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Provisions on the protection of species

Today, many animal and plant species throughout the world are endangered in their existence or even threatened by extinction. Both, at the international and the national level, regulations have been adopted for the protection of these species, which have an impact on international trade to a varying degree.

If you wish to import goods that are listed in the Washington Agreement on the Protection of Species, or the EU Regulations on the Protection of Species, you must show to the customs officer the documents regarding the protection of the species required in every case, which will depend on the level of protection afforded to the animals or plants. At present, you may only take with you a maximum of three rain sticks (i.e. musical instruments made of cactus wood) and 125 grams of caviar, without requiring any documents regarding the protection of these species.

When buying ivory carvings, items made of tropical woods or tortoise shell, as well as orchids or cactuses, inter alia, you should therefore bear in mind that you will need the necessary documents regarding the protection of species for exporting them from the country of your holiday destination, as well as for importing them into Austria. You should contact the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, the Environment and Water Management (phone: +43 (0) 1 51522; http://www.lebensministerium.at/) or your customs office (at best before departing on your holiday) in order to obtain all necessary information.

• www.lebensministerium.at
• www.cites.at

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