Nevis and St. Kitts.
Although “red-listed” by IUCN, the species is not listed in CITES.

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IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2005 245CITES

Over the last few decades, CITES has helped ensure global
conservation of species. Some of the recent cases in which these
laws have halted illegal wildlife trade include: in 2005, a man in
New York was sentenced to six months in jail for smuggling
wildlife parts; ten individuals in New Mexico were indicted for
illegal hunting and killing of wildlife on a National preserve; and
a man in Indiana was required to pay more than $450,000 for
several violations of wildlife laws (for copies of the news releases,
visit news.fws.gov). As advancing technology makes it possible
to ship wildlife anywhere in the world and as issues of wildlife
use grow ever more complex, CITES provides tools to effectively
conserve the world’s diverse natural resources.

In sharp contrast, the ESA is strictly a U.S. law and is not
enforced in other countries; that is, it may only be enforced
within the jurisdiction of the United States. It prohibits unau-
thorized taking, possession, sale, and transport (import and/or
export) of endangered species such as the Jamaican Iguana
(Cyclura collei). Examples of permits issued for ESA-listed species
include reasons such as bona fide scientific research or enhance-
ment of the survival of the species in the wild. The Service fre-
quently receives applications from zoos and research institutions
such as universities or non-profit foundations to conduct these
types of activities.

Below are some frequently asked questions and answers
that may help you in determining if you need permits to con-
duct your activities:

Q. Is a particular species CITES-listed?
A. You can check to see if and how a species is listed by visiting

www.cites.org. If it is listed by CITES, submit form 3-200-
29, which is available from www.fws.gov/permits. If you
need additional information, look at the ”How to Apply“
section for detailed information on application procedures.

Q. Is a particular species listed by the ESA?
A. Visit www.fws.gov/permits and click on ”species lists” to check

if a species is listed. If it is listed by ESA, you may use form 3-
200-37. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will gen-
erally combine CITES and ESA permits into a single permit.

Q. What can I do to make the process go smoothly?
A. Plan at least six months in advance and submit your applica-

tion at least five months in advance of your trip in order to
have permits ready in time. CITES export permits are typi-
cally valid for six months; CITES import permits for one year.

Q. Once my permit is received, what do I do?
A. Instructions will be enclosed with the permit. You will have

to clear the wildlife samples through FWS at the port of
export or import. If you need additional information,
please visit www.le.fws.gov.

Q. Where can I research these wildlife laws?
A. The CITES website is www.cites.org and the website 

for the U.S. CITES Management Authority is
www.fws.gov/permits.

If you have additional questions about importing or exporting
wildlife samples, you may contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, International Affairs / Division of Management
Authority, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, VA
22203 or (800/703) 358–2104 or send an email to manage-
mentauthority@fws.gov.

Tuataras (Sphenodon punctatus) are restricted to a few small, very strictly
protected islands off New Zealand (see Iguana 12:38–42). Permission
to import into the United States any animals or parts would require
CITES permits from both New Zealand and the U.S.

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Because the St. Croix Ground Lizard (Ameiva polyps) is found only
within a U.S. Commonwealth, the Endangered Species Act would
apply to any efforts to study the species.

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Not only is the Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans) listed in CITES
Appendix II, so are all species of Geochelone. This often is necessary to
prevent confusion between similar taxa within a genus, all of which are
in need of protection.

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