Public Servant Lifestyle

Defra's guide to trade hotspots around the world.

Sri Lanka & The Maldives

Watch out for shops selling entire turtle shells, or bracelets, earrings and hair clips made from 'tortoiseshell'. These can not be brought back to the EU. Some of the corals for sale will require an export permit to be brought back home.

The Philippines

Remembering your holiday with a sea shell is tempting, but some come from endangered species, like the giant clam. You will need an export permit to bring one home.

India, Nepal & Pakistan

Skins from leopards, jaguars, tigers and other protected cats are quite often available in smaller shops and frontier markets. These can not be brought back legally into the EU. You may also come across garments using 'Shahtoosh'. This wool comes from a critically endangered species of Tibetan antelope and again international trade is banned.

Africa

Ivory and elephant product souvenirs can be found for sale in shops, hotels and markets, in many African (and Asian) countries. Only in the case of Zimbabwe, can these be brought back to the EU. (Travellers may return home with a limited number of ivory or elephant hide products so long as they are for personal use only and not resold. There are maximum allowances per person and the seller must give you a personal effects export permit issued by the Zimbabwean Government which you will have to show to UK Customs on your return.) This does not apply to any other country where all trade is banned and elephant and ivory products should be avoided altogether.

Each year UK Customs make many seizures from holidaymakers and business travellers returning from Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, the Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania.

Watch out too for succulents from South Africa and orchids. (NB: Madagascar doesn't ban the trade in their wild plants) Many of these are banned from trade. Others will require an export permit.

Far East,Thailand & Indonesia

Flower markets offer protected species of orchids or carnivorous plants for sale. Cut flowers bought from reputable stores may be exempt from controls. Watch out too for anything made from snake and lizard skin - many species are protected by *Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It may be illegal to bring some products such as briefcases, handbags and shoes back to this country. Others will require an export permit.

Mexico

Be wary if you are offered cacti by anyone other than a reputable nursery. Many species are banned from trade and even seeds from Mexican species originating in Mexico (NB this is an important distinction) require an export permit.

Cuba & The Caribbean

Travellers should be aware that most of the hard coral species (i.e.: those commonly sold as souvenirs) that occur in Cuban and Caribbean waters are listed on CITES. This includes species described as Black coral, Cable or Bush coral, Hump coral, Fire coral and Lace coral. As with the shells of the Queen conch, these all require a CITES export permit to be brought back. The same goes for many of the reptile skin products that you may be offered, as well as many orchids.

Elsewhere

This is not an exhaustive list - many of these products can be found at almost any tourist destination. Even in Europe, coats and bags made out of jaguar, leopard or other protected cat species may be available, as can jewellery made of tortoiseshell and ivory and traditional medicines derived from rhinos and tigers.

For more information, and to check whether you can bring back a particular item, contact either Defra's Global Wildlife Division on: 0117 372 8749, call the Defra Public enquiries line: 08459 335577 or visit the Defra website here.

*Statistical information for seizures under CITES can be found in the HM Revenue & Customs Spring Report at www.hmrc.gov.uk

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