Since many of you have asked we thought we should explain Tarisio’s policies and procedures for dealing with endangered species materials, specifically tortoiseshell and ivory frogs. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) restricts the movement of items containing materials from certain endangered species. The restrictions differ from country to country:
Restrictions for items sold in Tarisio’s New York sales:
In the United States the Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides specific guidelines for commercial and non-commercial handling of endangered species materials. The US Fish & Wildlife Service (a division of the Department of the Interior) is the entity charged with enforcing the Endangered Species Act. Here is a summary of Tarisio’s US policies regarding lots incorporating endangered species:
1) Tarisio’s United States auctions do not sell endangered species materials which are not over 100 years old.
2) Tarisio does not ship endangered species materials abroad even if the items in question are over 100 years old unless a CITES exemption permit has been obtained.
3) Tarisio will never solicit or receive endangered species materials from abroad, regardless of age, without first obtaining a CITES exemption permit.
A permit to ship CITES materials can be obtained on behalf of a bidder for a processing fee of $200 (inclusive of the $75 fee Tarisio will be charged to file for the permit). Permits are not guaranteed, and the process will delay shipment of the item by up to 90 days.
Restrictions for items sold in Tarisio’s London sales:
In the United Kingdom endangered species permits are managed by Animal Health a division of DEFRA. Here is a summary of Tarisio’s UK policies regarding lots incorporating endangered species:
1) Moving a CITES-listed item within the EU
- EC regulations permit free trade of CITES-listed specimens between EU member states if the item containing the specimen was made before 1 June 1947.
- Trade in CITES-listed specimens made after 1947 is more restricted, and Tarisio does not include these items in its sales unless they are accompanied by the relevant CITES permits.
2) Moving a CITES-listed item out of the EU
- CITES-listed items always require an export or re-export permit before they can be shipped to a location outside the EU.
- Under EC regulations it is permitted for a customer to carry a CITES-listed item out of the EU as personal luggage, if it has been outside the EU already at some stage. However, it is important to check whether a UK export permit is required by the country of intended import BEFORE moving the item. Please note that the USA does not permit the import of any items containing CITES-listed materials aged under a hundred years.
- CITES permit applications may take up to 15 working days to process.
3) Applying for a CITES permit
- Permits are issued by the UK’s Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service (WLRS).
- Fees charged by the WLRS: Export permits: £59; Re-export permits: £47
- If you wish Tarisio to complete the application forms on your behalf, an administration fee of £40 plus VAT per item will be charged. Please note that we will require written permission to act as your agent in the application.
4) Further information and queries
- www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/cites/
We hope this is helpful. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions about endangered species materials or Tarisio’s policies.