Legal Restrictions for Export and Import of Living and Dead Specimens

Certain insects are protected by an international agreement on wildlife trade, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). There is a requirement for most countries, quite separate from restrictions imposed by national or state quarantine and national parks authorities, to declare that a consignment containing any living or dead insect does not contain prohibited species. Containers with living insects should be also labelled 'living beneficial insects' and 'open only in presence of consignee'.

In many countries all native or exotic insects, or some species (live and/or dead) are restricted exports. Export permits are required before air freight or postal carriers are permitted to accept international containers of insect specimens. Copies of the permits should always accompany a consignment and be easily accessed without having to open the container.

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