As of January 2, 2017 new CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) regulations were introduced for importing any Dalbergia (commonly known as Rosewood) from a country outside the EU. You will need to obtain an export permit from the country from where the shipment originates in order to make your application for a UK CITES import permit. You should not attempt to import any items until both permits are in place. If the goods arrive without permits, the items will be liable to seizure by UK Border Force. The new process is not applicable for shipments within the EU.
Application forms for UK permits can be downloaded from the GOV.UK website along with helpful guidance to completing the forms. Please note there is a fee to process each application.
The fee is payable up front and is non-refundable, even if the Animal and Plant Health Agency are unable to issue a permit.
Applications should be sent via post or email the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) Centre for International Trade – Bristol. The standard turnaround time is 15 working days from receipt of a completed, paid for application. You would need to contact any other country you are trading with to see how long their processes take and if any additional fees apply. APHA’s contact information is below:
Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
Centre for International Trade – Bristol
Horizon House
Deanery Road
Bristol
BS1 5AH
Tel: +44 (0) 3000 200 301
Email: wildlife.licensing@apha.gsi.gov.uk
Contacts for all countries signed up to CITES can be found on the CITES website.