Check those CITES certificates!

[Passerine123]

Hi All, just a reminder that if you buy an exotic product that says it comes with CITES, ask the seller to send a copy of the certificate to you in advance so that you can confirm it actually matches the item you're purchasing. I just took delivery of a beautiful Gucci crocodile bag (it's gorgeous and looks almost never used, I do love it) which came with a CITES certificate. However, when I looked closely at the certificate, it was for a different item -- which was made from reticulated python, not croco.

I immediately contacted the seller (yes, they should have checked this beforehand, but it's a well regarded seller and mistakes do happen) to point out the problem. They immediately got back in touch with the original owner who is looking through her bags and paperwork to see if she accidentally matched the certificate with the wrong bag (if we get it sorted then of course I will send back the CITES paperwork I now have so she can put it with the right bag).

Anyway, a head's up that it's not enough for a seller to say the exotic item has CITES paperwork -- it has to be the right paperwork.

 

[heatherrm1]

Thanks for the information! Definitely needed

 

[quinsimple]

Hi All, just a reminder that if you buy an exotic product that says it comes with CITES, ask the seller to send a copy of the certificate to you in advance so that you can confirm it actually matches the item you're purchasing. I just took delivery of a beautiful Gucci crocodile bag (it's gorgeous and looks almost never used, I do love it) which came with a CITES certificate. However, when I looked closely at the certificate, it was for a different item -- which was made from reticulated python, not croco.

I immediately contacted the seller (yes, they should have checked this beforehand, but it's a well regarded seller and mistakes do happen) to point out the problem. They immediately got back in touch with the original owner who is looking through her bags and paperwork to see if she accidentally matched the certificate with the wrong bag (if we get it sorted then of course I will send back the CITES paperwork I now have so she can put it with the right bag).

Anyway, a head's up that it's not enough for a seller to say the exotic item has CITES paperwork -- it has to be the right paperwork.

How do you verify it's the correct certificate for your specific item? If your item is Croc and certificate says Croc that's not a unique certificate for your specific piece.
Is there a place on CITES that specifies anything about the item (serial #, or description)?

 

[Passerine123]

How do you verify it's the correct certificate for your specific item? If your item is Croc and certificate says Croc that's not a unique certificate for your specific piece.
Is there a place on CITES that specifies anything about the item (serial #, or description)?

Yes, the certificate includes the brand, type of item, item description and year made.

 

[Jaepiwon]

Is it possible to request a new cites from the store the bag is purchased from? I want to buy a hermes alligator, the bag is incl a receipt but without cites. The bag is only a few years old but the receipt is on another person’s name..does anyone know?