Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore


		Import, Export and Transshipment of Pets - Personal

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CITES & Endangered Species

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1.	What is a CITES permit and when do I need one?
	The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to ensure that trade in wildlife species, including its parts and derivatives, are not threatened with extinction. Parties to the Convention, of which Singapore is one, regulate trade in CITES specimens by issuing CITES permits whenever the specimen enters or leaves the country. You will require a CITES permit if you intend to import/export/re-export CITES specimens. This requirement applies to both commercial consignments and personal effects. Examples of commonly traded CITES specimens include reptile skins, hard corals, Asian arowanas, live birds etc. Application for a Singapore CITES permit and its procedures can be found here. Please note that commercial trade in Appendix I specimens such as tiger, rhinoceros, marine turtles and elephants are strictly prohibited. To find out if a specimen you intend to import/export/re-export is CITES-listed, please refer to the CITES Species Database.

2.	Do I need a CITES permit if I am keeping a CITES specimen at home, eg. an African Grey Parrot?
	CITES permit is an international permit used for the trade in CITES-listed specimens. You do not need a CITES permit to keep CITES specimens such as parrots locally. However, should you intend to bring your pet parrot, or any other CITES specimens out of Singapore, you are required to apply for a CITES export/re-export permit. Application for a Singapore CITES permit and its procedures can be found here.

3.	I have a piece of carved ivory which has been with my family for many generations. My family is emigrating to Hong Kong and I intend to bring it over with me. Can AVA allow me to do so?
	Commercial trade of Appendix I specimens are strictly prohibited. However, imports/exports/re-exports of Appendix I specimens, including its parts and derivatives such as rhinoceros horn and elephant ivory for personal purposes are evaluated on a case-to-case basis. In order for AVA to assess such applications, please furnish documentary proof such as permits, certificates or invoices stating that the ivory is a pre-Convention specimen, ie. acquired before elephants were listed in the Appendices to CITES. If no such document is available, a statutory declaration is required. With the supporting documents, please proceed to apply for a CITES re-export permit from our AVA website here.

4.	There are many spotted doves in my neighbourhood and I wish to trap them and rear as pets. Is it allowed?
	Trapping of spotted doves are not permitted. Under the Wild Animals and Birds Act, it is an offence for any person to kill, take or keep any wild animal or bird, other than those specified in the Act such as mynas, pigeons and crows, without a license. Any person found doing so shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and to the forfeiture of the wild animal or bird.

5.	I saw a group of men believed to be poaching some birds near my residence. Who can I contact to provide such information?
	You can call AVA at Tel: 6227 0670 if you have information of suspected poaching activities, with the following information: Type of animals poached; Location of the animal poaching activity Frequency of poaching; Description of accompanying vehicles used for the activity (model, colour, license number) Other useful information (photographs, equipments used for poaching, poachers description) Contact details of informant All information provided to AVA will be kept strictly confidential.

6.	Who can I inform if I have information on persons or companies dealing in illegal wildlife trade, or of persons keeping exotic pets at home?
	You can contact AVA at Tel: 6227 0670 should you have reliable information on anyone dealing with illegal wildlife trade or illegal possession, with the following information: Type of animals illegally traded/ in possession; For illegal trade, the mode of conveyance and its details (eg. flight/vessel number, car license plate number), arrival/departure times,personnel/companies involved. For illegal possession, the location where the animals are kept, personnel/companies involved. Any other useful information such as photographs related to the illegal activity, suspects' description etc. Contact details of informant.

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Last updated on 16 August 2010

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