Overview
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) protects over 40,900 endangered species – about 6,610 animal species and 34,310 plant species – against over-exploitation, by regulating international trade.
This trade is diverse, ranging from live animals and plants to products derived from them. This includes food products, leather goods, timber, dead specimens, parts (such as ivory) or derivatives (such as medicines made from animals or plants).
These activities could harm wildlife populations, and CITES is responsible for their regulation.
Objectives
CITES aims to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
Law
International law
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments that came into force in 1975. It comprises 184 States and regional economic integration organisations worldwide.
The EU became an official party to CITES in 2015, reinforcing its role as a strong actor in global efforts to protect the environment and prevent illegal trade.
The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need. For more information on how CITES works, please visit the official site.
EU regulations
The “EU wildlife trade regulations” are a set of EU laws implemented uniformly in all EU countries to enforce the provisions of CITES.
The EU has enacted strict rules to ensure that wildlife products only enter the EU market if they are of legal and sustainable origin. Enforcement of the regulations remains the competence of each EU country.
See below for more details.
Council Regulation [EC] No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein lays down the overall provisions for import, export and re-export, as well as internal EU trade in specimens of species. The species are listed in its four Annexes.
Annex A includes:
- All CITES Appendix I species, except where EU Member States have entered a reservation
- Some CITES Appendix II and III species, for which the EU has adopted stricter domestic measures
- Some non-CITES species
Annex B includes:
- All other CITES Appendix II species, except where EU Member States have entered a reservation
- Some CITES Appendix III species
- Some non-CITES species
Annex C includes:
- All other CITES Appendix III species, except where EU Member States have entered a reservation
Annex D includes:
- Some CITES Appendix III species for which the EU holds a reservation
- Some non-CITES species in order to be consistent with other EU regulations on the protection of native species, such as the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive
Amendments to the species listed in the annexes are implemented via a Commission regulation. Moreover, the Basic Regulation allows the possibility of restricting the introduction of certain species into the EU, after consulting with the species’ country of origin.
Commission Regulation [EC] No 865/2006 (as amended) lays down detailed rules and addresses practical aspects for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97.
Commission Implementing Regulation [EU] 792/2012 lays down rules for the design of permits, certificates and other documents provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 865/2006.
Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 provides the Commission with the possibility to restrict the introduction of species into the European Union. This is done after consultation with the countries of origin concerned and taking into account any opinion of the Scientific Review Group. The most recent Suspension Regulation (2025/6) was adopted on 6 January 2025.
EU wildlife action plans
Wildlife trafficking has become one of the most profitable criminal activities worldwide, with devastating effects for biodiversity. Europe is currently a destination market, a hub for trafficking in transit to other regions, and, for some species, the source region for illegal trade.
In November 2022, the Commission adopted the revised EU Action Plan against wildlife trafficking. The revised plan has four main priorities:
- To prevent wildlife trafficking and address its root causes.
- To strengthen the legal and policy framework against wildlife trafficking.
- To enforce regulations and policies to fight wildlife trafficking effectively.
- To strengthen the global partnership of source, consumer and transit countries against wildlife trafficking.
The revised action plan builds on a previous action plan, which covered the period 2016-20.
Implementation
Initiatives
The EU and its Member States continue to invest in strengthening CITES implementation around the world. Through programmes such as the CITES Tree Species Programme (CTSP) and Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE), EU and Member State funding has supported over 60 projects in more than 30 countries.
These efforts help authorities improve forest governance, enhance anti-poaching operations, and develop robust scientific assessments. Educational programmes launched with EU support are making species data and e-learning widely accessible.
In 2025, the EU reinforced its leadership in tackling wildlife crime through the GUARD Wildlife programme – a €27 million partnership with the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).
Over the last ten years, the EU has:
- Strengthened enforcement through implementation of the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking and operations such as Operation LAKE, which combats illegal trade in European eels.
- Enhanced global cooperation through shared databases, scientific guidance and traceability tools.
- Invested in capacity-building programmes and funding mechanisms that help countries implement CITES effectively.
- Promoted science-based policymaking through the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, which apply stricter measures than CITES itself.
For more information, see the latest publication: A journey in CITES: EU’s decade in international wildlife conservation (2025)
Expert groups
Several committees and expert groups assist the EU in enforcing legislation to protect endangered species and end illegal trafficking. See their meeting dates here.
These groups include the Committee on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora, Group of Experts of the Competent CITES Management Authorities, The EU Wildlife Trade Enforcement Group, and Scientific Review Group.
Guidance
The EU wildlife trade laws are complemented by more specific guidance, developed by the Commission in consultation with EU countries, to facilitate the application of the rules across the EU.
- Guidance document on the export, re-export and intra-EU trade of captive-born and bred live tigers and their parts and derivatives
- Guidance document on live animals bred in captivity under the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations
- Revised Guidance document on the EU regime governing intra-EU trade and re-export of ivory
See also: factsheet (available in all EU languages): Ivory trade in the EU: strict rules to protect elephants in the wild, 2022 - Revised EU Guidance on Ivory trade - Questions and Answers on musical instruments
- Guidance on Worked Specimens under the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations
- Guidance document on the verification of legality in the timber trade
- Guidance document on the Proof of legal acquisition for live animals of Annex B species and necessary documentary evidence.
- Guidance document on the export, re-export, import and intra-Union trade of rhinoceros horns (2019)
1. Reports in line with CITES requirements
1.1 Annual trade reports can be assessed directly via the CITES Trade Database
1.2 Annual trade reports – EU analyses
1.3 Implementation reports – EU compilations
1.4 Implementation reports - EU analyses
1.5 Annual illegal trade reports / Overview of seizures
2. Studies and Reports on Wildlife Trade related to fauna and flora
2.1 Reports related to trade in fauna
2.2 Reports related to trade in flora
2.3 Other reports related to wildlife trade
3. Reference guide (Detailed information on the implementation of the Wildlife Trade Regulations of the European Union)
Before you purchase your pet or plant, check whether the species is listed in the annexes to the EU wildlife trade laws. If yes, trade restrictions and permit requirements apply. Your national CITES management authority should be able to advise you on requirements relating to the purchase of the pet or plant and the documents you should receive from the dealer. Check where the seller is based and find out the origin of the species you are buying, as these will affect the documentation required. There may also be sanitary, veterinary, agricultural or other documentary requirements. Be cautious when buying CITES-listed specimens on the internet, including auction sites, as they may not be legal.
If you wish to travel with a legally acquired pet of a listed species, specific certificates can be obtained from your national managing authority. You don’t need specific permits or certificates if travelling inside the EU’s border-free Schengen area. Personal ownership certificates may only be issued for legally acquired live animals held for personal, non-commercial purposes. Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 delivers the framework for the protection of animals during transportation.
It is important to prevent exotic animals from moving into the natural habitat as this might pose a threat to both the habitat and human safety. Several member countries have specific regulations regarding the exhibition of dangerous and/or poisonous animals to the public, for example at fairs.
If you own exotic species, you should be aware that they may pose a threat to European species and habitats if they escape or are voluntarily released into the wild. These species may adapt to and breed in their new environment, becoming "invasive" or "alien" species, damaging global biodiversity and economies.
If you wish to bring into the EU souvenirs for your own personal use that are made of plants or animals, you should be aware that for many species listed in the CITES appendices or the annexes of the EU wildlife trade laws you need a permit or certificate.
In the absence of such documents, the souvenirs may be seized by customs, and you could be risking a hefty fine.
