Two tropical timber species renowned for their use in decking applications now require CITES permits to be imported into the UK, according to Timber Development UK (TDUK).
TDUK, citing an announcement by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), said the decision follows the 19th Conference of Parties (CoP19) held in Panama in November 2022.
Ipé and cumaru have been included in CITES Appendix II / GB Annex B and controlled under CITES since November 25.
For ipé and cumaru, only logs, sawn wood, veneer sheets, plywood and transformed wood will be CITES controlled.
TDUK said that before moving these specimens, traders must now ensure that the CITES documents are available at the time of entry into the UK; a (re-)export permit issued by the country of re-export; and a UK import permit issued by APHA.
CITES specimens shipped before November 25, 2024, but arriving to the UK after this date would not require CITES documents if traders can provide a valid signed and dated bill of lading showing that the shipment left the country of (re-)export before November 25, 2024.
