The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's International Affairs program issues permits for the import, export, re-export, and introduction from the sea of wild animals and plants for species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), our Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are responsible for the inspection and enforcement of CITES-listed plant shipments, including timber.
To determine whether a timber species is listed under CITES Appendix I, II, or III, when the species was listed, and whether CITES permit exemptions apply to the species, use the Species+ Database. The annotation for each CITES listing indicates which parts, derivatives, or products may require permits and certificates for their legal import and export. For best results, search using the scientific name or country of the desired species. For example, to find Brazilian rosewood in the database, search either by location (Brazil) or by using the scientific name of the species (Dalbergia nigra). (Please note: Not all common names of species appear in the database.)
To determine whether a species is listed under the Endangered Species Act, search the Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS).
CITES-listed Timber and Wood Frequently Asked Questions
International Trade of CITES-listed Timber
If you are exporting CITES-listed timber, please complete application form 3-200-32: Export/Re-Export of Plants and Plant Products under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). You will need to submit a completed and signed application form with documentation demonstrating that the timber was legally acquired. Such documentation may include transfer documents, copies of any relevant validated CITES documents, etc. In the case of re-exports, also include copies of the canceled foreign CITES permits that were used to import the wood into the United States. The canceled CITES document will contain a stamp from the USDA or CBP to show the shipment was cleared for import into the United States.
For an application form to be successful, all questions must be answered. If a question does not apply, respond “N/A” for “not applicable.” For additional guidance, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Although the United States may issue a CITES document for the export of CITES-listed species, exporters should also always consult with the appropriate Management Authority of the importing country to determine the import requirements. Some countries (e.g., countries in the European Union) may apply stricter domestic measures to trade in CITES-listed species. Review listings and annotations for each species using the Species+ Database or contact the appropriate national CITES authorities for the countries with which you wish to trade.
Port Inspection Information
For imports into the United States: The responsible inspection authority (APHIS, CBP, or our OLE if the shipment also includes wildlife) will review the paperwork associated with shipments of CITES-listed plants and may inspect shipments to ensure the trade is being conducted in accordance with CITES and U.S. requirements. The inspection authority will cancel and collect the original foreign CITES document and forward it to our Division of Management Authority. A copy of the canceled (stamped) and endorsed original CITES document should be retained for the port’s files. The inspection authority must also provide the U.S. importer with a copy of the canceled foreign CITES document.
For (re-)exports from the United States: The responsible inspection authority (APHIS, CBP, or our OLE if the shipment also includes wildlife) will review the paperwork associated with shipments of CITES-listed plants and may inspect shipments to ensure that the trade is being conducted in accordance with CITES and U.S. requirements. The inspection authority will validate the original U.S. CITES document and send a copy of the validated document to our Division of Management Authority. A copy of the canceled (stamped) and endorsed original CITES document should be retained for the port’s files. The validated original CITES document must be provided to the U.S. exporter or their agent to accompany the shipment to its destination.
To find the appropriate port inspection office
For more information on clearance procedures for timber species included in CITES I, II, or III, refer to the USDA-APHIS CITES I-II-III Timber Species Manual or visit the APHIS Timber or Timber Products webpage. Contact USDA-APHIS to determine their quarantine and health certificate requirements for import and export, either on their website or by calling their National Import Export Services Call Center: 301-851-3300.
- If your item contains wildlife, it must be declared to our OLE. The OLE may endorse a CITES permit containing plant products only if the shipment also contains wildlife (whether or not the wildlife is also CITES-listed). Please visit our list of FWS OLE Wildlife Inspection Offices.
For more information about the requirements to import or export wildlife, contact a Wildlife Inspection Office, visit FWS OLE Information for Importers and Exporters or email lawenforcement@fws.gov.
Additional Resources
Please visit Traveling Across International Borders with Your Musical Instrument for information.
To access a list of U.S. ESA-listed species, view “FWS-Listed U.S. Species by Taxonomic Group – All Plants” via the Environmental Conservation Online System.
For information regarding CITES protection/regulation of bigleaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), refer to theCITES bigleaf mahogany topic page.
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