Guidance Notes
The following guidance notes are available as downloadable pdf documents.
These notes are for guidance only and are not a full statement of the law. If you need points of law to be explained, you should get independent legal advice.
Summary of Guidance Notes available on CITES
GN1 General guidance notes for Importers and Exporters
Sets out the framework for international trade in specimens listed on each of the Annexes and explains what you need to do to.
GN1a Guidance for first time applicants: Importers and Exporters
Brief overview of what you need to know, expressed in simple terms.
GN2 General Notes on commercial use
Sets out when you need to apply for an Article 10 certificate and gives detailed information about the different types of certificate.
GN2a Guidance for first time applicants: Commercial Use
Brief overview of what you need to know, expressed in simple terms.
GN3 Tortoise traders
Specific CITES guidance of relevance to tortoise traders and private owners.
GN4 Circuses and travelling exhibitions
Specific guidance relating to temporary cross border movements.
GN5 Breeders
Options available for specimens bred in captivity, and their associated marking requirements.
GN6 Bird of prey keepers
Specific CITES guidance of relevance to owners and traders of birds of prey, including marking requirements and additional controls on rehabilitating disabled wild birds under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
GN7 Worked Specimens
Specific CITES guidance of relevance to traders in ‘worked’ specimens including Rhino horn and Ivory.
GN10 Taxidermists
Explains the additional controls on taxidermy specimens, in particular keeping them for sale, log book records, and marking requirements, procedures for obtaining pre-issued certificates, and where to find advice on additional controls under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Habitats Directive.
GN11 Charges applicable from 6th April 2009
Sets out the charging structure for applications.
GN11a Guidance on Fees
Definitions
GN12 Zoos and scientific institutions
Explains to Zoos and other scientific institutions what an Article 60 certificate is, who can apply, and how.
GN13 Herbaria and botanical institutions
Explains to Herberia and Botanical Institutes what an Article 60 certificate is, who can apply, and how.
GN15 Information for Timber Traders
Specific guidance on international trade and sale, including additional health controls, and a list of controlled timber products.
GN16 Use of CITES labels by Scientific Institutions
Specific guidance on non-commercial loans between registered scientific institutions, organisations and individuals, including how to apply for registration and where to find a list of registered institutions.
GN17 Waiving of fees for applications for CITES licences
Explains which activities qualify for a fees waiver on the basis of their conservation value, and includes an application form.
GN18 Import and (re) export of personal pets
Explains the scope of personal ownership certificates, how to apply for one, and marking requirements.
GN19 Advice for traders in Caviar
Explains the controls on packaging, re-packing and sale of caviar, including what labels should be attached to containers being offered for sale, and how traders can obtain them from us.
GN20 Guidance for Museums
Explains to Museums what an Article 60 certificate is, who can apply, and how.
GN21 Guidance Notes for Sample Collection Certificates
This additional guidance note is to be used in conjunction with the General Guidance Note for Importers, Exporters and Traders (GN1)
GN22 Guidance for Introduction of Corals from the Sea
Specific guidance detailing which corals are controlled on CITES and whether an import permit is required to bring them into the UK directly from the sea.
