CITES, travel and exotics

[chanelprincess]

Hi all, quick question. I have purchased an alligator kelly dog bracelet from a reputable second hand company in Paris, they are sending to me in the UK. I have asked the seller who purchased the bracelet from Amsterdam if there was a Cites with it, she said no. Is this just needed if I take it outside Europe, I am very confused. Thanks

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[HavLab]

Good morning, I passed through Munich airport earlier this week and purchased two small bracelets: hinged enamel and kawaii in ombre lizard. When I went to pay for the two items, the SAs were really REALLY REALLY trying to push me to purchase a CSGM but I wasn't that interested. The SA who helped me rang me up while the other was packing the bracelets. I noticed that there were no CITES.

They both looked for it, while mainly focusing on selling me the CSGM, to no avail and concluded that those types of bracelets, unlike the CDC, do not come with CITES. Is this true?

It was a really confusing shopping experience. I left actually wondering wait, did I end up buying that scarf?

I hate those kinds of shopping experiences. I bought a lizard charniere at George V and they gave me a CITES certificate.

 

[SandySummer]

Thank you for the responses and PMs regarding my question! I am more confused than ever. I wish that I wasn't in such a rush and the whole mess with the CSGM sale too. Annoyed!

 

[chicinthecity777]

You would only get a CITES if you are exporting from EU to somewhere outside the EU. And only above certain amount. E.g. if an item has very small exotics element, it may not need a CITES. So I was told by a store director.

 

[xoxomint]

Hi ladies, I need your help. I am currently on vacation in Osaka and bought an ombré belt buckle at the H store in Kobe a couple of days ago. They said it would take a week for them to issue the cites. Since I will be in Japan for another week, I told them it wouldn't be a problem for me to come back to pick it up. Today, they said that since my address is in the United States, a cites is not needed so they will not be issuing a cites. Is this true?? I can go on about how they should have told me prior to my purchase but it's pointless now. The problem is that I'm not going straight back to the states from Japan, I will be doing a bit of traveling. I'm not sure what the rules are of each country, nor do I think I should actually worry about that. Hence the necessity of a cites. When I buy exotic skin in the states, I always get a cites. Same as in Paris. Can Hermes store deny issuing a cites?? Please advise.

 

[c18027]

I purchased the 24 cm ombré belt buckle in the Rome airport boutique. I was told the same thing — no CITES available. Since I was obviously flying out immediately, I made them give me a CITES that they had on-hand for a lizard bracelet instead. I was hoping that any customs inspector wouldn't look too closely at the paperwork. No one even bothered to check my packages so it wasn't an issue for me. Unless CITES are not issued for buckles, I get the impression that the availability depends on the individual boutique's organization/disorganization.

 

[marbella8]

You would only get a CITES if you are exporting from EU to somewhere outside the EU. And only above certain amount. E.g. if an item has very small exotics element, it may not need a CITES. So I was told by a store director.

I know this is a thread on traveling with your bag, but do you or anyone else know about buying a vintage bag in ostrich, crocodile, or alligator and having it shipped to the USA? I saw a gorgeous green-Kelly 28 in ostrich from a Japanese reseller for a bargain months ago, but didn't want to take the risk of it getting confiscated, and it sold before I could post here.

Sometimes I see beautiful crocodile bags from European sellers. Thank you!

 

[chicinthecity777]

I know this is a thread on traveling with your bag, but do you or anyone else know about buying a vintage bag in ostrich, crocodile, or alligator and having it shipped to the USA? I saw a gorgeous green-Kelly 28 in ostrich from a Japanese reseller for a bargain months ago, but didn't want to take the risk of it getting confiscated, and it sold before I could post here.

Sometimes I see beautiful crocodile bags from European sellers. Thank you!

For bags before certain year, you don't need CITES at all, as CITES only came into agreement in recent decades. However I can't recall that year on top of my head. Ostrich doesn't require CITES at all, as it's no longer categorised as endangered spices. In general, I don't think you need any CITES importing vintage crocodile / alligator bags to the U.S.

 

[marbella8]

For bags before certain year, you don't need CITES at all, as CITES only came into agreement in recent decades. However I can't recall that year on top of my head. Ostrich doesn't require CITES at all, as it's no longer categorised as endangered spices. In general, I don't think you need any CITES importing vintage crocodile / alligator bags to the U.S.

For bags before certain year, you don't need CITES at all, as CITES only came into agreement in recent decades. However I can't recall that year on top of my head. Ostrich doesn't require CITES at all, as it's no longer categorised as endangered spices. In general, I don't think you need any CITES importing vintage crocodile / alligator bags to the U.S.

Thank you! I need to call and figure this out, so the next time a bag comes up, I am not afraid of buying it.

 

[Nanababy]

That does not apply to Ostrich.

Sometimes you can get a certificate of origin of the ostrich skins from some H stores...but not all stores....

If I live in a Hong Kong, how do I get a Cite for my Croc bag for traveling? I brought mine from a reseller in Paris and no cite was provided, only an invoice.

And just want to double confirm, travelling with Ostrich bag is safe, no document will be needed? Cite is needed for Croc and Lizard bags only.

Tks

 

[mrsmes]

If I live in a Hong Kong, how do I get a Cite for my Croc bag for traveling? I brought mine from a reseller in Paris and no cite was provided, only an invoice.

And just want to double confirm, travelling with Ostrich bag is safe, no document will be needed? Cite is needed for Croc and Lizard bags only.

Tks

I'm not so sure about not needing CITES paperwork for ostrich, although someone with more experience may be able to chime in. I have a Kelly Pochette in ostrich and was issued CITES paperwork by my SA. He was adamant in telling me that I need this document if I ever were to travel with my bag. Hope this helps!

 

[Louis74]

This thread made me realize that the alligator bracelet I ordered from H.com last week did not cone with a Cites certificate. I just called Hermes and they will send me a copy.

 

[VigeeLeBrun]

Ladies and gents, would definitely INSIST on a CITES with any H exotic regardless of buying directly from H or from an H reseller. Case in point, a friend of mine in Europe bought an H exotic item from a well known H USA reseller and upon import, it was CONFISCATED by the European customs officials.

There is a reason for CITES and do not travel without taking it with you!

 

[StaceyLyn]

Ladies and gents, would definitely INSIST on a CITES with any H exotic regardless of buying directly from H or from an H reseller. Case in point, a friend of mine in Europe bought an H exotic item from a well known H USA reseller and upon import, it was CONFISCATED by the European customs officials.

There is a reason for CITES and do not travel without taking it with you!

Spot on comment regarding the importance of CITES! I recently had a great deal of trouble with my Hermes croc bag and wallet when I got to Customs in Munich (off a flight from Venice). My husband and I were, in essence, detained for over an hour while customs busied themselves with the legality of my exotic goods. I bought both items in the U.S. about 5 years ago and thankfully carried my CITES with me on our travels. So glad I did. I can only imagine what would've happened to my bag and wallet if I did not have the proper documentation.

 

[VigeeLeBrun]

Spot on comment regarding the importance of CITES! I recently had a great deal of trouble with my Hermes croc bag and wallet when I got to Customs in Munich (off a flight from Venice). My husband and I were, in essence, detained for over an hour while customs busied themselves with the legality of my exotic goods. I bought both items in the U.S. about 5 years ago and thankfully carried my CITES with me on our travels. So glad I did. I can only imagine what would've happened to my bag and wallet if I did not have the proper documentation.

They probably would have been CONFISCATED by customs based on my friend's experience this week!