Image of the seized furs, source: CBP.gov

U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working seized a shipment of fur coats valued at $76,736. The fur coats were seized because they did not have the required documentation as required under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora. As the US is a party to CITES, the trade of items listed in CITES such as whale teeth, ivory, tortoise shell, reptile, fur skins, coral and birds all need to be authorized by a permit.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined the seized furs were garments from mink, fox, chinchilla and sable – species covered under CITES.

If you plan on shipping goods covered under CITES, contact experienced import attorney David Hsu before hand to ensure you are in compliance with the multitude of regulations enforced by CBP. David can be reached by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.