Violations of legislation relating to CITES-protected species are punishable by law.
If you fail to comply with this legislation, you risk a fine, the confiscation of your specimens or even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence.
On this page
Infringements
The list below gives some examples of possible violations of the legislation on protected species.
- You conduct commercial activities with specimens of Annex A species without a CITES certificate.
- The information mentionned on a certificate does not match with the concerned specimen (description, identification, etc.).
- You import and (re)export specimens of species to(or from) the European Union without the required permits.
- You do not have proof of legal origin (invoice, transfer document, etc.) of your specimens of Annex B species or the information does not match.
- You keep specimens of Appendix I species without complying with the legal requierements.
- You use forged, invalid or altered documents without permission from the CITES Management Authority.
- You do not keep or keep an incomplete CITES register of entry and exit.
- You make a false declaration to obtain CITES documents.
- You do not return expired, used or invalid CITES documents (certificates and permits) to the CITES Management Authority.
Penalties
In case of violation, the law provides for the following penalties:
- a fine between 208 euros and 400 000 euros,
- an emprisonment between 6 months and 5 years.
The penalties are determined based on the severity of the offence, the location and the market value of the specimens of protected species involved.
In addition, the specimens concerned may be confiscated and placed in a sanctuary. In this case, the costs of detention may also be borne by the offender.
legal basis
European Union
- Council Regulation (CE) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein
- Commission Regulation (CE) No 865/2006 of 4 May 2006 laying down detailed rules concerning the implementation of Council Regulation (CE) no 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flroa by regulating trade therein
Belgium
(Legal basis available in French, Dutch and German)
- Loi du 28 juillet 1981 portant approbation de la Convention sur le commerce international des espèces de faune et de flore sauvages menacées d'extinction , et des Annexes, faites à Washington le 3 mars 1973, ainsi que l'Amendement à la Convention, adopté à Bonn le 22 juin 1979
- Arrêté royal du 9 avril 2003 relatif à la protection des espèces de faune et de flore sauvages par le contrôle de leur commerce
- Arrêté royal du 20 septembre 2005 portant exécution de l'article 5bis de la loi du 28 juillet 1981 portant approbation de la Convention sur le commerce international des espèces de faune et de flore sauvages menacées d'extinction, et des Annexes, faites à Washington le 3 mars 1973, ainsi que de l'Amendement à la Convention, adopté à Bonn le 22 juin 1979