CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) establishes requirements for trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora. When importing or exporting animals and plants listed in the Annexes to the CITES Convention, their parts or products derived from them, the relevant permits, certificates and other documents must be presented.
What is CITES and when did it enter into force in Lithuania
On 22 May 2001, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania adopted the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Ratification of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This Convention entered into force in the Republic of Lithuania on 9 March 2002.
The objective of CITES is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
The Annexes to the CITES Convention list wild fauna and flora species that are threatened or may become threatened with extinction, or that are so rare that trade of any scale would endanger their survival.
The CITES species list contains information on more than 36 000 species of animals and plants and their level of protection. You can check here → Checklist of CITES species
How CITES requirements are implemented in the EU
The requirements of the CITES Convention are implemented in the EU by Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein.
In order to protect species of wild fauna and flora and guarantee their survival by controlling trade in them, the permits, certificates and other documents referred to in Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 must be presented when importing animals and plants listed in the Annexes to the CITES Convention, their parts or products derived from them, from third countries and when exporting them to third countries.
Please note: permits are required where a live or dead animal or plant listed in the Annexes, any part thereof or any product derived therefrom is being transported, as well as goods which, from their accompanying documents, packaging, marks, labels or other indications, appear to be parts or products of animals or plants of those species or to contain such parts or products.
Who issues permits and where to apply
A separate permit must be presented for each consignment of animals, their parts or products derived from them. The permit is issued by the Environmental Protection Agency of the Republic of Lithuania.
For information on the issuance of the above permits and certificates, please contact the Environmental Protection Agency.
Where requirements are not complied with
Where animals, their parts and products derived from them are imported or exported in violation of the requirements of the CITES Convention, regulations and the Rules on Trade in Wild Animals, they may be detained and/or confiscated by customs.
Legal basis
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/legalAct.html?documentId=TAR.DE968E395995
- Rules on Trade in Wild Animals (Ministry of Environment, Order No D1-713): https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalActEditions/7de650b0573211ec862fdcbc8b3e3e05
- Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/LT/ALL/?uri=CELEX:31997R0338
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 865/2006 (implementing rules for Regulation 338/97): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/LT/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32006R0865
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/160 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/160/oj/eng
- Official CITES website: https://cites.org/eng
- Environmental Protection Agency (issuance of permits and certificates): https://aaa.lrv.lt/lt/