Tips for Travelers
Going abroad? Think twice about the souvenirs you buy.
You’ll find many wildlife and plant products for
sale around the world. As an international traveler, you can support
conservation worldwide by asking questions and learning the facts
before you buy any wildlife or plant product. Just because you find
an item for sale does not mean it is legal to import. Some of these
products may be made from illegally taken animals or plants and may
not be exported or imported. Others may require permits before you
can bring them home to the United States. By making informed choices,
you can avoid losing your souvenir or paying a fine.
Most countries protect their native animals and plants
under national laws and through the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Signed by
more than 160 nations including the United States, this treaty supports
sustainable trade in wildlife and plants while protecting species
at risk.
In addition to international agreements, U.S. laws provide
even stronger protections for such animals as marine mammals, elephants,
and wild birds. If the country you’re visiting bans the sale
or export of a species, you cannot legally import it here.
What You Need to Know
Before you go shopping overseas, make sure that the
country you’re visiting allows the export of its native species
or other wildlife that you buy or acquire there. Many nations now
prohibit or require permits for trade in wildlife and plants
Remember that resource protection laws and treaties
not only cover live animals and plants, but also mounted specimens,
foods, parts, and products made from or decorated with fur, hide,
skin, feathers, scales, shell, antlers, horns, teeth, claws, or bones.
When you return to the United States, you must declare
all wildlife, wildlife products, and plants. You may need permits
for some items. Others are always off limits.
The guidelines below apply to wildlife items that you
carry with you or bring back in your checked luggage for your personal
use. Stricter prohibitions may apply if you mail or ship your purchases
home.
Sea turtles:
Ivory:
Furs:
Primates:
Wildlife Wools:
Birds:
Feathers and
Bird Parts:
Reptiles
and Reptilian Leathers:
Fish & Shellfish:
Caviar:
Coral and Shells:
Traditional
Asian Medicines:
Injurious Wildlife:
Plants:
Other possible problems
The legality of a wildlife or plant souvenir may depend
on both the species involved and the country where you bought it.
Examples include products made from pangolin (an Asian anteater);
caiman and crocodilian leathers; and mounted butterflies, moths,
and insects. If you are importing a bird or any other live animal,
wildlife food products, or live plants, contact U.S.
agriculture
officials before you return to the United States. U.S. laws and regulations
generally prohibit the importation of bushmeat, regardless of the
species involved.
If you have questions about wildlife purchases before
you travel, check with a Service wildlife
inspection office
. When overseas, contact local resource protection agencies and /or
the country’s
CITES
Management Authority
. For permit information, visit the Service’s
permits
website.
|