CITES is an international agreement that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. It regulates trade through a system of permits and certificates, and by establishing quotas for certain species.
CITES certificates are issued by a designated national management authority in each country that is a party to the Convention. The process for obtaining a CITES certificate varies from country to country, but generally involves submitting an application form, providing documentation to support the legality of the source of the specimen, and paying a fee.
CITES certificates typically include information about the species, specimen (e.g., quantity, description), importer and exporter, purpose of the transaction, and source of the specimen. They also bear a unique identification number for tracking purposes.
The import, export, or re-export of regulated species without a valid CITES certificate is often illegal and can carry significant penalties, including fines or imprisonment.