Management & Scientific Authorities

International Affairs
 
Permit Application Process for Appendix-III Native Turtles "Farm" Production

Export Permits issued off of an Annual Master File

  1. Once an annual Master file has been established, the Division of Management Authority will issue you a number of single-use export permits. Each time you export, your shipment must be accompanied by one of these permits. Each permit will be partially completed with your facility name, the species that you will be exporting and the size (2 inches or less for map turtles and 3 inches or less for alligator snapping turtles) of the specimens. You will need to fill in the name and foreign address of the consignee (Block 4 of the permit) and the quantity of turtles being exported (Block 11 of the permit).

  2. As stated above, when you submit your application to establish an annual Master File, you need to identify in your cover letter the number of export permits you believe you will need in the first 5-6 months after the listing of these turtles goes into effect. Each permit will be valid for 6 months (i.e., must be used within 6 months of the date the species was listed by CITES). The Division of Management Authority can not refund or renew any 6-month permit that has expired.

  3. Since your annual Master File is valid for one year, you may request as many export permits during that one year period as you believe you will need. It is expected that your request for the first batch of export permits will occur before these species are officially listed (i.e., June 14). As such, we will issue this batch with the effective date of June 14 (in other words, we will be post-dating these permits). Once the species are officially listed, we will make the effective date of all subsequent permits the date on which the permits were actually issued. Therefore, when you request your first batch of permits, please only request the number you believe you will use in the first 5 to 6 months.

  4. After 4 or 5 months of using these permits, the Division of Management Authority recommends that you re-evaluate the number of permits you will need for the next 6 month period. At that time, please submit a letter to the Division of Management Authority requesting any additional permits you need. Your letter should contain the following information and a $5 processing fee for each permit requested:
  • Your facility name
  • Your annual Master File number (this number will be clearly displayed on the documentation that the Division of Management Authority sends to you at the time your Master file is approved).
  • The number of additional permits needed for the upcoming 6 months.
  • Address where you wish permits to be mailed and overnight billing information (if desired).
  • Name of the person we should contact if we have questions.
  • Signature of Principal Officer.

    The processing time to receive additional export permits will be approximately 2 weeks.
Information on how to establish an annual Master file is also available.
Last updated: November 20, 2008
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