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| Advice for Travellers Souvenir Alert | Trade Hotspots | Frequently Asked Questions | Other Advice CALLING ALL TRAVELLERS!
You may be tempted to buy exotic souvenirs such as reptile skin handbags and ivory carvings on holiday, but you should remember that trade in many animals, plants and products made from them, is controlled internationally to safeguard endangered species. The trade in tourist souvenirs can threaten the most endangered species and you may also be breaking the law. If you are thinking of bringing back exotic souvenirs from abroad, you should check with Defra which items you can bring back before you leave as you may need a CITES permit. CITES goods imported without valid permits may be seized by Customs on your return and you could face an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment. Over 800 species of animals and plants are currently banned from international trade and a further 30,000 strictly controlled by CITES and EU legislation including many corals, reptiles, orchids and cacti as well as tigers, rhinos, elephants and turtles. It is not easy to know which souvenirs or gifts to avoid buying and Defra's 'Souvenir Alert' campaign - in co-operation with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF-UK) - aims to raise awareness of the CITES controls amongst travellers. A brief guide to some of the products you are most likely to come across is provided here. International trade in some is banned altogether. Permits are required for others. Click here for full information about whether specific species' are protected by CITES.Remember, trade controls exist to protect these animals and plants. Your shopping decisions can help them survive.
TIGERS, LEOPARDS & JAGUARS CITES forbids trade in skins and products from many cat species such as the tiger, leopard and jaguar. Don’t buy skins, handbags or coats made from them. TRADITIONAL MEDICINES The tiger - one of the world’s most endangered species - is also threatened by demand for traditional medicines. Other medicines may contain tiger bone, rhino horn or other endangered plants and animals. If they do - and it is not always easy to tell - they cannot be imported or sold within the UK. TURTLES & TORTOISESHELL Jewellery, combs, sunglasses or even whole shells from sea turtles are often available on exotic islands. If you want to help these species survive, please don’t buy. ELEPHANT IVORY In 1997 CITES agreed to allow very limited export of ivory and elephant products. As far as tourist souvenirs are concerned this will only involve Zimbabwe and there will still be controls. If you are visiting Zimbabwe, you are strongly advised to check with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) before bringing anything back. In all other African and Asian countries, export of these products is still banned even though you may see them for sale in shops, hotels, markets and even airport duty-free areas. Remember these are only some of the products you may come across abroad - many more species are also banned from international trade. BUSHMEAT The meat of any wild animal hunted for food. Bushmeat may pose a health hazard to both humans and domestic livestock and its import into the UK from countries outside the EU is prohibited.
It is best not to purchase live animals or birds on trips abroad. In any event, protected live animals and plants require an import permit, issued by Defra once they are satisfied that you also have an export permit from the country in which you obtained the goods. You must have both documents before animals and plants can be brought back into the EU. Trade in dead specimens of plants and animals, and any parts derived from listed species, are also controlled so that trade does not threaten the survival of the species in the wild. You may bring back souvenirs made from certain CITES species where international trade is allowed, provided they are for your personal use and you have a CITES permit from the country of export. Not all of the species involved are immediately obvious. You need to be clear what the legal requirements are for the products you want to buy. If you are not sure what a CITES export permit looks like, or where to apply for one, contact Defra before leaving. If you are still not sure, it may be best not to buy. ORCHIDS & CACTI Wild specimens of certain plants are banned from trade. Artificially propagated plants may be allowed into the country, subject to permit and phytosanitary regulations. Check with Defra first. CORAL You need to be sure that coral necklaces, earrings and ornaments are not derived from endangered species. These are not always easy to identify on market stalls or in shops so if you’re unsure, don’t bring them home. Further information on corals and particularly the identification of commonly traded CITES-listed corals can be found at www.arkive.org/coral. REPTILE SKINS Many reptile skins such as crocodiles snakes and lizards are covered by strict European Union import controls. These products include snake skin boots, bags, belts, shoes or watch straps. These controls vary depending on the species involved and the country of export - some only require export permits if the products being brought back are for personal use. Others are banned altogether - check which rules apply before you leave the UK. CAVIAR All species of sturgeon and their caviar are covered by controls. You may however bring up to 250 grams of caviar into the EU, for personal consumption. Check with Defra if you are in any doubt. CHANNEL ISLANDS/ISLE OF MAN The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not part of the European Union. This means that permits are required for trade in CITES-listed species between the Islands and all countries that are Party to CITES - including the UK. REMEMBER If you are interested in buying exotic souvenirs abroad, check it out with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) before you leave the UK as you may need an export permit. Telephone: 44 (0)117
372 8691/8168 or write to us at: Global Wildlife
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