Commonly Used Terms
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
Did you know? CITES is all about regulating the trade of over 35,000 species. In India alone, more than 15,000 permits are issued each year for the legitimate trade of wildlife products, scientific specimens, and traditional medicines, all valued at around ₹850 crores, and this is done under strict monitoring protocols.
Permit Categories and Requirements
CITES has three appendices, each with varying levels of restrictions: Appendix I offers the highest protection where commercial trade is generally banned, Appendix II allows controlled trade with permits, and Appendix III focuses on monitoring trade for specific countries. In India, common exports that need CITES permits include traditional medicines made from animal or plant ingredients, leather goods, wooden handicrafts, and scientific specimens. Freight forwarding companies must ensure they have the right permit documentation before shipping any CITES-listed species or products.
Compliance Process and Documentation
To comply with CITES, exporters need to obtain permits from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) in India, as well as import permits from the countries they’re shipping to. The application process requires detailed descriptions of the products, verification of their sources, sustainability certificates, and sometimes even physical inspections. Depending on the sensitivity of the species and how complete the documentation is, processing times can take anywhere from 15 to 45 days. Freight forwarding companies work closely with specialized agents who know the ins and outs of CITES procedures to ensure everything is compliant.
Enforcement and Penalties
If there are any violations of CITES, the penalties can be quite severe, including cargo seizures, criminal prosecution, hefty fines (up to ₹25 lakhs), and even imprisonment. International enforcement agencies keep a close eye on wildlife trade through customs inspections, verifying documentation, and sharing intelligence. To stay compliant, freight forwarding companies implement thorough screening processes, provide staff training, and ensure all documentation is verified.