People are being urged not to import endangered wildlife products into the island without a permit.
This is to help protect global biodiversity and prevent illegal wildlife trade.
Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), certain endangered species, and their by-products, require specific permits to ensure that international trade does not threaten their survival.
These regulations are enforced under the Endangered Species Act, which governs the movement of specified species to and from the Isle of Man.
Endangered Wildlife Products
People are encouraged to check their needs against the species and products that require permits.
Examples of items that require permits include:
- Species such as tortoises, many snakes, and most parrots;
- Products derived from endangered animals, such as ivory, European eel, and sturgeon;
- Coral, hunting trophies, and various plants, including snowdrops, cacti, euphorbias, and orchids (with some exceptions, such as propagated vanilla pods, some labelled commercial orchids, and specific commercial seeds).
It is important to note that some items cannot be certified under CITES.
For instance, ivory has strict date cut-offs, and the origin and provenance of items must be verifiable for certification to be issued.
If individuals have any doubts about a specific item or species, or require more information about CITES regulations, they can contact DEFA’s Ecosystem Policy Team by calling 01624 685835, or emailing ecosystems@gov.im.
People can also access guidance and permit application forms on the DEFA website.
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