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Home > Tokyo Customs > 29. CITES（the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

29. CITES（the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

An item within your incoming mail appears to fall under CITES*.
(* the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

In addition to live animals and plants, processed goods such as leather goods, cosmetics, musical instruments, and herbal medicines are subject to this regulation.
Please note that items sent to you by friends or family members are also subject to this regulation.

Animals and plants regulated by CITES are classified into Appendix Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ according to their degree of endangerment, and each Appendix has different import restrictions.

≫If the item is applicable to Appendix Ⅰ of CITES
Please submit the following documents to Tokyo Overseas Mail Sub-branch Customs.
The original “Import Approval” will be returned to you after customs clearance. If you send this by mail, please be sure to enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
  • CITES Export Permit issued by the CITES management Authorities in the exporting country (original)
  • Import Approval issued by Ministry of Economic, Trade and Industry (original)

≫If the item is applicable to Appendix Ⅱ or Ⅲ of CITES
Please submit the CITES Export Permit issued by the CITES management Authorities in the exporting country (original).
For items originating from specific countries, etc., a “Certificate of prior confirmation” issued by the Ministry of Economic, Trade and Industry may also be required.

≫If the item is not subject to CITES regulations
Please obtain an invoice or other documentation from the exporter (store or manufacturer from which you purchased the product) with the scientific name (common international name in Latin) of the plant or animal species and submit it to Tokyo Overseas Mail Sub-branch Customs.

≫If the item is subject to CITES regulations, but without a CITES export permit
You will not be allowed to import the item.
Please contact Tokyo Overseas Mail Sub-branch Customs to return the mail or voluntarily relinquish the regulated items.

【Contact Information】

Export and Import Transaction Council,
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
TEL 03-3501-1723

【Related Links】 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry website “Import of goods related to the CITES”
https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/external_economy/CITES/cites_imports.html


【c.f.】 1808 Outline of import restrictions in accordance with CITES （Customs Answer）