New Species Requirements Begin March 5, 2026
Adopted by the 20th Conference of the Parties to CITES — Samarkand, Uzbekistan (Nov. 24–Dec. 5, 2025)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the leading global agreement designed to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the wild. Every two to three years, representatives of CITES’s 184+ member countries meet at a Conference of the Parties (CoP) to consider proposals to amend the CITES Appendices — the lists that determine how trade in particular species is regulated.
At the recent 20th meeting of the Parties (CoP20) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, delegates reviewed dozens of proposals and adopted a suite of changes to the CITES Appendices that affect the level of protection afforded to many species of plants and animals. These amendments were published by the CITES Secretariat in Notification to Parties No. 2026/005 and will begin to take effect on March 5, 2026, unless otherwise noted.
Why This Matters
CITES classifies species in different Appendices based on their conservation status and the threat that international trade poses to them:
- Appendix I: Only the most endangered species — international commercial trade is generally prohibited.
- Appendix II: Species that aren’t necessarily threatened with extinction but require regulated trade to prevent future risk.
When a species is moved into or out of these Appendices — or when protections are tightened or eased — it affects the permitting required for shipments of those species and related products worldwide. For U.S. shipments, proper documentation must accompany all consignments of affected species, and they must be inspected and cleared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement at designated ports.
Key Changes from CITES CoP20
Species Removed from the Appendices
These species are no longer listed under CITES protection:
• Monachus tropicalis (Caribbean monk seal) — deleted from Appendix I
• Damaliscus pygargus pygargus (Bontebok) — removed from Appendix II
Transfers Between Appendices
Species that shifted in their level of protection include:
From Appendix I → Appendix II
• Arctocephalus townsendi (Guadalupe fur seal) — still protected under U.S. wildlife laws
• Podocarpus parlatorei — zero export for wild specimens annotation
From Appendix II → Appendix I (stricter protection)
• Golden-bellied mangabey
• White-backed and Rüppell’s vultures
• Marine and Galápagos iguanas
• Home’s hinge-back tortoise
• Oceanic whitetip shark
• Manta and devil rays
• Whale shark
• Selected rare plants (Anacampseros quinaria, Euphorbia bupleurifolia)
Species Newly Included in the Appendices
New to Appendix I (highest level of protection)
• Okapi (the forest giraffe)
• Great-billed seed finch
• Haitian giant galliwasp
• An Ethiopian viper and a Bale Mountains adder
• Chilean palm (Jubaea chilensis)
New to Appendix II (regulated trade)
Includes species such as:
• Dorcas gazelle
• Striped hyena
• Two-toed sloths
• Hornbills
• Multiple seed finches and geckos
• Smooth-hound sharks and gulper sharks
• Chilean rose tarantula
Several Appendix II inclusions — such as various frogs and a school shark — have an 18-month delayed entry into effect, meaning protections begin June 5, 2027.
Annotation Updates
Some listings now carry specific annotations — additional language specifying how trade should be managed. A few notable changes:
- Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica): New zero commercial export quota with tightly controlled conditions for horn trade.
- African elephant (Loxodonta africana): Split listing retained — limited trade in trophies, live animals, hides, and certain handicrafts for some populations, while all others receive full Appendix I protection.
- Guitarfish and wedgefish: Zero annual export quotas for wild specimens.
- Plants: Clarifications on exemptions for seeds, flowers, and retail products like cosmetics and finished goods.
What Happens Next
These changes take effect March 5, 2026, and they require that all international shipments of the listed species (or products/parts thereof) be accompanied with appropriate CITES documentation. Exporters and importers must comply with the updated listings and annotations, or risk delays, fines, or seizure of goods.
For U.S. port and enforcement contact details, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Trade webpage.
By clarifying where species fall on the spectrum from regulated trade to near-total protection, the CoP20 amendments reflect global efforts to curb illegal wildlife commerce and strengthen conservation outcomes for vulnerable species.
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