International Wood International Wood 2004

D N A Permits s t i Certificates m s e r Pe ificat t r Ce AND “ PA S S P O R T S ” F O R S U S T A I N A B L E , L E G A L T R A D E Imported wood products undergo clear and definite legal checks before the product is made available to con- sumers. All wood imported into the United States has to clear custom inspections at both ends of the supply chain. Some woods have extra requirements before they are allowed legal entry into the United States. Although small in number, these certain woods go through extra hoops to ensure that international trade does not threat- en their survival in the wild. CITES Briefer The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates trade in these certain species through a system of permits. Under CITES, certain species are listed at one of three levels of protection, each with varying requirements. Designated CITES officials in each country are the only authorized issuers of CITES documents. Any trade in CITES specimens without CITES documents is regarded as illegal. The Scientific Authority is responsible for deter- mining, on the basis of scientific information, whether trade may harm the survival of a species. There must also be a finding by the Management Authority that speci- mens were legally obtained and in compliance with all laws and regulations that govern the protection of CITES listed plants. These findings can be generically applied and used to establish export quotas or limitations. Not all products made of a listed species require CITES permits. For example, CITES export permits for Big-Leaf mahogany are required only for logs, sawnwood, veneer and plywood. Furniture and furniture parts are not covered. Appendix I of CITES includes species presently threat- ened with extinction that may be affected by trade. Trade CITES Authority 34 IMPORTED WOOD Exporter in Appendix I species is not permitted for commercial purposes. Some trade may be permitted, but only for conservation or scientific purposes. The most notable timber species on Appendix I is Brazilian Rosewood ( D albergia nigra ). Appendix II species are not currently threatened with extinction, but may become so if trade is not regulated. This Appendix also controls trade of “look-alike” species that are difficult to distinguish from regulated species. Big Leaf mahogany ( S. macrophylla ) is listed on Appendix II. This beautiful wood, veneer and plywood continues to be used for furniture, doors, musical instruments and other high-end applications. Appendix CITES Species Below is a partial CITES-list by common trade name. For the complete list, ask your IWPA supplier or visit http://citestimber.fws.gov/timber/treespecies.html A P P E N D I X I I A P P E N D I X Aloewood Ajo Holywood lignum vitae Red-lemur Palm Triangle Palm Afrormosia, African Teak African Cherry, Stinkwood Red Sandalwood, Redsanders Pacific Coast Mahogany Big Leaf Mahogany Caribbean Mahogany Himalayan Yew Customs I I I Spanish Cedar Almendro Giogi, Champak Nepal Black Pine Importer Consumer

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