CITES

CITES is an acronym for the ”Convention on International

Export of all products made from the whole, or any part of,
Narwhal, Beluga whale, Minke whale (from West Greenland),
Walrus and Polar bear must have a CITES permit. This applies
Buying
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora”, to the whole range of products including Polar bear claws,
signed by more than 150 countries worldwide. The aim of
CITES is to protect the many endangered wildlife species of
the World through controlling the international trade. Some
jewellery made from Narwhale or Beluga tooth, Walrus skulls
and souvenirs fashioned from Minke whale baleen etc. The
CITES permit is issued at most of the shops and outlets
handicraft?
4,800 animal and 25,000 plant species are covered by CITES. selling these products.
More than 30 animal CITES-species (and a few plant species)
live in Greenland and the surrounding waters.

The species are listed in three appendices:

Please note that no products made from whole, or any part
of, Sperm whale (incl. teeth), Bowhead whale, Fin whale,
Humpback whale, plus all species of birds of prey, can be
Ask for a
Appendix I (globally endangered species):
This covers species which are banned from ALL export. No
part, deriviate or crafted products of these species may be
exported.

• Without a CITES permit you risk the confiscation of your

CITES permit
exported. In Greenland this includes; Sperm whale, Bowhead precious memory of Greenland.
whale (Greenland right whale), Fin whale (also known as the • With a CITES permit you have proof of the origin of your

Produced for Greenland-Homerule, Department of Environment and Nature, Nuuk, by Ornis Consult A/S • Design: Monsoon • Photos: Erik Bornand Thor Hjarsen • Printing: Datagraf Auning AS
Razorback), Humpback whale and White-tailed eagle. product which will have been caught in the wild by a
Appendix II and III (endangered and locally endangered genuine Greenlandic sealer or hunter.
species): • With a CITES permit you have proof that you can legally
This covers the whole or any part of a species which can be import the product to your home country.
exported for private, non-commercial use when accompanied
by a CITES permit. Export of anything made from Narwhale,
Beluga whale, Minke whale (from West Greenland), Walrus
and Polar bear require a CITES permit which has to be kept
with the product during transport.

Please note:
• If you export ANY product made from a “CITES
species”(CITES Appendix II and III) from Greenland and
import it to your home country (no matter whether this
item was purchased in a shop or found in the wild) it
MUST be accompanied by a CITES permit.
• The CITES permit is valid only for products for private
and personal use. If the products are to be used in any
other way, for example for commercial and scientific
purposes, they require further documentation for For more information:
export. Department of Environment and Nature
• Species protected in Greenland and all birds of prey are (Direktoratet for Miljø og Natur)
NOT eligible for sale or export; even if found dead. P.O. Box 1614
• Other, frequently used materials (not covered by CITES or DK-3900 Nuuk
other rules) may be exported from Greenland free of Tel. (+299) 34 67 01
regulations if for private use. This includes all species of Fax. (+299) 32 52 86
seals (except Walrus), Reindeer, Musk ox, Sheep,
Mammoth (tooth), driftwood and most stones and Internet:
minerals. www.wcmc.org.uk/cites (general information on CITES
• More information on the Internet: including CITES appendixes).
www.wcmc.org.uk/cites.

Published by Greenland Home-rule and funded by Dancea

Greenland Home-rule
Department of Environment and Nature
As a tourist in Greenland you will have the opportunity to Greenlandic handicraft products
take back home beautiful souvenir handicrafts, such as
– more than mere souvenirs
clothing, jewellery and other domestic products.

Greenlandic handicraft products are made from nature’s The CITES permit is not just a document for the customs
own materials such as stones and gems, driftwood, and clearance officers. It proves that the product originates from
antlers, bones and teeth of wild animals. Some of the wildlife species that can be legally hunted in Greenland.
products may be made from animal species covered by Within the population of 55,000, approximately 2,500

Narwhale
CITES, aimed at protecting endangered wild animal and Greenlanders live as sealers and 7,000 are registered
plant species by controlling international trade. In Green- hunters. Each year they file reports on their catch so that the
land, products made from Narwhale, Beluga whale, Minke authorities can monitor and impose regulations as required.
whale (from West Greenland), Walrus and Polar bear must Whaling is conducted according to international regulations.
be sold with a special CITES permit.
Greenlandic handicrafts are deeply rooted in the old hunting
The CITES permit is your proof that you can legally export culture of the Inuit people. In the past the Inuit had a
the product from Greenland and import this to your home nomadic lifestyle and had to make all of their own tools and
country. Remember to obtain a CITES permit and keep it only the most important and useful items travelled with
with the product. Present it to the Customs upon arrival in them. Survival was an art of its own and through the
your home country.
Walrus and Polar bear
passage of time the tools of everyday life evolved into first
class handicraft products, crafted by true artisans. Thus the
Greenlandic handicrafts are more than just souvenirs; they
combine art, nature and utility.

They possess inua – the spirit of things.

Polar bear

The Greenlandic CITES permit

covers 5 wildlife species:
Narwhale, Beluga whale, Minke
whale (from West Greenland),
Narwhale

Walrus and Polar bear.