Title
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Dates of the instrument
Signature: 03 March 1973
Entry into force*: 01 July 1975
Summary
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement that regulates trade in endangered species through a permit system to ensure sustainable trade. Through its resolutions and decisions, the Convention promotes the modernization of trade documentation and procedures through electronic solutions.
Key paperless trade provisions, found in Decision 19.150 to 19.152 Electronic systems and information technology and Resolution Conf. 12.3 (Rev. CoP19), include:
- Implementation standards for the eCITES system
- Electronic permit and certificate protocols
- Digital validation procedures for trade documents
- Electronic data exchange between national authorities
- Automated permit verification systems
- Integration with national single windows
- Security requirements for electronic documentation
- Standards for electronic CITES permits
- Digital tracking of specimen movements
- Electronic risk assessment procedures
Website(s)
Relevant document(s)
Geographical coverage
Global
Legal nature
Treaties/Conventions
Trade processes
Border and Regulatory Processes
Trade documents
Non-preferential Certificate of Origin (CoO)
CITES Permit/Certificate (CPC)
Contact point
* For a model law – entry into force of the law enacting a model law; for a treaty–entry into force
Last Update: 10 February 2025