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Importing Your Leopard or

African Elephant Trophy

Do I need a permit?Yes, you need import and export permitsto bring a personal sport-hunted trophyof either a leopard or African elephant(with the exception given in the nextsection) into the United States. Exceptfor elephants taken in Botswana,Namibia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe, the

African elephant and leopard areprotected in Appendix I, the highestdegree of protection under theConvention on International Trade inEndangered Species of Wild Fauna andFlora (CITES). Also, leopards fromcountries in southern Africa and allAfrican elephants are listed asthreatened under the U.S. EndangeredSpecies Act (Act). Leopards fromnorthern or central Africa are listed asendangered under the Act, and theService has never issued a permit for theimport of a leopard trophy taken in theseareas.

What permits do I need for Africanelephant trophies taken in Botswana,Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe?The populations of elephants from thesefour countries are listed in Appendix IIto allow for trade in certain productsonly, one of which is the noncommercialexport of personal sport-hunted trophies.Thus, an import permit is not requiredeven though the African elephant is stilllisted as threatened under the Act.Under a special rule, the Service mustensure that each country has an ivory

quota for the year of export anddetermine that the import of a sport-hunted trophy will enhance the survivalof the species. We have made thesefindings for Botswana, Namibia, SouthAfrica, and Zimbabwe. They will remainin effect until we find, based on newinformation, that the conditions of the

special rule are no longer met and wehave published a notice of any change intheFederal Register.Except forinformation specific to import permits,all other information in this fact sheetapplies to the import of trophies fromthese four countries.

Can I re-export the ivory of my elephanttrophy?No. Although all parts of a sport-huntedAfrican elephant may be imported, theivory may not be re-exported from theUnited States, including the ivory ofAppendix-II populations of elephantstaken in Botswana, Namibia, SouthAfrica, and Zimbabwe.

Why are permits necessary?The main purpose of CITES and the Actis to conserve protected wildlife forfuture generations. One of the reasonsthe African elephant and leopard wereafforded their current protection is toreduce the pressure placed on them bypoaching and trade in ivory, and thefashion industrys use of spotted cat fur.

Permits monitor the internationalmovement of wildlife in trade. For speciesprotected under the Act and included inAppendix I, permits ensure specimensare:

! Legally acquired.

! Imported and exported in a mannerthat will enhance the survival of thespecies, with no detrimental effects onwild populations.

!

Not traded commercially.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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What information does the Serviceneed from the species range country?Before an import permit can be issued,the Service must determine that theimport will not be for purposesdetrimental to the survival of the speciesand, for elephants, will enhance itssurvival. The Service looks at the overallmanagement program for a species ineach country. Factors considered mayinclude the biological needs of the

species, possible threats to thepopulations, current populationestimates, quotas, management plans,legal protection, implementation, localcommunity involvement, and use ofhunting fees for conservation.

Obtaining the information onmanagement programs may entail alengthy collaborative process betweenthe country of export and the Service. Attimes delays occur due to communicationdifficulties or political instability.

How long will it take to get an importpermit?Apply for a permit at least 60 days beforeyour departure date. Generally, less timeis needed to process import permitapplications for leopards and elephantsfrom countries for which the Service hasrecent information and that meet ourobligations under CITES. Thesecountries currently are:

! Leopard: Botswana, Namibia, SouthAfrica, Tanzania, Zambia, andZimbabwe.

! African elephant: Tanzania.

These countries may change, however, ifthe Service receives significant newinformation. You may apply for a permitto import a trophy from other countries,but you should allow more time for yourapplication to be processed and a decisionto be made, since applications arereviewed on a case-by-case basis and thisoffice may need to contact the foreigncountry for information.

What should I know before I go hunting?! A CITES permit for a leopard or

elephant trophy is for the specificanimal taken by the hunter for his orher own use only.

! Only two leopard trophies may beimported by a hunter in one calendaryear.

! You may not import skins or productsof leopard purchased as souvenirs. Youmay import leather goods of elephantsthat originated in South Africa orZimbabwe for your own non-commercial use without an importpermit. You may not import suchproducts originating in othercountries. All ivory, including carvingsand jewelry, may not be imported intothe United States.

What steps should I take?1. Obtain an import permit from thisoffice (except for elephants hunted inBotswana, Namibia, South Africa, andZimbabwe). You may want to take a copyof your permit when you leave on safarias some outfitters require a client toshow that an import permit has beenissued before scheduling the hunt. Leavethe original permit at home as you willneed topresent it at the time the trophyis imported into the United States.

2. Comply with allforeign laws duringyour hunt.

3. Obtain a CITES export permit fromthe CITES Management Authority inthe country where theanimal was hunted. A copyof the import permit, ifAppenix-I trophies, willneed to be provided by theperson who applies for theexport permit.

4. Check expiration dates onyour import and exportpermits before having thetrophy shipped to you. You couldlose your trophy if it enters theUnited States after your permits haveexpired. Import permits are valid for oneyear, and export permits for six months,as required by CITES. If the importpermit expires before the trophy isimported, you need to apply for a newpermit. Return the original unusedpermit, a newly completed renewalapplication form, and the processing fee.

Allow at least 30 days for processing.

5. Import through a United States portdesignated for wildlife. If you plan to usea non-designated port, request thatexception at the time you apply for theimport permit. Otherwise, you will needto apply for a separate Designated PostException permit (Form 3-200-2). Youwill be charged additional fees at the time

of import to cover the costs incurred bythe Service for using a non-designatedport.

6. Speak with the Service wildlifeinspector at the port of entry to arrangefor inspection at least 72 hours prior toimport. At the time of import, you willneed to present the original import andexport permits, as well as a completedDeclaration for Importation or

Exportation of Fish or Wildlife (Form 3-177, obtained at the port).

U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceInternational AffairsDivision of Management Authority4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 700Arlington, VA 22203703/358-2104 or 800/358-2104Fax 703/358-2281e-mail: managementauthority@fws.govhttp://international.fws.govhttp://permits.fws.gov

Summer 2003