New CITES Requirements for Rosewoods to Take Effect January 2, 2017

Beginning January 2, 2017, wood and wood products of rosewoods and palisanders (Dalbergia spp), bubingas (Guibourtia spp), and kosso or African rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus) must be accompanied by a Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) permit issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export or re-export. Shipments arriving in the destination country on or after January 2, 2017, without the required CITES documents may be held and seized or refused clearance.

Shippers who have CITES-listed rosewood shipments that are already in route and will arrive in the destination country on or after January 2, 2017, should contact their CITES Management Authority (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the United States) to determine whether retrospectively issued documents may be issued by the exporting/re-exporting country and accepted by the importing country.

As a reminder, shipments that contain only CITES-listed plants and plant material must be imported and exported through a designated port.

For further information, please view the question and answer document posted on the FWS web site explaining the new CITES requirements. Additional resources are also available including recently recorded webinars that provide guidance for commercial timber and wood product traders and traveling musicians.

For additional information on APHIS’ role in CITES enforcement, please visit the APHIS web site.