§ 14.91 When do I need an import/export license?

FederalRegulations

Ask Donna

How this section applies to your facts.

Title 50—Wildlife and Fisheries > CHAPTER I—UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR > SUBCHAPTER B—TAKING, POSSESSION, TRANSPORTATION, SALE, PURCHASE, BARTER, EXPORTATION, AND IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE AND PLANTS > PART 14—IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION, AND TRANSPORTATION OF WILDLIFE > Subpart I—Import/Export Licenses and Inspection Fees

This text was captured on Sep 22, 2026. It is a snapshot, not a live feed, so check the official code before relying on it.

Text

(a) The Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1)) makes it unlawful for any person to engage in business as an importer or exporter of certain fish or wildlife without first having obtained permission from the Secretary. For the purposes of this subchapter, engage in business means to import or export wildlife for commercial purposes.

(b) Except as provided in § 14.92, if you engage in the business of importing or exporting wildlife for commercial purposes (see § 14.4), you must obtain an import/export license prior to importing or exporting your wildlife shipment.

(c) The following table includes some examples of when an import/export license is required:

If I import into the United States or export from the United States

. . . do I need an import/exportlicense?

(1) Wildlife in the form of products such as garments, bags, shoes, boots, jewelry, rugs, trophies, or curios for commercial purposes

Yes.

(2) Wildlife in the form of hides, furs, or skins for commercial purposes

Yes.

(3) Wildlife in the form of food for commercial purposes

Yes.

(4) As an animal dealer, animal broker, pet dealer, or pet or laboratory supplier

Yes.

(5) As an individual owner of a personally owned live wildlife pet for personal use

No.

(6) As a collector or hobbyist for personal use

No.

(7) As a collector or hobbyist for commercial purposes, including sale, trade or barter

Yes.

(8) As a laboratory researcher or biomedical supplier for commercial purposes

Yes.

(9) As a customs broker or freight forwarder engaged in business as a dispatcher, handler, consolidator, or transporter of wildlife or if I file documents with the Service on behalf of others

No.

(10) As a common carrier engaged in business as a transporter of wildlife

No.

(11) As a taxidermist, outfitter, or guide importing or exporting my own hunting trophies for commercial purposes

Yes.

(12) As a taxidermist, outfitter, or guide transporting or shipping hunting trophies for clients or customers

No.

(13) As a U.S. taxidermist receiving a U.S. client's personal hunting trophies after import clearance for processing

No.

(14) As a U.S. taxidermist importing wildlife from or exporting wildlife to foreign owners who are requesting my services

Yes.

(15) As a foreign owner of wildlife exporting my personal hunting trophies from the United States to my home

No.

(16) As a circus for exhibition or resale purposes

Yes.

(17) As a Federal, State, municipal, or tribal agency

No.

(18) As a public museum, or public scientific or educational institution for noncommercial research or educational purposes

No.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

A word about cookies

We need a few to keep you signed in and the library working. The rest help us see which pages people use and where they get stuck. They stay off unless you say yes.