CITES Explained for UK Parrot Buyers
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is the international treaty governing the trade of over 38,000 species. For parrot buyers in the UK, understanding CITES is essential — it is the legal foundation for every legitimate parrot transaction.
What is CITES?
Established in 1963 and currently signed by 183 countries, CITES regulates international trade in wildlife and wildlife products to prevent it driving species toward extinction. The treaty classifies species into three appendices based on conservation status:
- Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction. Commercial trade is highly restricted and requires both export and import permits. Parrots in this category include the African Grey (Psittacus erithacus), Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), and Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao).
- Appendix II: Species not currently threatened but potentially harmed by uncontrolled trade. Commercial trade is allowed but requires export documentation. Most commercial parrot species fall here — Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, Amazon Parrots, Eclectus, Conures, Cockatoos.
- Appendix III: Species listed at the request of individual countries for specific regulation. Rare in parrot trade.
Post-Brexit CITES requirements for the UK
Since the United Kingdom left the EU's single market, parrots imported from EU countries (including Spain) require additional documentation. The key requirements are:
- Appendix I species: require a Spanish CITES export permit AND a UK CITES import permit (Article 10 certificate issued by APHA — Animal and Plant Health Agency). The UK importer must apply for the import permit before the bird travels.
- Appendix II species: require a Spanish CITES export permit and a UK notification form. The process is less restrictive than Appendix I but still mandatory.
- Veterinary health certificate: all live animals entering the UK from the EU must have a veterinary health certificate issued in the country of origin within 10 days of travel.
- Border inspection: all imports must go through a Border Control Post (BCP) equipped to handle live animals. Not all UK airports qualify — we will advise on the appropriate entry point for your bird.
What we provide
Paraíso de Aves handles all Spanish documentation — export permits, veterinary health certificates, species certificates — from our end. We will guide you through the process of obtaining your UK import permit and recommend an APHA-registered agent if you prefer professional assistance with the paperwork. We have completed this process dozens of times and know every step thoroughly.
