CITES’ implementation requires a Management Authority and Scientific Authority. In the United States, both of these are housed within our program. The role of each authority can be found in 50 CFR 23.6I, but to simplify, International Affairs’ Division of Management Authority makes a legal acquisition finding, and its Division of Scientific Authority makes a non-detriment finding.

To issue certificates for species included in CITES Appendix I or II, our staff must determine that the specimens were acquired legally and that the proposed activity is not detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild.

We have detailed information on our CITES webpage and our CITES FAQs. You may also visit the CITES Secretariat’s website for additional information.

We work closely with our federal partner NOAA Fisheries in issuing CITES certificates for marine species under NOAA’s jurisdiction, including sharks and rays. We will consult with NOAA Fisheries to determine that you are legally permitted to catch, acquire, or hold the specimens being permitted. In addition, NOAA Fisheries will need to review any application involving species under NOAA’s jurisdiction, which are protected under the ESA.

If you plan to engage in international trade, you will need to check if a CITES certificate is necessary for my proposed activity. If a CITES certificate is required, you must apply for and obtain the appropriate CITES certificates to participate in the international trade of your specimens. The type of certificate depends on when the specimens were harvested and where the specimens were caught.

To determine the specific CITES documentation requirements for these shark and ray species:

• First, determine the scientific name for any species being permitted (genus and species). This can be searched in the CITES’ Species+ database.
• Next, determine whether the species is protected under U.S. or international law. (Keep in mind that a species may be listed under multiple laws, so multiple authorizations may be required.) If more than one type of authorization is required for an activity, we may be able to issue one consolidated certificate authorizing the activity, provided certain criteria are met. Species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) can be found at NOAA Fisheries' Endangered Species program website.

The four activities:

1. Introduction from the Sea (IFS)
2. Import
3. Export
4. Re-export

Yes.

• Export of requiem sharks specimens harvested on or after November 25, 2023 (including fins, meat, live animals, etc.) requires a CITES export certificate issued by our office.
• Export of requiem sharks specimens harvested prior to November 25, 2023 requires a CITES pre-convention certificate issued by our office.

Unlikely. All parts and derivatives of CITES-listed species are covered by the provisions of CITES, unless otherwise indicated. This includes fins, meat, blubber, biological samples, etc.There are no by-catch or incidental take exemptions under CITES, either. 

No. If specimens are taken by a U.S.-flagged vessel, within the U.S. EEZ or state waters, and landed in the United States directly from U.S. EEZ or state waters (i.e., does not land in another country first), no CITES certificate is required.

Yes. If specimens of these species are taken within the U.S. EEZ or state waters by a U.S.-flagged vessel and landed in a foreign port on or after November 25, 2023, a CITES export certificate issued by our office is required.

Yes. Introduction from the sea (IFS) is defined as transportation of specimens of any species which were taken in the marine environment not under the jurisdiction of any country (=high seas).

Please file Application Form 3-200-31 to receive an IFS certificate.

Multiple-use IFS certificates are available if your activity will require multiple introductions from the sea over the course of a year. In these cases, you will need to be able to show that future activities will be done legally and may require you to provide research statements, collection permits, or additional documentation. 

• If specimens of these sharks are taken on the high seas by a U.S.-flagged vessel and landed in the United States on or after November 25, 2023, a CITES introduction from the sea certificate issued by our office is required.
• If specimens of these sharks are taken on the high seas by a U.S.-flagged vessel and landed in a foreign port on or after November 25, 2023, a CITES export certificate issued by our office is required.

Yes. A vessel under a foreign flag fish in the marine environment not under the jurisdiction of any country (= high seas) and lands the catch in the United States: this is international trade (export and import) and not “introduction from the sea.” 

Yes, this graphic flowchart can help illustrate the process.

Single use certificates for the export native U.S. marine species are valid for six months.

Master Files are an additional option available to applicants who are conducting the same activity, exporting frequently, and need a more efficient way to obtain required CITES certificates. Master file applications may take longer to review, but once established, applicants may obtain multiple partially complete, single use certificates at a time, allowing for multiple shipments of their pre-authorized specimens prior to needing to apply for more. Put more simply, this method can eliminate the need to submit individual applications for each shipment an applicant may plan. 

• A Master File can be obtained for shipments requiring multiple imports or exports to various destinations. These files are valid for an authorized period, which can last up to three years.
• Master Files can be customized for where specimens will be exported to, the quantity exported, or both.
• "Partially complete" means single-use certificates contain specific information from your Master File about the specimens and type of activity (e.g., export, re-export). Master File holders must complete the partially completed certificates before shipment (e.g., consignee, quantity).  

