Trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora: the regulations described in a manual
The Customs Agency published an operational manual containing the instructions for procedures and controls to be performed on imports, exports and re-exports, transit and transhipments of endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
The Customs and Monopolies Agency published the Operational Manual containing the procedures to be followed and the controls to be performed in Customs matters regarding the international trade of endangered species of wild fauna and flora pursuant to EU Regulation No. 338/97 and national regulations.
The instructions specify procedures and controls on imports, exports and re-exports, transit and transhipments of endangered species of wild fauna and flora included in the annexes of EU Regulation No. 338/97 and subsequent implementations and amendments on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein.
The controls are intended to determine if the specimens introduced, transited, or (re-)exported in or out the community territory through Italy are compliant with the CITES provisions and the relating Community regulations of implementation.
Generally, but not limited to, two conditions must be verified:
· the introductions and (re-)exports of the specimens are allowed only if documentation compliant with CITES provisions, Community legislation, and the regulations in force has been submitted;
· for the specimens presented for introduction or (re-)export effective consistency must be proved and relative CITES documentation submitted.
Those not respecting the rules are liable to penalties.
In this respect, the Customs and Monopolies Agency performs all the functions and tasks conferred by law with regard to Customs, movement of goods, and internal taxation concerning international trade, excise duties, and the related environment and energy taxation according to the applicable Community or national rules.
The Agency operates in the non-tax sector within its competence according to the regulations provisioning the Customs intervention and supervision for the health and safety of the community. Specifically, the Agency exercises its duties, ensuring real-time controls, selected according to the more evolved risk analysis techniques.
For example, the Agency together with other Authorities contributes to the maintenance of adequate levels of control in the sector of the products intended for human consumption, and to environmental, consumer, and market protection.