Conditions for Importing & Exporting CITES Species (Animals)

Electronic signature and self-printing

With effect from 1 October 2019, all CITES permits and certificates will be issued with electronic signatures by NParks. Traders are to self-print their CITES permits and certificates using compatible watermark printers (Click here for the list of compatible printers). Export/re-export endorsement of the CITES permits can be done at:

•Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ) [click here for the location]
•Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) [click here for the locations]
•Animal & Plant Health Centre (APHC) [click here for the location]

For those who are unable self-print or without watermark printer, you may self-print the CITES permits and certificates using the self-service terminal at the Animal & Plant Health Centre (APHC) [click here for the location] after 1 January 2020.

For a sample format of the CITES permit, please refer here.

For more information, please refer to the briefing slides, frequently asked questions and quick guide.

For queries on printer issues or GoBusiness Licensing Portal, please contact CrimsonLogic at 6774 1430 or
licences-helpdesk@crimsonlogic.com.

Importing CITES species
Steps Description
Step 1:
You must obtain a CITES import permit issued by NParks before your shipment arrives in Singapore.

Apply for a CITES permit online via GoBusiness Licensing Portal at least two working weeks before your shipment arrives. Failing to do so may result in:

Delays in your shipment’s clearance at the port of entry
Shipments being returned to the exporting or re-exporting country
Your shipments being seized by the authorities
Step 2: Ensure that a copy of the CITES export or re-export permit issued by the exporting or re-exporting country is uploaded and enclosed in your application on GoBusiness Licensing Portal.
Step 3:
Make sure that the CITES permit from the exporting or re-exporting country is issued by a CITES management authority and is valid. Shipment that is accompanied by an expired CITES permit will be detained or rejected.

You can find a list of CITES Parties and details of the relevant contact persons here.

The original CITES export or re-export permit must be submitted to NParks immediately after clearance of the shipment.

Please note that it takes at least seven working days for NParks to issue your CITES import permit, provided that all your supporting documents are in order. More time may be needed, however, if NParks needs to verify the CITES export or re-export permit with the exporting or re-exporting country.

The express service is not applicable to CITES import permit issuance.

Exporting or re-exporting CITES species
Steps Description
Step 1:
Please note the pre-export or re-export information below.

If your consignment is imported with a CITES import permit, the import stock card will be activated by NParks in GoBusiness Licensing Portal.
If your consignment does not require a CITES import permit, you must create your own stock card and have it approved by NParks on GoBusiness Licensing Portal. Examples of such consignments include certain manufactured leather products or specimens that were bred in captivity in Singapore.
CITES stock cards

CITES stock cards track the movement of CITES specimens. In order to apply for CITES permits issued by NParks, the relevant stock cards must first be activated.

Any mistakes made during your stock card application will affect the subsequent CITES re-export permit application. An erroneous CITES export or re-export permit may result in the importing country rejecting, detaining, confiscating, or destroying your shipment. NParks is not liable for any decisions foreign authorities pass on your consignment.

Therefore, please ensure that your stock card application contains the correct details, and that you submit the relevant original foreign CITES export or re-export permits to NParks. If you wish to amend the information on your stock card after your application’s approval, please e-mail NParks with the ID numbers of the affected stock cards to re-submit your application.

Step 2:
Apply for a CITES export or re-export permit issued by NParks online via GoBusiness Licensing Portal.

You must obtain the permit before your shipment departs Singapore.

Step 3:
If required, separately apply for a CITES import permit issued by the destination country. You are responsible for contacting the relevant CITES authorities and ensuring that your shipment complies with CITES requirements.

You can use a copy of your CITES export or re-export permit issued by NParks to support this application.

Please note that it takes at least seven working days for NParks to issue your CITES export or re-export permit. You may opt for the express service which will usually take one working day for NParks to process and approve the CITES permit application, but a different fee applies.

Fees
Fees for CITES permits
Type of permit Fees per permit
Normal service Express service
CITES import/export/re-export permit
$12 per scheduled species subject to a minimum of $60 per consignment.

Each additional species is charged S$12 within the same consignment.

$24 per scheduled species subject to a minimum of $120 per consignment.

Each additional species is charged at S$24 within the same consignment.

Certificate of Origin (for Appendix III species) S$29.40 S$58.80
CITES export/re-export permit (for commercial consignments of manufactured products) S$29.40 S$58.80
Pre-signed CITES permit (for non-commercial tourist manufactured products) S$10 S$20
Amendment of CITES permit S$9.45 N.A.
Fees may be paid via:

GIRO
Online payment methods available on GoBusiness Licensing Portal.
Each CITES permit is valid for a maximum of 6 months, and is valid for one consignment only.

Other requirements
Once your CITES permit for import, export, or re-export has been issued, you must proceed to submit a TradeNet declaration immediately using the appropriate HS codes and product codes.

Please submit your TradeNet declaration and relevant supporting documents before 5.30 pm on Mondays to Thursdays, and before 5 pm on Fridays. Submitting your complete application before these cutoff times facilitates same-day processing. Any submissions made on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays will be processed the next working day.

Please note that CITES permits must be obtained before you submit your TradeNet declaration.

Importing, exporting, or re-exporting of live CITES species
In addition to CITES permits, you are required to meet AVS’ veterinary conditions if you are importing, exporting, or re-exporting live animals.

Please refer to the import, export, and transshipment of wildlife for detailed guidelines.

Guidelines on specific animals are available on the following pages:

Ornamental birds (including CITES-listed birds).
Ornamental fish (including CITES-listed fish).
Insects and other invertebrates.
Amphibians and reptiles.

Requirement for CITES species transiting Singapore
If a CITES specimen is transiting Singapore and does not involve a local consignee or importer, it must be accompanied by a valid CITES export or re-export permit issued by the exporting or re-exporting country’s relevant CITES authority.

The following additional requirements apply if the specimen is a live animal, or if it belongs to a species listed under CITES Appendix I:

You must obtain a valid CITES import permit issued by the destination country’s relevant CITES authority for your shipment.
You must obtain both the CITES export or re-export permit, and CITES import permit, from the relevant parties,and present them to NParks prior to your specimen’s arrival in Singapore.
The CITES permits and other shipping documents must be available for inspection when required by NParks or port authorities.

If a CITES specimen is transiting Singapore and involves a local consignee or importer, the specimen is considered an import for re-export. This classification also applies to CITES specimens or shipment that remains or is temporarily stored at the free trade zone, whether or not it involves re-packing. The following requirements apply.

Your specimen must be accompanied by a valid CITES export or re-export permit issued by the exporting or re-exporting country’s relevant CITES authority, as well as a CITES import permit from NParks.
You must obtain and present both the CITES export or re-export permit, and the CITES import permit, to NParks prior to your specimen’s arrival in Singapore.
The CITES permits and other shipping documents must be available for inspection when required by NParks or port authorities.
Obtain the CITES re-export permit from NParks before your specimen or shipment departs.

Commercial trade of CITES Appendix I specimens such as elephant ivory, rhino horn, tiger parts, pangolin scales, and marine turtle scales, is strictly prohibited.

Commercial trade of CITES Appendix II specimens such as reptile skins, corals, agarwood, and rosewood, is strictly regulated via CITES permits.

A standard CITES permit format is available here for reference. The CITES permit must be issued in accordance with CITES requirements and include details of the CITES specimen or shipment, such as name and address of importer/exporter/re-exporter, scientific and common name of the species, Appendix no. and source code, description, quantity, UOM etc.

If in doubt, please drop us a message at https://www.nparks.gov.sg/feedback.