Taking ivory & cites-listed items out of South Africa
Export of ivory from South Africa is prohibited without a DFFE (Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment) CITES export permit. Penalties under NEMBA reach ZAR 10 million or 10 years imprisonment.
Details
South Africa's National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) 10/2004 implements CITES obligations. CITES Appendix I species (including elephant ivory) may only be exported for non-commercial scientific purposes or registered captive-breeding operations with DFFE permit. Pre-Convention ivory (antique, pre-1976 with documented provenance) may be authorised with a DFFE certificate and CITES non-detriment finding. Penalties: ZAR 10 million fine and/or 10 years imprisonment under NEMBA s. 101.
Quantity limits
Any ivory export requires individual DFFE CITES permit; no quantity exemption
Documentation required
- DFFE CITES export permit
- CITES non-detriment finding certificate
- Pre-Convention certificate with documented provenance (for antique ivory)
- CITES Appendix annotation compliance documentation
The other direction
Bringing ivory & cites-listed items into South Africa(prohibited)