Import & Export of Exotic Animals & Endangered Species
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Endangered Species (Import & Export) Act 1981
The Isle of Man has agreed to adhere to the principles of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, otherwise known as the Washington Convention or CITES. These principles are enshrined in law through the Endangered Species Act 2010 and its Order and Regulations. This legislation provides for the control and licensing of movements of restricted species and derived products from the Island overseas, or from overseas into the Island. This includes movements to and from the UK and Eire. It protects endangered species in the wild and allows the monitoring of trade and protection of species that are vulnerable to over-exploitation through trade.
A permit application form can be downloaded below. Completed forms should be returned to the Department, leaving at least two weeks for a response. Consult the department's Biodiversity Officers in the Forestry, Amenity and Lands Directorate for further advice or to check whether a species is on the current list of designated species (the Endangered Species Order 2011). This links Classes A, B and C with Annexes A, B and C (not D) of the EC CITES Regulations (Regulation 338/97), for which the full list is available from the UK DEFRA website.
Please note that there may also be health considerations for such movements: advice on health restrictions can be obtained from our Animal Health Officers in the Agriculture Directorate.
You may require similar licences for the same movements, from the other jurisdiction involved. For UK CITES advice, look at the UK DEFRA website.
Wild Animals (Restriction on Importation, etc.) Act 1980
 | In addition to the restrictions mentioned above, the Wild Animals (Restriction on Importation, etc.) Act 1980 restricts the import to the Island of animals on the schedule downloadable below. Such animals may only be imported under licence from the Department, for the purposes prescribed under the Act. These tend to be dangerous or venomous species, but some domestic types of dog are prohibited. An application form for an import licence for zoos, circuses or the film industry can be found below. Other reasons for import are not accepted. . |
Destructive Imported Animals Act 1963
The following animals may not be imported or kept in the Isle of Man without a licence from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture: Cervidae species (all deer) except those specified in the Schedule to the Wild Animals (Restriction on Importation, etc) Act 1980; Cricetus cricetus European hamster; Mustela vison mink; Myocaster coypus coypu; Sciurus carolinensis grey squirrel; and Sciurus vulgaris red squirrel. The very large European hamster, which could overwinter in the Isle of Man and become a pest, is not to be confused with the golden or Syrian hamster, commonly kept as a pet. The latter is not regulated under this legislation.
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