CITES, travel and exotics

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Does anyone have details on bringing back a croc handbag purchased abroad? What is the full duty rate? Is CITES the certificate you get with the purchase of an exotic? Do I need that? Is the bag ever confiscated?
Separately, has anyone ever been challenged when they traveled back to the US with an exotic bag they already purchased in the US? Should you travel with the CITES certificate?
I always travel with my CITES certificates, even with US purchased bags. Note that import restrictions vary by country so be careful and check before traveling abroad with your US bought exotics. The US Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries was very helpful to me when I called their toll free number and asked a bunch of questions about traveling with my exotics... definitely worth the phone call.

Re: customs declaration - there's a lot more info on duty rate in the customs thread in the Shopping sub forum.
 
Hi everyone, I'm looking at buying some pre-owned exotics (Chanel python and Birkin croc) from an online seller in Sweden. I'm here in Singapore. The bags are from recent years and do not come with CITES, and I'm worried they may get seized at the customs. Is the CITES certificate something that the seller can apply for if they don't already have it?
 
Hi everyone, I'm looking at buying some pre-owned exotics (Chanel python and Birkin croc) from an online seller in Sweden. I'm here in Singapore. The bags are from recent years and do not come with CITES, and I'm worried they may get seized at the customs. Is the CITES certificate something that the seller can apply for if they don't already have it?

If the seller is the original owner, he / she can probably ask the store to print another CITES copy, but stores don't necessary still have the CITES on the system. I know some stores will keep them for a while, but not always and not forever.
 
If the seller is the original owner, he / she can probably ask the store to print another CITES copy, but stores don't necessary still have the CITES on the system. I know some stores will keep them for a while, but not always and not forever.

Thanks for your suggestion. It's a reseller based in Sweden so I'm not sure whether they can get hold of the CITES from the original stores. Anyway they kinda "ghosted" on me after I asked about the CITES. Guess they can't do it.

I think you would be very unwise to purchase without cites.
If it gets through customs now, you never know what problems you might encounter travelling in the future.
Don't let your heart rule your head - other opportunities always arise.

Thank you for your wise words. I had time to think about it and came to the same conclusion as well. I'd really really like an exotic bag, but I don't think I am prepared to handle the frustration and heartache at seeing the pricey item confiscated at the customs on arrival.
 
I was wondering if someone could assist me? I just purchased an ostrich Calvi in London (I'm US based). The SA told me I do not need a CITES certificate for ostrich. Can anyone confirm that this is correct? Thank you!
 
I would like to bring my alligator, lizard & ostrich handbags (all purchased in US) to Taiwan. Does anyone know if I need to apply any documents for leaving US or entering Taiwan? TIA
 
Hi all - I know there have been a number of threads and posts over the years about the CITES issue. I've tried to research as much as I can here and elsewhere, but hoping someone can help with this question. Is it possible to obtain CITES paperwork for an exotic skin item you purchased not from Hermes originally (or for that matter, any other kind of non-Hermes item), but from a re-seller - AFTER the fact, if your reseller doesn't have it? Or does your country's CITES department need the original paperwork or information in order to issue it to you, as the new owner? Assume for the moment that it is not an issue purchasing it in the first place from the reseller, as they are in your own country.

I'm aware that you need CITES paperwork to travel, and it's not a "certificate of origin". Personal travel isn't really my concern, as I can just opt to leave it at home. What I'm worried about is if someday I want to send my Hermes item to the spa (which I believe has to go to Paris), and not being able to do so without CITES paperwork.

Appreciate any and all feedback - thanks in advance!
 
I have several exotics all purchased from boutiques, which I am qualifying because the SM knows me and for the spa I suppose that could matter. All the bags came with CITES but I probably couldn’t find half of them. I travel extensively for work (well, before COVID anyway) to first and second world countries usually with at least one exotic Birkin. No one has ever said a word, asked a question or even looked at me because of them so I got very lazy about their paperwork. When I’ve sent them to the spa, no SA has ever asked for their paperwork. Everyone’s H experience is dramatically different if these boards are any indication, but the above has been mine.
 
Hi all - I know there have been a number of threads and posts over the years about the CITES issue. I've tried to research as much as I can here and elsewhere, but hoping someone can help with this question. Is it possible to obtain CITES paperwork for an exotic skin item you purchased not from Hermes originally (or for that matter, any other kind of non-Hermes item), but from a re-seller - AFTER the fact, if your reseller doesn't have it? Or does your country's CITES department need the original paperwork or information in order to issue it to you, as the new owner? Assume for the moment that it is not an issue purchasing it in the first place from the reseller, as they are in your own country.

I'm aware that you need CITES paperwork to travel, and it's not a "certificate of origin". Personal travel isn't really my concern, as I can just opt to leave it at home. What I'm worried about is if someday I want to send my Hermes item to the spa (which I believe has to go to Paris), and not being able to do so without CITES paperwork.

Appreciate any and all feedback - thanks in advance!

The spa shouldn’t need CITES — depending on the leather, they may not need to send it abroad even. There is a way to re-certify vintage pieces, but it is quite complex — I think it actually has to go to Paris for that.

I have CITES for some pieces, but if I am picking a CDC to travel with, I am not going to look for one (actually, my favorite CDC doesn’t even have one... not sure what happened but it got separated from the bracelet in the boutique and I kept forgetting to get one).
 
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They are looking for endangered animal products, purses by well known design houses are not typically on that radar. However, as a precaution, it is best if travelling with an exotic to have the CITES (or a copy) with you. Shipping is another issue, I would not risk purchasing or shipping without the CITES no matter the brand. Spa should not be a concern as Hermes will do the shipping themselves (if it is needed).

In general, I would be more concerned about the duties/tax that can be imposed at will by any border officer when returning from travel. If you can't prove you had the item when you left your country, they can seize and fine. There are ways to have your expensive items documented by the border services, which is very handy if you don't have receipts. (IMO it is ridiculous to have to carry that proof but they have the right to question all items entering the country, especially since so many people "forget" expensive items off their declarations) In a pinch, I just take a picture at the airport before departing to date stamp - no guarantees, but at least it is something that is difficult to refute.
 
They are looking for endangered animal products, purses by well known design houses are not typically on that radar. However, as a precaution, it is best if travelling with an exotic to have the CITES (or a copy) with you. Shipping is another issue, I would not risk purchasing or shipping without the CITES no matter the brand. Spa should not be a concern as Hermes will do the shipping themselves (if it is needed).

In general, I would be more concerned about the duties/tax that can be imposed at will by any border officer when returning from travel. If you can't prove you had the item when you left your country, they can seize and fine. There are ways to have your expensive items documented by the border services, which is very handy if you don't have receipts. (IMO it is ridiculous to have to carry that proof but they have the right to question all items entering the country, especially since so many people "forget" expensive items off their declarations) In a pinch, I just take a picture at the airport before departing to date stamp - no guarantees, but at least it is something that is difficult to refute.

That's good to hear. Thank you, and everyone else who has responded so far. I just contacted Hermes about sending my Kelly bag to the spa, so perhaps I'll take the opportunity at the same time to ask them about this issue as well when they get back to me.
 
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