Learn More About Master Files

Yes. In addition to the certificates referenced above, per 50 CFR 14.91, commercial importers or exporters of any wildlife species are required to obtain an Import/Export License. These licenses are issued by our Office of Law Enforcement and there is a $100 application fee that may be paid online. It’s necessary you obtain this license before attempting to use any CITES certificates you have been issued, if the purpose of your activity is labeled as commercial. On any issued certificate, in section 5a, the purpose code will be listed. For commercial trade, the code “T” will be visible.

CITES applications are only necessary when conducting international trade in species listed in a CITES Appendix and if the issuance of a certificate is required under U.S. law. Please take note of any species you are permitted to catch under your incidental permit, then research whether that species is protected under CITES or another U.S. law. If you cannot find that information, please contact us to inquire about permitting requirements, including your species’ scientific name.

Domestic fisheries are the jurisdiction of NOAA Fisheries and state agencies. The legal harvest of marine species must be done in compliance with any number of permits issued by NOAA Fisheries, and state agencies, including permits that allow for incidental catch or take. When under review, we will ask for the NOAA Fisheries or state permit(s) that allows for the legal harvest of the specimens you will export, import, or introduce from the sea.

For an incidental harvest, you may begin your application once you have the valid fisheries permit(s) that legally allow you to catch, hold, or acquire your specimens, along with species names. If you have a valid permit for the catch of the species you will export, along with the species name, you can begin your application prior to catching any specimens. In these cases, reporting requirements may be applicable.

If your certificate is subject to a reporting requirement, it will be clearly indicated on your issued certificate or Master File letter. Per 50 CFR 13.45, you must submit annual reports no later than March 31^st for activities from the preceding year.

Yes, if the species is protected under CITES, then it will not matter when you acquired those specimens. However, depending on when a specimen was acquired and when the species was added to a CITES Appendix, the specimen may qualify for a “CITES pre-Convention” certificate. 

Specimens acquired prior to the date the species was first listed under CITES, regardless of whether the species has subsequently been transferred from one Appendix to another, are “pre-Convention”. You can apply for a Pre-Convention certificate by submitting Application Form 3-200-23, and by demonstrating that the specimen(s) were acquired, or manufactured, prior to the listing date for that species.

 Possibly. Depending on the research you are conducting, and the species you are sampling, an introduction from the sea, import, export, or re-export certificate may be necessary. For species that are protected under the ESA, please apply using one of the 3-200-37 application forms.

If you are seeking to qualify your museum, research institution, or herbarium as a scientific institution with the CITES Secretariat, please submit Application Form 3-200-39. Registered scientific institutions are authorized to loan, and receive loans, of “preserved, dried or embedded specimens, herbarium specimens and live plant material which includes a label issued or approved by a Management Authority” with other registered institutions. Certificates of Scientific Exchange (COSEs) are valid for four years, may be renewed, and certificate holders are subject to a yearly reporting requirement, which is detailed upon issuance.

You can check the current list of registered institutions on CITES’ Register of Scientific Institutions.

We highly recommend you begin the application process two to three months before you need the CITES certificate. While your application is being processed, we may need to contact you to request additional information, so please include a valid phone number and email address. Please retain a copy of your application after applying, as it may help you to apply in the future.

All applicants must provide:

• Application Form - Every question block must be answered, and a complete application package will improve how quickly it can be processed. If an answer block does not apply to you, write, “N/A” in the block.
• The accurate scientific name of the genus and species, and (if applicable) the subspecies. We cannot process your application without this information.
• The specimen type or description (e.g., live animals, etc.).
• The proposed activity (e.g., import, export, re-export, introduction from the sea, etc.).
• For U.S. residents, provide your complete physical address and mailing address.
• For non-U.S. residents, provide your current foreign address (including the country) and an address where you will be staying in the United States.
• All pertinent documents should be legible and uploaded in an appropriate file format (for most documents, this will be in PDF format).
• A valid email address that you check regularly.
• Appropriate fee payment.

Please include:

• Collection permits
• Catch reports
• Dealer permits
• Display permits
• Licenses to conduct specific activities
• Shark identification workshop certificates
• Chain of custody documentation such as:
  • receipts or invoices
  • tag numbers
  • quantities of specimens
  • the location from where the specimens were harvested
• For live specimens, please provide transportation conditions and the current size (length in centimeters) of the specimens in your application and answer every question on the application form. If an answer block does not apply to you, write, “N/A” in the block. 

Yes. Application processing fees for CITES certificates may be located at 50 CFR 13.11 and also on our ePermits website. Application fees range from $50 to $200, depending on which application is submitted. 

Fees are listed on each application’s webpage before you click on the “Begin Application” button.  Public institutions may be fee exempt but must present their fee exempt paperwork when applying.

It is your responsibility to provide sufficient information specific to the proposed activity so we can make an informed decision concerning your application. Each application form provides the information that our staff will need to properly assess and process an application. Feel free to upload a cover letter (with your application) that clearly states the particulars to your work. The more we know of your proposed work, the faster and more accurately we can process your application.

