Purchasing, selling and engaging in a commercial activity with endangered species to and from the European Union

1. Do you wish to import specimens from a country located outside the European Union?

If you import Annex A, B, C, and D species into Belgium from a third country (country outside the EU), you require:

1. an export or re-export permit from the country of origin (for Annexes A, B and C), which can be applied for via the CITES department of the country of origin;

2. an import permit (for Annexes A and B) issued by the CITES department, which can be applied for online via the CITES database
or
an import notification (for the Belgian Annexes C and D), which can be applied for online via the CITES database.

2. Do you wish to export specimens to a country located outside the European Union?

If you (re-)export Annex A, B and C species to a country outside the EU, you require:

1. an export or re-export permit issued by the CITES department, which can be applied for online via the CITES database.

Example:
If you purchase an animal or plant in Switzerland (not a member of the European Union), you need a Belgian import permit and a Swiss export permit.

If you export watches with monitor skin straps (Annex BII) to Switzerland, you will require a (re-)export permit, which can be applied for from the CITES department.

Summary table of the documents required: