The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement signed by more than 120 countries that regulates trade in a number of species of plants and animals, their parts and derivatives and any articles made from them. The names of these species appear in a Control List that is updated every two years, following the meeting of the Parties to the Convention. The list provides the names of CITES species and indicates whether they are Appendix I, II or III species.

Appendix I species are rare or endangered. Trade in these species for primarily commercial purposes is prohibited. As a result, Appendix I species must be accompanied by a CITES export permit issued by the exporting country and a CITES import permit issued by the importing country.

Appendix II species are neither rare nor endangered at present, but could become so if trade is not regulated. The species in Appendix II must be accompanied by an appropriate CITES export permit issued by the exporting country before entry to the importing country will be allowed.

Appendix III species are not endangered but are subject to special management within the listing country (as indicated in parentheses beside the Appendix number). Species in Appendix III must be accompanied by an appropriate CITES export permit issued by the exporting country if the trade is with the listing country, or by a certificate of origin or a re-export certificate if the trade is with a country other than the listing country, as required by the Convention.

Note this pictogram used throughout the guide:

Appendix I, II or III species

Trade in this species is regulated
by CITES and you must verify
the necessary CITES permit(s)