some wild

bird feathers,

mounted

birds, skins,

and some

skin products

certain live

birds, including many parrots, macaws,

cockatoos,

and finches

all sea turtle

products

TRAFFIC North America

c/o World Wildlife Fund

1250 24th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20037

Tel: 202-293-4800

Fax: 202-775-8287

www.traffic.org

U.S. Fish & 

Wildlife Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Washington, DC 20240

1-800-344-9453

www.fws.gov

WATCH LIST

Prohibited imports include

Welcome to the

Caribbean!

When shopping during your Caribbean trip, be

aware that what you buy could affect the very 

environment you’ve come to enjoy. Although many

wildlife and plant products you see for sale come

from sustainably managed populations, you may

need permits to take them out of the country or

carry them into other countries. If a product is

made from endangered or illegally taken wildlife or

plants, it could be confiscated and even earn you a

fine. Buyer beware — read on for tips on what to

avoid, and where to find the rules you need to know

before making purchases.

A region of remarkable beauty, the Caribbean is

home to six of the world’s seven sea turtle species

and 14 percent of the world’s coral reefs. Nearly

one-third of the plants and animals in the Caribbean

islands are found nowhere else in the world.

Consequently, many Caribbean countries protect

their native wildlife under both national laws and the

Convention on International Trade in Endangered

Species (CITES). This comprehensive wildlife treaty,

signed by some 160 nations, monitors and regulates

international trade in wildlife and wildlife products,

and helps to ensure sustainable trade.

Please support the conservation efforts of Caribbean

nations: Learn the facts and ask questions before

you buy any wildlife or plant product. By making

informed choices, you can also avoid incurring

fines, having your purchases confiscated upon

departure from a Caribbean country or reentry to

your home country, or introducing an invasive

species in your home country. If you have questions

about a purchase, contact local authorities and/or

the CITES Management Authority office. Check the

Web sites of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

(www.le.fws.gov), World Wildlife Fund

(www.wwfus.org/buyerbeware), or CITES

(www.cites.org).

REMEMBER — 

WHEN IN DOUBT,

DON’T BUY!

Ask

✔ What is this product made of?

✔ Where did this product come from?

✔ Do I need any special documents or

permits to take this item home?

Questions about a purchase? Contact local

authorities and/or the CITES Management

Authority office, or check these resources

for the latest information:

www.le.fws.gov

www.wwfus.org/buyerbeware

www.cites.org Printed in 2003.

Cover photo: Hawksbill/Anja Burns

Stuffed green turtle/Nina Marshall

certain leather

products,

including

some made

from reptile

skins

certain

orchids, 

cacti, and

cycads

some corals

and coral

products

live 

monkeys

spotted cat

skin 

products

BUYER Beware

CARIBBEAN
Insects You can

find mounted butterflies, moths, and

other insects for sale

in the Caribbean, and

you may need permits

to bring these items

home.

Plants Plants, such as orchids, cacti, and

cycads, may be subject to national and international

conservation laws as well as strict pest regulation.

Many countries

inspect imported

plants and require

documents 

certifying that they

are pest- and 

disease-free.

Before you collect

seeds or buy live

plants to bring

home, remember

that species 

introduced into

new places can

become invasive,

crowding out and 

endangering

native plants. 

Caviar If you’re on a cruise or visit a duty-free

shop, you may have an opportunity to buy caviar. 

All sturgeon species are protected, and trade in

sturgeon meat and caviar is regulated worldwide.

Without a CITES permit, you may only bring home

250 grams (about 8.5 ounces) or less of most types

of caviar per person per trip.

Sea Turtles International trade in all sea turtle

products is prohibited, and most Caribbean countries

ban domestic sale, but poaching and commercial use

remain serious threats. Please do not buy any items

made of sea turtle, such as tortoiseshell items 

(jewelry, hairpins, etc.) or leather goods (wallets,

belts, etc.). Overcollection has contributed to the

decline of these turtles, and now all six species found

in the region are endangered. 

Corals Many

Caribbean 

countries have

laws protecting

coral reefs. Dried

coral sold in

stores as 

souvenirs, jewelry,

and aquarium 

decorations may

require permits or

be banned 

from export. 

Conch Many countries now regulate collection

and export of queen conch meat and shells.

Populations of queen conch in most areas of the

Caribbean have declined due to intensive fishing for

their meat and collection for their rare pearls and

their shells, which are sold whole or made into 

carvings or jewelry. 

Reptiles Reptiles are traded as pets. Their parts,

particularly their skins, are used for leather products

such as shoes,

wallets, handbags,

and watchbands.

Many products

are made from

reptiles from sustainably harvested

populations, but

some species in

trade are protected and may be

subject to export

restrictions.

Birds Parrots make engaging pets, but trade in

these birds requires permits. Also be aware that 

all birds face quarantine when you take them home.

Products containing the feathers of exotic and 

migratory birds may be off limits under international

and national laws.

BUYER BEWARE CARD

Carry this when you travel

WATCH LIST

✔ all sea turtle products

✔ certain leather products, including some

made from caiman, crocodiles, lizards,

and snakes

✔ certain live birds, including many parrots,

macaws, cockatoos, and finches

✔ some wild bird feathers, mounted birds,

skins, and some skin products

✔ live monkeys 

✔ spotted cat skin products

✔ some corals and coral products

✔ certain orchids, cacti, and cycads

Clip this card and keep it with you.

Other Species Other wildlife and wildlife 

products can also be found for sale in the

Caribbean. Among these are live monkeys, which

are almost universally protected from trade, and

products made from spotted cats, such as jaguars

and ocelots, whose skins are prohibited in trade.

Buyer Beware! Learn about

Trade in these Species

Loggerhead turtle/Anja Burns

Tubastrea coral/Andrew Bruckner Yellow-headed Amazon parrot/TRAFFIC

Windowsill orchid/Nina Marshall

Blue morpho butterfly/Dennis Glick

Caiman/Ginette Hemley Ocelot/Tony Rath

Small photos on back (L to R): E. Fleming; WWF/TRAFFIC; WWF; Steve

Hildebrand/USFWS; Howard W. Buffet; Andrew Bruckner; Michael Durham;

Linda R. McMahon