If we have a question or need additional information to process your application, we will contact you, so please ensure we have the best email and phone number to contact you. In accordance with 50 CFR 13.ll(e), if the requested information is not received by this office within 45 calendar days of the attempted contact, your application will be administratively closed.

We are here to support and work with you. Feel free to contact us at any time before, during, or after the application process. 

When you are ready to apply, these FAQs provide answers to a number of basic permit questions, helpful graphics, and links to our ePermit’s website. 

At the ePermit's Help Center, you can explore self-help resources for information such as which application(s) you might need, submitting a renewal or amendment, and getting technical support for account logins. You can also submit inquiries and information requests and get technical help with your ePermits account.

You can also speak to one of our staff by calling (800) 358-2104. If you are unable to reach a staff member, please leave a voicemail with your phone number and question(s) and someone will contact you.

Export and re-export certificates – valid for six months.

Import certificate, introduction from the sea certificate, and certificate of origin - valid for no longer than 12 months.

Single use certificates are valid for one shipment only. They cannot be re-used after being validated at an authorized inspection location. 

• If you are selling your products, it’s suggested that you provide the valid, stamped copy of your certificate to the individual or company purchasing your specimens.

You may extend time by renewing an issued CITES certificate if it has not been used and it is not past its expiration date. Please contact us for additional information during the renewal application process.

Yes and No.

Applications are processed in the order that they are received, and there is no process to expedite. However, you may provide an express prepaid label to speed up the mailing process. (By law, we must mail you the paper certificate, even if you submit your application online.)

You can also ensure that you submit a complete application, which is the most effective way to improve processing times. Providing a written statement explaining the particulars of the specimens will also help. For example, it is helpful to provide when you expect to export, import, or introduce from the sea your products and specimens in your application and what type of work will be done with your products. If an application question does not pertain to your work, write “N/A” into the answer block. In other words, provide a response to every question.

Yes. Requests for reconsideration provide you the opportunity to submit new information to address the issues that caused the denial. The reconsideration process is detailed under 50 CFR 13.29.

If your application was denied, you will be issued a letter, detailing the reasons why your application was denied and how you can request reconsideration. A request for reconsideration must be submitted within 45 days after receiving a denial letter. 

If your request for reconsideration is denied, then you may appeal this decision to the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. You will need to submit this appeal within 45 calendar days after receiving a decision on reconsideration.

Issued certificates are mailed to the address given in your application. Applicants may provide a pre-paid express mailing label, which we will use to mail your certificate to you.  

Master File letters are distributed via email, unless a physical copy is requested. The letters will detail the specifics of your master file, along with how to apply for partially completed certificates (Application Form 3-200-74). 

Please read CITES certificates and master files letter carefully and immediately upon receipt. There may be special conditions on a CITES document based on the needs of the species or the proposed activity. In addition, mistakes on an issued CITES document may result in the seizure of your specimens at a domestic or foreign port of entry. We would like to correct any errors as soon as possible, so a quick review of your documents may help identify a mistake immediately.

Once a CITES certificate is obtained, permit holders may arrange to export, import, or introduce from the sea as authorized on the CITES document. Be sure to maintain complete and accurate records of any take, possession, transportation, sale, purchase, barter, exportation, or importation of specimens pursuant to such certificate. Records shall be legible or reproducible in English and should be maintained for five years from the certificate’s expiration date.  

Certificates issued by our office become valid when endorsed by an Office of Law Enforcement wildlife inspector prior to export, or upon introduction from the sea.

Please note that you must comply with the general conditions of your CITES document as provided in 50 CFR 23.56. In addition, you must comply with all applicable local, state, federal, Tribal, and foreign wildlife, or plant conservation laws. 

All international wildlife shipments must be imported or exported through a designated port. In addition, as described in 50 CFR 14.31-33, an importer or exporter may apply for a Designated Port Exception Permit (DPEP) to import or export their shipments through a non-designated port. 

To apply for a DPEP, Application Form 3-200-2 must be submitted to the appropriate Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) permitting office listed on the application, along with a $100 application fee. 

Per 50 CFCR 14.54, the Wildlife Inspection Office must be notified of live or perishable wildlife shipments a minimum of 48 hours prior to the estimated time of arrival or export. 

All wildlife shipments, excluding non-protected sharks/rays intended for human or animal consumption,  must be declared to the OLE upon import, introduction from the sea, or prior to export, using “Declaration for Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife (Application Form 3-177),” which can be submitted online along with all supporting documentation and required fees for the shipment. For more information, read 50 CFR Part 14. 

No. You do not need to file a 3-177 application form to land fishery products in the United States that were caught in U.S. waters.  

Please note: Failure to comply with any requirements listed in 50 CFR Part 14, or 50 CFR Part 23, could result in an enforcement action being taken, which may include refusal of clearance, detention, seizure, or other penalties. Please contact a Wildlife Inspection Office with any questions about any wildlife shipments.