1. CITES Appendix Classification
✔ Appendix II
All Aquilaria spp. and Gyrinops spp. are listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning:
- International trade is allowed, but strictly regulated to prevent overharvesting.
- Export requires official government permits certifying that:
- The specimen was legally obtained (Legal Acquisition Finding – LAF)
- The trade will not harm the species’ survival (Non-Detriment Finding – NDF)
✔ This covers:
- Agarwood chips (gaharu)
- Distilled oils (oud / agarwood oil)
- Powder, flakes, dust
- Finished products (perfume, incense)
- Logs, timber, sawn wood
- Cultivated trees, seedlings, and tissue-cultured plants
2. What Activities Require CITES Permits?
A. Export
You need an Export Permit for exporting any agarwood product across borders, including:
- Raw wood, chips, dust
- Oil (oud), resin
- Seeds or seedlings
- Plant parts
- Tea, incense, perfumes containing agarwood
Most Middle Eastern buyers (Saudi, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait) strictly require valid CITES permits before customs clearance.
B. Import
Destination countries often require:
- CITES import compliance
- Pre-arrival documentation
- Country-specific clearance (e.g., KSA SFDA, UAE Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi)
C. Re-export
If you buy agarwood internationally and then resell it to another country:
✔ You need a Re-export Certificate, proving legal origin.
3. Exemptions (Important for Cultivation Projects)
CITES allows exemptions if conditions are met:
✔ 3.1. Artificially Propagated Stock (Plantations)
Nurseries or plantations registered as artificial propagation sources can:
- Get simplified permits
- Export easier, with fewer restrictions
- Avoid wild-source scrutiny
- Use source code “A” for artificially propagated plants
NOTE:
The exemption applies only to plants and unprocessed parts, NOT to finished agarwood resin, chips, or oil.
✔ 3.2. Finished Products for Retail Trade
CITES exempts:
- Finished products packaged for retail sale (e.g., small perfume bottles, soaps, incense sticks)
BUT not exempt if:
- Exported in bulk
- Not yet packaged for retail
- Transported as raw materials
4. CITES Source Codes for Aquilaria Trade
When applying for permits, you must specify the source of the material:
| Code | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | Artificially Propagated | Nursery-grown seedlings |
| C | Cultivated | Plantation-grown Aquilaria trees |
| W | Wild | Not allowed in most cases; heavily restricted |
| I | Confiscated | Cannot be exported commercially |
| R | Ranched | Rarely used for Aquilaria |
Most Philippine plantations will use Source Code “C”.
5. Permit Requirements (General Workflow)
Step 1 — Legal Acquisition Proof
Show:
- Land ownership or lease
- Plantation registration
- Harvest declaration
Step 2 — Non-Detriment Finding (NDF)
Government scientists certify that export does not threaten the species.
Step 3 — CITES Export Permit Issuance
Must include:
- Scientific name (e.g., Aquilaria malaccensis)
- Source code
- Quantity (kg)
- Form (chips, powder, oil)
- Country of origin
Step 4 — Customs Verification
Border control checks:
- Permit authenticity
- Shipment consistency
- Proper labeling and packaging
6. Philippine-Specific Notes (Important for Your Businesses)
In the Philippines, CITES is implemented through:
✔ DENR-BMB (Biodiversity Management Bureau)
Handles:
- CITES export permits
- NDF evaluations
- Plantation registration
✔ DENR-EMB (Environmental Management Bureau)
Handles:
- ECC/CNC for plantation & extraction facilities (you already know this requirement)
✔ Requirements to Get Permits:
- Valid DENR plantation registration
- Inventory report
- Laboratory report (optional but helpful)
- Photos, GPS coordinates
- Letter of intent to export
- Proof the material came from your plantation (farmgate records)
7. Essential CITES Documents for Agarwood Exporters
✔ CITES Export Permit (mandatory)
✔ Packing List / Quantity Verification
✔ Commercial Invoice
✔ Phytosanitary Certificate (sometimes required)
✔ Chain-of-Custody Records
✔ For Oils:
- Distillation batch records
- GC-MS or FTIR profile (Middle East clients often request this)
8. Compliance Tips for Exporters
- Always label with full scientific name.
- Avoid mixing species.
- Maintain detailed farm logs (age, number of trees, harvest dates).
- Keep all resin induction and harvesting records.
- Work with DENR early—NDF evaluation takes time.
- Use secure packaging to avoid confiscation.
- Keep CITES permit copies inside the shipment AND with the courier.
9. Why CITES Compliance is Critical
✔ Prevents seizure at international borders
✔ Protects business reputation
✔ Ensures legal trade routes
✔ Opens access to high-value Middle Eastern markets
✔ Required for securing long-term contracts with buyers