What is CITES?
CITES (pronounced "SY-teez") is an international agreement between 184 countries that controls trade in endangered species. If a tree species is listed in CITES, you need special permits to export its wood across borders. This protects threatened trees from being logged to extinction.
How CITES Works
Three Appendices
Appendix I (Most Endangered):
- Trade banned except for exceptional cases
- Requires export AND import permits
- Examples: Brazilian Rosewood, some orchids
- Very few timber species
Appendix II (Trade Controlled):
- Trade allowed with permits
- Export permit required
- Most CITES-listed woods here
- Examples: Mahogany, Cocobolo, Rosewood
Appendix III (Country-Specific):
- One country requests trade help
- Export certificate required
- Less commonly used
Costa Rican CITES Trees
Appendix II Listings
Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa):
- CITES listed since 2013
- Export requires permit
- Valuable rosewood
- Overharvested historically
Caoba/Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla):
- CITES listed since 2003
- Bigleaf Mahogany
- Most valuable neotropical timber
- Illegal logging major problem
Cristóbal (Platymiscium pinnatum):
- CITES listed since 2019
- Rosewood family
- Export restrictions
- Growing scarcity
Dalbergias (Rosewoods):
- ALL Dalbergia species listed 2017
- Includes Cocobolo
- Response to Asian rosewood crisis
- Protects lesser-known species
Why Trees Get Listed
Threats Triggering CITES
- Overexploitation: Logging faster than regeneration
- High value: Expensive wood = incentive to poach
- Slow growth: Takes decades to replace
- Small range: Endemic or restricted distribution
- Poor enforcement: Weak protection in source countries
Impact on Trade
Legal Requirements
Exporting CITES wood:
- Obtain export permit from country of origin
- Prove legal harvest
- Demonstrate non-detrimental to species
- Track chain of custody
- Pay fees
Importing:
- Present export permit at border
- Import permit may be required (Appendix I)
- Customs inspections
- Documentation kept for years
Penalties
Violations:
- Confiscation of wood/products
- Heavy fines (thousands to millions)
- Criminal charges
- Import/export bans
- International arrest warrants
Exemptions
What's Not Regulated
Personal effects:
- Musical instruments (traveling with owner)
- Small personal items
- Must meet weight/value limits
Antiques:
- Wood worked before CITES listing
- Must prove age (documentation)
- Still controlled in some countries
Plantations:
- Wood from certified plantations
- Requires plantation certificate
- Must be verified sustainable
- Reduces pressure on wild trees
Verification
How to Check if Wood is CITES
Official resources:
- CITES Species+ database (online)
- Check scientific name (genus + species)
- Verify current appendix
- Note: Listings change over time
Key families often listed:
- Dalbergia (rosewoods)
- Diospyros (ebonies)
- Swietenia (mahogany)
- Cedrela (Spanish cedar)
- Guaiacum (lignum vitae)
Conservation Impact
Success Stories
When CITES works:
- Mahogany: Illegal trade reduced 90%
- Awareness raised globally
- Incentive for sustainable forestry
- Funding for enforcement
- Protected area creation
Challenges:
- Illegal logging continues
- Corruption weakens enforcement
- Look-alike species issues
- Identification difficult
- Limited resources
For Woodworkers
Working with CITES Woods
Best practices:
- Buy from reputable certified suppliers
- Request documentation
- Save permits and receipts
- Don't cross borders without permits
- Consider alternatives (non-CITES)
Alternatives:
- Plantation-grown CITES species
- Similar non-CITES woods
- Domestic species
- Certified sustainable sources
- Reclaimed/salvaged wood
Costa Rica's Role
National Implementation
Forest Law:
- All logging requires permits
- Chain of custody tracking
- CITES compliance mandatory
- Penalties for violations
SINAC (National Conservation System):
- Issues CITES permits
- Monitors wild populations
- Enforces regulations
- Works with customs
Future Listings
Trees at Risk
Candidates for CITES:
- Cocobolo relatives (other Dalbergia)
- Rare endemic hardwoods
- Overharvested species
- Climate change threatened
Why It Matters
Understanding CITES helps with:
- Legal compliance: Avoid illegal trade
- Conservation: Support protection
- Wood selection: Choose sustainable options
- Travel: Know restrictions
- Antiques: Verify legality of old items
Red Flags
Signs of illegal trade:
- No documentation
- Unusually cheap prices
- "Don't worry about permits"
- Secretive suppliers
- Crossing borders without papers
Resources
Check CITES status:
- CITES website: cites.org
- Species+ database
- CITES app (mobile)
- National wildlife agency
In Costa Rica:
- SINAC offices
- Customs at borders
- Forest conservation police
- Environmental courts
Consumer Power
Support enforcement:
- Buy only documented wood
- Ask for permits/certificates
- Report suspicious activity
- Choose plantation-grown
- Support certified forestry
- Educate others
- Advocate for stronger protection