CITES: UK import suspensions (negative opinions)
Check if a CITES item that you want to import is listed as having an import suspension due to its trade being considered unsustainable.
- From:
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
- Published
- 20 May 2022
- Last updated
-
3019SeptemberAugust20242025 — See all updates
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Details
You need a permit to import specimens of species listed by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
A specimen is a living or dead animal or plant or any of its parts, or an item made from these.
You should check the import suspensions before you apply for a permit. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is not likely to give you a permit if your specimen is listed as having an import suspension.
Updates to this page
Published 20 May 2022
Last updated 3019 SeptemberAugust 2024
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Update history
2026-06-05 13:08
Added lists of Great Britain negative opinions (for plants and animals) and a link to the UK import suspensions list. Outlined that you must check for import restrictions in all lists before applying to import CITES specimens. Clarified that these import restrictions apply in Great Britain.
2025-08-19 10:07
Update to ‘specimens covered’ and ‘countries of origin’ for Corals species.
2024-09-30 16:37
Added a definition of specimen.
2024-05-21 12:25
Added an import suspension for Uroplatus ebanauifrom, Uroplatus phantasticus and Uroplatus sikorae from Madagascar.
2023-01-19 09:54
Added an import suspension for all corals (except Blastomussa wellsi, Catalaphyllia jardinei, Cycloseris (Fungia) cyclolites, Homophyllia (Acanthastrea) bowerbanki) from Australia (specimens derived from Queensland Fishery only).
2022-08-15 10:36
We’ve clarified that our baseline position is made up from EU decisions made before 1 February 2020 and the UK list of import suspensions.
2022-05-31 11:51
Update to ‘specimens covered’ and ‘countries of origin’ for Bulnesia sarmentoi species.
2022-05-20 15:24
First published.
Details
You need a permit to import specimens of species listed by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
A specimen is a living or dead animal or plant or any of its parts, or an item made from these.
You should check the import suspensions before you apply for a permit. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is not likely to give you a permit if your specimen is listed as having an import suspension.
Updates to this page
Sign up for emails or print this page
Update history
2026-06-05 13:08
Added lists of Great Britain negative opinions (for plants and animals) and a link to the UK import suspensions list. Outlined that you must check for import restrictions in all lists before applying to import CITES specimens. Clarified that these import restrictions apply in Great Britain.
2025-08-19 10:07
Update to ‘specimens covered’ and ‘countries of origin’ for Corals species.
2024-09-30 16:37
Added a definition of specimen.
2024-05-21 12:25
Added an import suspension for Uroplatus ebanauifrom, Uroplatus phantasticus and Uroplatus sikorae from Madagascar.
2023-01-19 09:54
Added an import suspension for all corals (except Blastomussa wellsi, Catalaphyllia jardinei, Cycloseris (Fungia) cyclolites, Homophyllia (Acanthastrea) bowerbanki) from Australia (specimens derived from Queensland Fishery only).
2022-08-15 10:36
We’ve clarified that our baseline position is made up from EU decisions made before 1 February 2020 and the UK list of import suspensions.
2022-05-31 11:51
Update to ‘specimens covered’ and ‘countries of origin’ for Bulnesia sarmentoi species.
2022-05-20 15:24
First published.