Just want to give you a heads up regarding imports that get delayed while in transit on which U.S. CITES import permits are due to expire before the shipment arrives across any U.S. Border point. In the past if we could demonstrate that the shipment departed the country of origin and would have arrived in the U.S. on or before the expiration date but for some hang-up by the airline at an interim overseas point Fish and Wildlife would accept the CITES permit without a hassle.

However, since May 1, 2008 all Export CITES permits must be validated in block 14 or the shipment will be refused entry Fish and Wildlife's new tact, in the above instance, is to refuse the shipment and either order re-export or destruction of the shipment. Therefore when speaking with your clients make sure they are aware of this new policy and if their permit is within 30 days of expiration suggest that they apply for a renewal as soon as possible as it takes 30-45 days to issue the renewal. An application for renewal that is fillable on screen and can be printed out, signed in blue ink and returned with the original U.S. CITES permit and a check for $100. is available on this website.

Same would apply on any Export CITES permits that may be close to their 180 day expiration should be renewed just in case there is a hang up with space allocation on the booked flight leaving the country of origin.