Transporting plants and animals that are threatened with extinction is not allowed without a proper permission. Breaking that ban may result in a severe fine or even imprisonment. Such restriction refers to so-called endangered species (CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
The group consists not only of living or dead flora and fauna but also products that are related to them. So it is forbidden to transport a snake leather bag or a wolf skin coat.
Where to check what one can carry and what you cannot? The list of CITES is included in the Regulation of the European Commission (EC) No 318/2008 of 31 March 2008 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein.
So, one should not buy any of the following products: things made of animal skin, living or dissected reptiles, items made of bones of animals, shells, turtles or tortoises, living or dissected birds, souvenirs made of feathers of wild birds, cactuses and orchids, butterflies, products of the Chinese medicine, corals - as was emphasized by Marzena Siemieniu, the spokesperson for the Board of Customs in Biala Podlaska, in her speech for the web portal.
However if one wants to transport goods that are on the quoted on the CITES list to Poland, he/she has to put forward an application to the Polish Ministry of Environment, with the request of approval. A suitable document
