CITES, travel and exotics

[WhiteBus]

Simply not true. CITES does not matter as long as you keep it or sell it within the country you live in. Even with CITES, the import or export of exotic skin bags is annoyingly difficult, and you need a new permit every single time from the destination country. Trust me, I know, because I have done it.

I have to mention that pretty much all super-vintage exotic bags don't have a CITES certificate either, simply because it didn't exist when the bags were made. If you love an exotic bag, and the price is good, BUY it. It's a common misconception that a missing CITES devalues a bag. You don't need it to travel either as long as the exotic bag is used as your personal luggage.

I take exception to you stating that my opinion is 'simply not true' and shouting it out in bold.
There were no facts to dispute.
I would still stand by my opinion that buying something that should have a CITED certificate would be unwidse AND that a reputable reseller would not do so.

 

[shrpthorn]

That shouldn't have happened. They can ask for it, but as long as it is your personally used handbag, they have no right to seize it, even with missing documentation.

Not sure I agree with the statement "it's no problem if the bag is in personal use and they have no right to seize it". Although not specifically a CITES example, a prominent news story in the Canadian press reported that US Customs officials had seized the personal, sealskin purse of a Canadian traveller (in use - not luggage) entering the Eastern US from their home province of Newfoundland. Sealskin items are legal to own in Canada (most are sourced from our indigenous peoples) but cannot be imported into the US, Australia, New Zealand - to name a few countries. US Customs kept the purse but she was at least able to get the contents back.

 

[etoupebirkin]

I have purchased exotic Hermes bags without the CITES. However, I would never travel outside the US with them. I usually like to travel in a very under the radar Style. Even if I could travel with exotics without issue, I wouldn’t do it.

If I ever reconsigned the bags, I would let the reseller deal with all the shipping issues — have them earn their commissions.

 

[Rouge H]

Simply not true. CITES does not matter as long as you keep it or sell it within the country you live in. Even with CITES, the import or export of exotic skin bags is annoyingly difficult, and you need a new permit every single time from the destination country. Trust me, I know, because I have done it.

I have to mention that pretty much all super-vintage exotic bags don't have a CITES certificate either, simply because it didn't exist when the bags were made. If you love an exotic bag, and the price is good, BUY it. It's a common misconception that a missing CITES devalues a bag. You don't need it to travel either as long as the exotic bag is used as your personal luggage.

Im going to have to concur with Whitebus. I’d never ever buy an exotic without cites certificate. I have an exotic and my certificate stays in the zippered compartment when I travel. I have been asked to show it through customs and no worries. Yes, you can zip through customs carrying it as your handbag or in your luggage. Customs varies in each country, but I wouldn’t enter without it.

 

[labellavita27]

Anyone have experience buying a lizard bag in EU and bringing it back to the US?

 

[WhiteBus]

It is important to realise that CITES certificates prove that an item is made from materials sourced under controlled conditions. The ES stands for endangered species. Enlightened governments across the world have cross-boarder (import) agreements intended to limit the trade in items made from the skins or other parts of endangered species ceatures. The bottom line is that it is irrelevant if they are for personal use or not. It is about whether the items are legal.
Although you migh be physically passing through the same entry channels, the officers are alert to more than just value, which might incur duty and import charges, but also whether you are allowed to import all items.

 

[poppylove]

I am interested in purchasing a lizard bag from EU and have it shipped to CA, the bag is vintage and no CITES is available. Is it true that it is okay to import vintage without CITES document? Thanks much.

 

[WhiteBus]

It really would be best to consult the appropriate authority in Canada. You can can give the exact details (and I expect it would want a year if manufacture, not a general description of 'vintage'). That is the only way to get a specific ruling for your item. Regulations and interpretations change, so someone else's experience might not apply to you.

 

[duffybear]

Hi @labellavita27 , You must have a CITES for Hermes bags made from Lizard, Alligator or Crocodile exotic skins. Ostrich is the only exotic leather that doesn't need the CITES certificate.

