Some wildlife souvenirs you buy overseas could end up costing a lot more than you paid for them!

Going abroad?  Think twice about the things you buy.  If they're made from the hides, shells, feathers, or teeth of endangered species--and it's quite possible that they are--you risk their seizure by government inspectors and may face a substantial fine.

Seemingly innocuous products made from tortoiseshell, coral, ivory, and reptile skin, for example, are available in marketplaces all over the world.  But just because wildlife items are on sale in another country does not necessarily mean that they are legal to import into the United States.  Travelers don't realize that several U.S. laws and an international treaty make it a crime to bring many of these wildlife souvenirs into our country. 

                            At The Heart of the Issue:  Protecting Endangered Wildlife

Endangered species are declining in record numbers as their habitat is destroyed and they are commercially exploited.  To combat excessive exploitation, many countries have joined the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  Nevertheless, the purchasing power of consumers and the growing sophistication of modern commercial transportation routes still make endangered wildlife products easily available.  As an international traveler, you can help save species when you avoid buying souvenirs made from endangered animals and plants.

                                              The Laws That Affect What You Buy

The regulations governing wildlife imports are complicated enough to make the U.S. consumer think twice before buying any wildlife overseas.  If you are considering the purchase of a live animal or plant or a souvenir made from one, you should be familiar with certain laws:

Endangered Species Act--Prohibits the import and export of species listed as endangered and most species listed as threatened.

Lacey Act--prohibits the import of animal species that have been taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of foreign law.  Many countries now completely ban or strictly limit wildlife trade.

CITES--a comprehensive wildlife treaty signed by over 130 countries, including the United States, that regulates and, in many cases, prohibits imports and exports of wild animal and plant species that are threatened by trade.

Marine Mammal Protection Act--prohibits the import of marine mammals and their parts and products.  These species include whales, walruses, narwhals, seals, sea lions, sea otters, and polar bears.

African Elephant Conservation Act--prohibits imports of ivory products from any country, and only permits non-commercial import of whole tusks from elephants that have been legally hunted in certain African countries.

Wild Bird Conservation Act--regulates or prohibits the import of many exotic bird species.

                                                              Guidelines to Follow

Wildlife is sometimes illegally killed or collected in one country, smuggled into another, and then exported with false permits to a third, making its origins hard to trace.   If you're considering the purchase of any wildlife or wildlife souvenir while abroad, you should first try to determine its origin and any U.S. restrictions on its import.

Reptile Skins and Leathers are most commonly used in watchbands, handbags, belts, and shoes.  The legality of importing these products depends upon the species and the country of origin.
Prohibited imports include:
   all sea turtle products
   products made from black caiman, American crocodile,
   Orinoco crocodile, and Philippine crocodile
   most lizard-skin products originating in Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru
     Venezuela, India, and Nepal
   many snakeskin products originating in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador,
     Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, and India

Other leather products made from pangolin (sometimes labeled "anteater") skin originating in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia may not be brought into the United States.

The survival of many wild bird species is threatened by habitat destruction and trade, and alarming numbers of birds die during capture, transit, and quarantine.
Prohibited from import are:
   many live birds, except as authorized by the Wildlife Bird Conservation Act (this includes many parrots,    macaws, cockatoos, and certain finches)
   most wild bird feathers, mounted birds, skins, and some skin products.
   Ivory from elephant tusks is carved into products such as jewelry, figurines, and piano keys.  

Imports of ivory, including many antiques, from both Asian and African elephants are now generally prohibited.  Purchase of ivory may provide an incentive to poachers and illegal traders and threaten the survival of the African elephant.  Imports of ivory and scrimshaws from whales, walruses, and narwhals are also prohibited. 

Furs from most larger spotted cats, such as jaguar, snow leopard, and tiger, and from most smaller cats, such as ocelot, margay, and tiger cat, cannot enter the United States legally, nor can furs of marine mammals such as seals and polar bears.

Coral reefs are the building blocks of important marine communities and serve as natural barriers against beach erosion.  Recognizing this, many countries in the Caribbean, the Pacific, and southeast Asia prohibit the collection, sale, and export of corals and international commercial trade is regulated.  Yet corals, both precious and semiprecious, are often fashioned into jewelry and decorative ornaments and sold in enormous quantities.  Coral collection is one of several reasons for the destruction of coral ecosystems, so check for restrictions on coral trade before you buy. 

Plants, like animals, are subject to illegal trade through laundering, smuggling, and improper documentation.  As a result, many plant species are in danger of extinction and receive protection under United States law.  Species prohibited from import into the United States include many orchids, cacti, and cycads.  Whether endangered or not, all imported plants must undergo inspection by the Department of Agriculture and be accompanied by documents certifying they are free of disease and pests.

                                                                       A Final Word

The United States is the world's largest wildlife-consuming country.  Despite strong prohibitions, a significant percentage of the international wildlife trade still involves protected or endangered species.  You can play a significant role in curbing this illegal trade by becoming a better-informed consumer and traveler. 

Remember, when you are unsure of the regulations, check with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or TRAFFIC USA, the wildlife trade monitoring program of World Wildlife fund and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), well before you go.  Or, once abroad, check with the local authorities or the U.S. Embassy before making a purchase.  When in doubt, don't buy!  You may save yourself some frustration and the loss of your purchase.

For more information, contact:

                       World Wildlife Fund
                       1250 24th Street, NW
                       Washington, D.C. 20037
                      
                       U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
                       Office of Law Enforcement
                       4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 520
                       Arlington, VA 22203-3247
                       Phone:   703 358-1949