Importing CITES Goods into Australia: Understanding Permit a

Importing certain wildlife, plant and timber products into Australia may require compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

CITES is an international agreement designed to ensure that international trade does not threaten the survival of protected animal and plan species. Australia regulates the import and export of CITES- listed species and products derived from those species. 

Understanding whether your goods are subject to CITES requirements before shipment is essential to avoid delays,,permit issues and potential border compliance concerns. 

CITES regulates the international movement of certain animal and plant species as well as products manufactured from those species. 

Approximately 5,600 animal species and 30,000 plant species are listed under CITES.

Both commercial and non-commercial trade of CITES listed species, and their products, are regulated. Examples of regulated items include:

• high-end fashion goods (such as crocodile, python and snake leather)
• traditional medicines (such as bear bile, tiger bone and ginseng)
• marine species (including shark fin)
• scientific specimens (including live monkeys and monkey blood specimens)
• live animals being transferred between zoos
• live plants, timber and cut flowers (including sandalwood, orchids and ferns)
• personal hunting trophies
• tourist souvenirs (including corals and clam shells)
• musical instruments (such as rosewood fret boards found in guitars, and ivory used in pianos and bagpipes).

 Australia has imposed extra requirements on trade in certain CITES-listed species. More information on these requirements is below under ‘Stricter domestic measures’.  

To bring species listed on Appendix II to CITES into Australia, importers must obtain both:

• an export permit from the country of export
• a wildlife trade import permit from Australia.

International trade in CITES listed species generally requires permits issued by both the exporting country and the importing country.

As a result, compliance with CITES alone does not automatically guarantee that goods can be imported into Australia. 

Documentation may include:

• CITES Export permits issued by the exporting country
• CITES Import permits issued by Australian CITES Management Authority, DCCEEW
• Supporting documentation such as certificates of origin or species identification, if requested. 
• Additional certification or documentation requirements

Permit requirements can vary significantly based on the species, product type and CITES Appendix classification. 

While CITES provides an international framework for regulating trade in endangered species, Australia applies additional domestic measures that may impose further import requirements.  This means imports may be assessed under multiple regulatory frameworks. 

As a result, compliance with CITES alone does not automatically guarantee that goods can be imported into Australia. 

Depending on the product, importers may also need to meet requirements under:

• Biosecurity legislation and import conditions
• Environmental Protection regulation and EPBC Act
• Prohibited Import Regulations
• Additional certification or documentation requirements

These requirements can vary significantly based on the species, product composition and intended use of the goods. 

CITES related imports are frequently delayed due to:

• Missing or incorrect permits
• CITES permits not issued prior to export and Import
• Misidentification of species or materials
• Incomplete documentation
• Unaware of Australian domestic requirements

These issues can result in border holds, storage charges or enforcement action. 

Non-compliant CITES imports may be:

• Detained at the border
• Subject to inspection or testing
• Required to be exported back to origin
• Seized or destroyed in serious cases
• Subject to penalties or infringement notices

Compliance is assessed by both ABF and DAFF depending on the nature of the goods.

To reduce risk and delays, importers should:

• Identify product composition before shipping
• Confirm whether species are CITES- listed
• Apply for permits early where required
• Check Australian biosecurity import conditions
• Ensure product is not prohibited or restricted.
• Ensure accurate documentation is provided
• Verify tariff classification and import requirements

Early assessment is critical to avoiding clearance delays.  

 At OnPoint Customs Solutions, we regularly assist importers in identifying potential permit requirements before goods are shipped to Australia. To reduce risk and delays, we can help:

• Review and Identify product descriptions and specifications
• Identify potential CITES concerns
• Guide importers on documentation requirements 
• Check Australian biosecurity import conditions
• Ensure product is not prohibited or restricted.
• Ensure accurate documentation is provided
• Coordinate customs clearance once permits are in place

Early assessment is critical to avoiding clearance delays.  

 If you are unsure whether your goods contain protected plant or animal materials, it is important to seek advice before arranging shipment. 

Many importers only discover CITES requirements once their goods arrive in Australia and held at the border, often resulting in costly delays, storage charges and compliance issues. A simple review before shipping can help identify permit requirements and avoid unnecessary complications.