Hi @labellavita27 , You must have a CITES for Hermes bags made from Lizard, Alligator or Crocodile exotic skins. Ostrich is the only exotic leather that doesn't need the CITES certificate.

Just wondering , for the CITES that comes with hermes croc , is it a real paper certificate?
because I got a croc bag from hermes shop, I don’t have a real paper certificate but only find a CITES reference number on the Hermes receipt . I am not going to sell my bag but thinking if I should ask my SA for the certificate . I havent asked her about this yet as I worry she might think I gonna resell the croc bag .
thank you

 

[fice16]

As far as I know if your handbag doesn't come with a CITES certificate your must ordered if you want to travel overseas (its a real certificate paper). If the CITES certificate expired you have to renew and that cost money. I think you should ask Hermes to give you the real certificate instead of just having the Hermes receipt with the CITES reference. I'm not sure if only with the receipt you can travel/send the bag overseas in case that customs ask you

I have a friend that travel to Europe frequently and she told me that sometimes they ask sometimes not. Better to bring it with you inside the handbag if you don't want to have any surprise with customs/authorities.

I have a question about CITES from Hermès. I have one CITES from H, and I see the manufactured dates (?) but I don’t recall seeing an expiration date. Do I miss out on any information on the CITES or did H forget to give me all the needed document…?
thanks in advance.

 

[fice16]

Just wondering , for the CITES that comes with hermes croc , is it a real paper certificate?
because I got a croc bag from hermes shop, I don’t have a real paper certificate but only find a CITES reference number on the Hermes receipt . I am not going to sell my bag but thinking if I should ask my SA for the certificate . I havent asked her about this yet as I worry she might think I gonna resell the croc bag .
thank you

My CITES from H was only printed on A4 paper with some manufactured dates info…but It is different from the receipt.

 

[duffybear]

As far as I know if your handbag doesn't come with a CITES certificate your must ordered if you want to travel overseas (its a real certificate paper). If the CITES certificate expired you have to renew and that cost money. I think you should ask Hermes to give you the real certificate instead of just having the Hermes receipt with the CITES reference. I'm not sure if only with the receipt you can travel/send the bag overseas in case that customs ask you

I have a friend that travel to Europe frequently and she told me that sometimes they ask sometimes not. Better to bring it with you inside the handbag if you don't want to have any surprise with customs/authorities.

Thanks for your detailed reply and letting me know CITES is a real paper ! I will ask my SA for that .

 

[corgimom11]

Just wondering , for the CITES that comes with hermes croc , is it a real paper certificate?
because I got a croc bag from hermes shop, I don’t have a real paper certificate but only find a CITES reference number on the Hermes receipt . I am not going to sell my bag but thinking if I should ask my SA for the certificate . I havent asked her about this yet as I worry she might think I gonna resell the croc bag .
thank you

If you purchased this directly from the Hermes boutique, they should have provided you either the original CITES cert or a photocopy. I would immediately call your SA or the store and get them to provide this to you sooner rather than later because they are tied to the exotic deliveries they receive. IMO, should have never been sold to you without it and it's a definite miss on the store's part. You shouldn't be worried if she thinks you are going to resell the bag, you're literally entitled to making sure you have the CITES so that you can travel with it appropriately. In my exotic purchases, some of them have been provided on top of the paper wrapping, but I have also had purchases where they folded the CITES into a separate ziplock bag and enclosed it with the other accessories the bag comes with.

 

[880]

The pontets are absolutely correct for an HAC of that size. Neat bag and I love a good destroyed suitcase. Use your things!

Apologies for OT, but may I ask, for an older, obviously used exotic bag, does a person still need to carry cites? And would a pic on your phone be okay? TIA

 

[sugarbabetvxq]

Hi everyone, just to check do you know if the Pegasus charm in PM size with a touch of exotic (alligator) on the wings require the CITES certificate?

When I purchased mine from the H store directly, they mentioned it was too small piece of a leather, therefore, there’s no CITES being issued for it.

However, I saw on YouTube recently and one lady who purchased the same charm but in MM size actually had a CITES being issued for it.

Would greatly appreciate your kind advise on this