Main information

The CITES registration of a scientist or scientific institution allows simplified transfer of specimens of endangered species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) across the external borders of the European Union to third countries. This facilitated transfer can only take place between scientists and scientific institutions duly registered with the CITES Secretariat. It applies only to non-commercial loans, gifts and exchanges of herbarium specimens, museum specimens that are preserved, dried in preservation media, and live plant material for scientific study. CITES permits are not required for the export or import of approved specimens in exchanges between registered scientists and scientific institutions; the consignment is merely accompanied by the labels that the registered person receives upon registration.

The registration of a scientist or scientific institution can be carried out on the basis of an application by the Ministry of the Environment, which then informs the CITES Secretariat, which maintains the global register of CITES scientists and scientific institutions.

This applies to you if

You are a natural or legal person and you intend to regularly exchange with other scientific institutions (e.g. universities, museums, zoological and botanical gardens, etc.) in third countries (outside the European Union) specimens of endangered species that are herbarium or preserved museum specimens, dried in a preservation medium, or live plant material intended for scientific study.

When to use this service

You can use the service at any time.

Service settlement

What you need if you are using this service

The application for registration must include:

• an application for registration (cover letter - no form is specified) - name and address of the institution, brief justification of the application (what is requested - please also specify under which legal regulation - i.e. application for registration of Institute XXX as a scientific institution according to § 16 of Act No 100/2004 Coll.);
• a completed Registration Card form - see Document Request Forms (Annex 2);
• a power of attorney for the person responsible for handling the application (does not need to be certified);
• a description of scientific activities related to the exchange of collection specimens with other scientists and scientific institutions;
• what specimens and species will be exchanged, how often and the expected number;
• with which specimens and which scientific institutions abroad and in which countries the exchange of collection specimensis envisaged (according to the list of registered entities).

Where and how to solve this service

The application for registration of a scientist or scientific institution (with all supporting documents) can be submitted in person at the filing office of the Ministry of the Environment or sent by post to:

Ministerstvo životního prostředí, oddělení mezinárodních úmluv​​​​​​​The filing office is located at the same address.

Applications are dealt with in an administrative procedure and a decision is issued within 30 days from initiation of the procedure. (The procedure shall be initiated on the date of receipt of the application.)

How much will you pay

None

Additional information

What is the benefit of this service

Byregistering as a CITES scientist or scientific institution , you are allowed simplified transfer of specimens of endangered species across the external borders of the European Union to third countries, for which you do not need a CITES permit.

Appeal options

An appeal against the decision to register/not register a scientist or scientific institution may be lodged within 15 days of its delivery, in accordance with § 152 of Act No 500/2004 Coll., Administrative Code, to the Minister of the Environment via the Ministry at:

Ministerstvo životního prostředí, oddělení mezinárodních úmluv

An exception is when the addressee has waived the right to file an appeal.

Legislation

Sanctions

None

Frequently asked questions

None