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Apply for a permit to import and export protected plant and animal species

The permit requirement applies to live and dead animals and plants listed in CITES, as well as parts or products containing such components.

You may also apply for the following special CITES permits:

  • Certificate for musical instruments,
  • Certificate for traveling exhibitions,
  • Specimen collection certificate, and
  • Travel certificate for pets of protected species

as well as 

  • Exemption under the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH) or the Birds Directive

You must present the issued permit to the customs office of entry or exit for customs clearance in accordance with species protection regulations.
You also need a permit if you wish to re-export or re-import the specimen.
Specific requirements for the permit depend on 

  • the level of protection for the species you wish to import or export and 
  • the type of application.
     

  • Import and Export of Protected Plant and Animal Species: Permit
  • The permit requirement applies to live and dead animals and plants, as well as parts or products containing components thereof
  • CITES permits that can be applied for:  
    • Import Permit for Live Animals and Plants
    • Export Permit for Live Animals and Plants
    • Export Permit for Parts and Products
    • Import permit for parts and products
    • Re-export certificate for live animals and plants
    • Re-export certificate for parts and products
  • CITES Special Permits That Can Be Applied For:
    • Certificate for Musical Instruments,
    • Certificate for traveling exhibitions,
    • Specimen Collection Certificate, and
    • Travel certificate for pets of protected species
    • Exemption under the Habitats Directive or the Birds Directive
  • Specific requirements for approval depend on 
    • the level of protection for the species to be imported or exported
    • Type of application
  • Application submitted online or by mail
  • Responsible authority: Federal Agency for Nature Conservation: CITES Enforcement Authority 

  • Application form and, if applicable, follow-up form for more than one species
  • Supporting documents for applying for an import permit for live specimens
  • Supporting documents for applying for an import permit for products or parts of plants or animals, as well as for dead specimens
  • Supporting documents for applying for an export permit or re-export certificate for live specimens
  • Supporting documents for applying for an export permit or re-export certificate for products or parts of plants or animals, as well as for dead specimens

The specific requirements for approval depend on the protection status of the species you wish to import or export and the type of application.

  • You must be able to provide a positive opinion from the scientific authority
    • This is not required when applying for a re-export certificate.
  • When applying for an import permit, you need a copy of the export document issued by the country of export.
  • You need a user account on the CITES Online Portal.

Fees are based on various factors, such as the number and type of certificates, the time required, and other similar considerations. In the “Additional Information” section, you will find a link with detailed information on how fees are calculated. 

You can apply for an import, export, or re-export permit online, by mail, or by email by scanning and submitting the signed application.

If you are applying for the permit online:

  • Go to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation’s website, “citesantrag.bfn.de,” and follow the instructions.
  • In addition to registration, various services are available there, such as:
    • submitting supporting documents along with the online application,
    • selecting a payment method, and
    • saving the submitted application in your account for later processing and creating templates for new applications.
  • If all requirements for approval are met, your approval will be sent to you by mail.
  • If your application is denied, you will receive a denial notice by mail (subject to a fee).

If you are applying for approval by mail or email:

  • Download the application form from “citesantrag.bfn.de” or https://www.bfn.de/genehmigungen-und-bescheinigungen.
  • Fill it out and send it, along with the supporting documents required for your specific application, by mail or as a scan to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation.
  • If all requirements for approval are met, the approval will be sent to you by mail.
  • If your application is denied, you will receive a denial notice by mail (a fee applies).

  • If all requirements are met, the statutory processing period is 4 weeks. 
  • If additional documents need to be requested or information needs to be obtained, this period may be extended. You will then receive a corresponding interim notice.
     

  • Use of import, export, or re-export permits: no later than the last day of the documents’ validity
  • Filing an appeal against a rejection notice within one month of notification
Application deadline: 4 - 6 Weeks
You must submit applications for a permit to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation well in advance of the planned transfer. Please note that the statutory processing period is four weeks, provided all requirements are met.

Applications involving live animals must be submitted, if possible, 6 weeks before the planned transport.

  • Appeal
  • Lawsuit filed with the administrative court.

The following information is provided:     

Protected Animal and Plant Species

The easiest way to determine whether a species is protected is to consult relevant databases, such as the WISIA species database or the international CITES database Species+. Here, you can enter the scientific name of the species and obtain information about its conservation status.

Handling Species Conservation Permits Upon Receipt

Please check your species protection permit upon receipt to ensure that the information is complete and accurate. The permit or certificate cannot be used more than once. Each permit issued may be used only once during its validity period.

Unused species conservation documents

Once the validity period has expired, you are required to return all copies of the permit or certificate to us without being asked.

Loss of wildlife protection documents

The loss of a document must be reported immediately in writing to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), including a description of the circumstances.

Additional regulations that may apply

  • Nagoya Protocol
  • Veterinary law
  • Pharmaceutical law
  • Invasive Alien Species, Customs Law,
  • Timber Trade Regulation
  • Regulation on Deforestation-Free Supply Chains

Redirect Service: Deep Link to the Original Portal

Federal Agency for Nature Conservation: CITES Enforcement Authority

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Source: Serviceportal Saarland