About CITES

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement that ensures wildlife species are not threatened to extinction by trade. 

CITES regulates international trade of CITES-listed live animals and plants, including their parts and derivatives, by requiring CITES permits to be obtained before consignments are allowed to leave or enter a country. This requirement applies to both businesses and individuals. 

Singapore has been a Party to CITES since November 1986. More than 180 countries across the globe are CITES Parties. These countries restrict trade of endangered species listed in CITES Appendix I and regulate and monitor trade of species in CITES Appendix II and III. 

In Singapore, NParks is the national authority that implements and enforces CITES regulations. For information on CITES authorities in other countries, please refer to the official CITES website.  

CITES Classification of Endangered Species 

CITES classifies endangered species under three categories. 

Appendix I 

The species listed in Appendix I face a high risk of extinction if their trade is not severely restricted. Thus, trade of these species for commercial purposes is generally prohibited. 

Exceptions are captive-bred species from CITES-registered captive breeding farms, which can only be traded after traders have obtained the relevant CITES permits. 

Non-commercial trade of CITES Appendix I-listed species is assessed on a case-to-case basis. These permits are issued under special circumstances to organisations such as zoological institutions, botanical gardens, scientific or research facilities, and museums. 

Appendix II 

The species listed in Appendix II may be threatened with extinction if trade of these species is not regulated. Trade in these species is allowed only after traders have obtained the relevant CITES permits. 

Appendix III 

Species listed in Appendix III are endangered in some countries. To import these species, you need a Certificate of Origin from the exporting/re-exporting country.

If the species originates from a country that lists it on CITES Appendix III, you will need a CITES permit from the country of export and a CITES import permit from NParks to import it into Singapore. 

For a complete list of CITES-listed animal and plant species, refer to the CITES Appendices.  

Visit the CITES gallery for pictures of CITES-listed species. 

Travellers entering Singapore may download our CITES brochure [PDF, 1.8MB] for further information on bringing CITES-listed species into Singapore. 

The Mandarin version of the CITES brochure [PDF, 599KB] also contains information on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) trade in Singapore.