ISM MUSIC JOURNAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 | LEGAL & BUSINESS
Applying for a CITES permit or certificate Since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, if you wish to work abroad you may require a CITES permit or certificate. Anna Wynne, ISM’s Advice & Information Officer provides you with a summary of the requirements
Above: Anna Wynne Photo: Yvonne Thompson
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in the country you are travelling to by contacting The Convention on International Trade in Endangered the CITES authority in that country. Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known as CITES, is an international agreement between governments which 2. The form itself. For a musical instrument certificate aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of when travelling with a single instrument, you wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival can use the FED0172 certificate. We also provide a of the species. completed sample form for you to refer to when completing your own application. Since the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU), if you move an instrument containing a species 3. Where to send your application. Applications can protected by CITES between Great Britain (England, be sent by post or email and the application should Scotland and Wales) and the EU, and Great Britain and be processed within 15 working days. Northern Ireland, then you will have to comply with If your application is accepted, you will receive a this agreement. So, if you travel to the EU to perform printed, signed and stamped permit or certificate in at a festival or are part of an orchestra that plans to the post. If not, you will be sent a letter explaining why tour the EU you will need to apply for a CITES permit or it has been refused. certificate. If you do not have a valid CITES permit or certificate you As we move on beyond the coronavirus pandemic could face a fine or even a prison sentence. and start to work in Europe, to help you apply for Further information about applying for a CITES permit your CITES permit we have an advice page and or certificate can be obtained from gov.uk/guidance/ sample form on our website: ism.org/advice/ apply-for-cites-permits-and-certificates-to-tradeapplying-for-a-cites-permit-or-certificate endangered-species and if you require any further Within our advice page we look at: assistance, please contact our legal department at 1. What you must check before applying. This includes legal@ism.org where our team will be happy to help. checking the correct scientific name for the relevant species contained in your instrument, for example, one of the scientific names for ivory is Elephas maximus; and what the requirements are
