Commercial use of endangered species: check if you need an Article 10 CITES certificate
Check if you need an Article 10 certificate for commercial use of endangered species on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list.
You must have a commercial use certificate, known as an Article 10 certificate, for any specimen listed by CITES in annex A that you plan to:
- use for commercial gain in any way
- keep for sale
- offer for sale
- transport for sale
- display to the public for commercial purposes
- breed from to sell individual offspring, even if you do not plan to sell the parents (which must be uniquely and permanently marked according to regulations)
A specimen is a living or dead animal or plant or any of its parts – or an item made from these. Use the search on Species+ to find out if your specimen is from species listed in annex A.
Before you apply
You must check if you need a CITES permit to import or export endangered species.
It is a criminal offence to use commercially:
- any specimen listed under annex A of the CITES list without a valid certificate
- any specimen listed in annex B that has been imported illegally
You could get a prison sentence of up to 5 years or an unlimited fine.
Marking species
You must mark specimens according to European regulation Article 66 of EC Reg 865/2006. The marking needed depends on what the specimen is.
Most live specimens must have one of the following:
- an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) compliant, uniquely numbered microchip
- a uniquely numbered seamless closed ring for birds
If you need help marking specimens, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at wildlife.licencing@apha.gov.uk.
Buying endangered species
Before you buy a species that is listed under annex A in the CITES list, you must make sure the seller has a valid Article 10 certificate or a CITES import permit that allows a single commercial sale.
Apply for an Article 10 certificate
Use the apply for a CITES permit service to apply for an Article 10 certificate.
How long it takes
APHA aims to process your application within 30 days. Your application will be assessed based on review by scientific advisers at:
- the Royal Botanical Garden, Kew – for plants
- the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) – for animals
If your application is accepted, you’ll get a printed, signed and stamped permit or certificate in the post.
If your application is refused, APHA will send you a letter explaining why.
Types of Article 10 certificates
Depending on APHA’s assessment of your application, you will either get a Specimen Specific Certificate (SSC) or a Transaction Specific Certificate (TSC).
Specimen Specific Certificates
APHA issues SSCs for a specimen (not a permit holder) which must stay with the specimen for its life. You must give the SSC to the person buying the specimen at the time of the first sale and all future sales.
You can apply for an SSC for an individual specimen. SSCs are valid for all commercial use, no matter who owns the specimen, unless the description of the specimen on the certificate changes.
SSCs issued in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) are only valid for use in Great Britain. Existing SSCs issued by either the UK or an EU member state on or before 31 December 2020, and located in Great Britain, continue to be valid in Great Britain.
SSCs issued in Northern Ireland are valid for use in Northern Ireland and the EU. Existing SSCs issued by either the UK or an EU member state on or before 31 December 2020, and located in Northern Ireland, are valid in Northern Ireland and the EU.
APHA only issues SSCs if:
- the specimen was introduced into the UK or the EU before it was listed in annex A or it was legally imported after that date
- the specimens are captive bred, which means they were born in captivity to 2 generations or beyond (captive breeding involves more than just breeding in a cage, aviary or enclosure – if you’re not sure, email APHA at wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk)
- the specimens must be uniquely and permanently marked according to regulations
Transaction Specific Certificates
APHA may issue a TSC for an individual specimen to a specific holder if the specimen:
- does not meet the criteria to be issued with an SSC
- is not correctly marked
TSCs are only valid for the person or business named on the certificate.
You will see a statement on the TSC telling you what you can use it for. This might be for:
- one sale only by the person named on the certificate, from the address shown
- educational display, no sale
- breeding, no sale
The person buying the specimen must then apply for a new certificate if they plan to use the specimen for any commercial purpose.
Returning a certificate when you sell
When you sell a specimen, you must make sure that you:
- show the new owner your Article 10 certificate and reference number, or give them a photocopy of your certificate clearly marked with ‘copy for information only’
- return the TSC to APHA immediately after passing the specimen over to another person
If you cannot give the new owner a copy of the Article 10 certificate, you can give them an invoice quoting the number on the certificate.
Other restrictions
Tigers, bears and rhinos: stricter controls
There are some exceptions to the usual CITES controls. In the UK, stricter measures apply to the following species:
- tigers (Panthera tigris) and any parts or derivatives
- bear (Ursidae) – bile, paws and gall bladders
- rhino (Rhinocerotidae) and rhino horn
If you intend to trade or move specimens from any of these species, you must email APHA before you apply at wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk.
Elephant ivory
If you intend to trade or move elephant ivory, read the guide on dealing in items containing ivory or made of ivory.
Exemptions
You do not need an Article 10 certificate to own or trade in specimens of species listed in annex B of the CITES regulations. However, you must be able to give evidence that you got the specimens lawfully.
Single commercial use exemption
If you’re applying for an import permit for an annex A specimen, you can ask APHA for special permission to allow you the first sale of the specimen, without an Article 10 certificate. You must make sure the specimen is marked properly before it’s imported.
You must return expired permits to APHA.
The specimen’s new owner must get an Article 10 certificate if they want to use the specimen commercially.
Special exemptions
There are specific circumstances where you do not need an Article 10 certificate.
These include:
- owning or giving away an annex A CITES specimen
- a specimen within a worked item or finished product that you acquired in its finished state before 3 March 1947
- specimens of certain animal species (or hybrids of them) born and bred in captivity and listed in annex X of EC Regulation 865/2006
- artificially propagated specimens of plant species
- dead specimens of crocodile (Crocodylia) species included in annex A with source code D, as long as they’re legally marked or identified as per the regulation
- caviar of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and its hybrids, with source code D, as long as it’s in a legally marked container
Gifts and donations
You do not need an Article 10 certificate if you want to:
- give your specimens away
- use or display them for non-commercial purposes
If you receive a specimen as a gift, you must complete the WLRS02 form to confirm a gift or unconditional loan of a specimen that did not involve a commercial transaction.
You may not be allowed to sell a specimen that was a gift if there’s not enough information about how it was gifted.
You should ask the person who gave it to you for:
- the specimen’s origin
- details on how they came to possess the specimen
- previous certificates and permits or other documentation, including non-CITES paperwork, to show legal origin and previous possession
- their contact details
APHA may need to check this information if the new owner applies for an Article 10 certificate.
You’ll need to apply for an Article 10 certificate if:
- the gift involves some other type of exchange or benefit, including a charitable donation
- you’re receiving the gift and plan to use the specimen for commercial purposes
Get help
If you need help with your application, contact the APHA team at wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk.
Updates to this page
Last updated 8 October 2024 + show all updates
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Updated the page to provide guidance on the Apply for a CITES permit service, which has replaced paper application forms to get an Article 10 CITES certificate. Added a new section on exemptions to make content on exemptions clearer.
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Added link to guidance for dealing in items containing ivory or made of ivory.
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Updated Specimen Specific Certificates (SSCs) section. SSCs issued in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) are valid in GB. SSCs issued in Northern Ireland are valid in NI and the EU. Updated Transaction Specific Certificates (TSCs) section. TSCs are only valid for the person or business named on the certificate.
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Added information about elephant ivory, and specimens intended for display.
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First published.