Federal Law No. (5) of 2025 Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Federal Law No. (5) of 2025
The Law regulates and controls international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora in the UAE, including permits and certificates, registration, border controls, CITES-related authorities, special categories of specimens, seizures, enforcement and penalties. It entered into force on 1 January 2026.
Overview
What this legislation covers
The Law regulates and controls international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora in the UAE, including permits and certificates, registration, border controls, CITES-related authorities, special categories of specimens, seizures, enforcement and penalties. It entered into force on 1 January 2026.
Who or what it applies to
- Importers, exporters and re-exporters of CITES-regulated specimens.
- Owners and traders of listed wild fauna and flora specimens.
- Zoos, circuses, scientific institutions, veterinary clinics and covered establishments.
- Border, customs, environmental and enforcement authorities.
- Persons transporting or possessing regulated specimens in covered circumstances.
Key points
Important points at a glance
Implements a federal framework for international trade in endangered wild fauna and flora.
Defines the roles of the National Management Authority and Scientific Authority.
Requires permits, certificates and border controls for regulated specimens.
Regulates Appendix I, II and III specimens and exceptional trade situations.
Creates registration obligations for covered persons and establishments.
Addresses personal and household effects and ownership certificates.
Regulates scientific institutions, zoos, circuses, establishments and veterinary clinics.
Provides seizure, confiscation and enforcement powers.
Includes criminal penalties for unauthorised trade and document/marking violations.
Requires Executive Regulations within six months from entry into force.
Practical explanation
Understanding the law
Purpose and legislative background
The Law updates the UAE federal framework for implementing controls associated with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It regulates the movement, trade, possession and documentation of specimens within the categories and circumstances set out in the Law.
Scope and who it applies to
The statute applies to covered specimens and consignments imported into, exported or re-exported from, introduced from the sea, transited through or otherwise dealt with in the UAE in circumstances specified by the Law. It also regulates traders, establishments, veterinary clinics, scientific institutions, zoos and circuses where the relevant provisions apply.
Key definitions
Article 1 defines specimen, species, Appendices, authorities, permits, certificates, consignments and other technical concepts. Accurate species classification is fundamental because different controls and penalties may attach to Appendix I, II or III specimens.
Main rights and obligations
- Obtain the correct permit or certificate before controlled import, export, re-export or other covered movement.
- Use designated border ports and comply with inspection and documentary controls.
- Register where the Law requires registration.
- Maintain lawful-possession evidence for covered specimens.
- Ensure establishments and veterinary clinics verify and retain required documentation.
- Do not alter official marks or use false or misleading documents.
Procedures and compliance
A compliant transaction normally requires classification of the specimen, confirmation of the relevant Appendix, verification of origin and lawful possession, selection of the correct permit/certificate route, compliance with port requirements and retention of documentation. Exceptional cases—such as personal effects, scientific institutions, captive-bred specimens or trade with non-Parties—have separate rules and should not be assumed to follow the standard route.
Deadlines and time limits
The Law entered into force on 1 January 2026. Article 22 provides a three-year validity period for the personal-specimen ownership certificate. Article 41 requires Executive Regulations within six months from entry into force. Other permit and certificate periods vary and must be checked by certificate type.
Enforcement, violations and penalties
Articles 27–34 establish the criminal and financial consequences for specified conduct. Serious unauthorised trade involving Appendix I specimens carries substantial custodial and monetary penalties; Appendix II/III conduct and documentation/marking offences have separate sanctions. Confiscation, recidivism consequences and deportation may apply in the circumstances stated by the official law.
Practical scenarios
- A business imports a listed reptile product and verifies the Appendix classification and permit route before shipment.
- A zoo transfers a listed specimen internationally and checks the special institutional provisions.
- A traveller carries a personal specimen and checks whether the personal-effects or ownership-certificate rules apply.
- A veterinary clinic receives a listed specimen and verifies the legally required provenance documents before treatment or transfer.
Amendments and related legislation
The Law contains repeal and transition provisions and requires Executive Regulations. During this research pass, no later amendment to the Law itself was identified. The current Convention Appendices and official implementing decisions should be checked because species listings can change independently of the statutory text.
What businesses and individuals should check
- Scientific name and current CITES Appendix.
- Whether a permit, certificate, ownership certificate or registration is required.
- Whether the selected UAE border point is authorised.
- Validity dates and non-transferability/assignment restrictions on documents.
- Lawful-possession evidence and chain of custody.
- Current Executive Regulations and administrative procedures.
When professional interpretation may be useful
Interpretation may be useful for mixed-species products, pre-Convention specimens, captive-bred/artificially propagated specimens, transit movements, scientific exchanges, seizures, forfeiture or disputes over classification and lawful possession.
Practical notes
- Species and Appendix classification should be checked before contracting, shipping or moving a specimen.
- Permits and certificates should be verified for validity, authenticity, scope and port of entry/exit.
- Documentation should be retained because false or incomplete documents and registration failures can trigger significant enforcement consequences.
Legislation text
Text and provisions
Source and language note: This file is a structured English rendering prepared for informational use from the legislation published through official UAE sources. It is not presented as the authoritative statutory text. For interpretation and application, the original Arabic legislation published by the UAE authorities controls; if there is any conflict, the Arabic text prevails.
The rendering below covers every numbered article identified in the verified legislative structure. It is designed for navigation and legal-information use; exact statutory wording, schedules, tables, monetary thresholds and exceptions must be checked against the linked official source.
Legislative structure and article-by-article rendering
Article (1) — Definitions
This article regulates definitions within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (2) — Scope of Application of the Law
Defines the specimens, transactions and situations to which the Law applies, within the UAE framework implementing international controls on trade in endangered wild fauna and flora.
Article (3) — Prohibited Acts
Sets the principal prohibited acts under the Law, including conduct involving regulated specimens contrary to permit, certificate, registration and trade controls.
Article (4) — Competences of the National Management Authority
Allocates responsibilities to the National Management Authority for permits, certificates, administration and implementation of the Convention-related trade controls.
Article (5) — Competences of the Scientific Authority
Defines the Scientific Authority’s expert and scientific functions in assessing trade, conservation and other matters required by the law and Convention framework.
Article (6) — Border Ports
This article regulates border ports within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (7) — Import and Export of Specimens and Consignments
This article regulates import and export of specimens and consignments within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (8) — Introduction from the Sea
This article regulates introduction from the sea within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (9) — Regulation of International Trade in Exceptional Cases
This article regulates regulation of international trade in exceptional cases within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (10) — Granting of Certificates
Regulates the circumstances and requirements for granting permits and certificates for covered trade or movement.
Article (11) — Validity of Certificates
Regulates the period and conditions of validity of certificates and permits; the exact validity rule depends on certificate type and should be checked in the official text.
Article (12) — Transfer or Assignment of Certificates
This article regulates transfer or assignment of certificates within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (13) — Withdrawal, Cancellation or Amendment of Certificates
This article regulates withdrawal, cancellation or amendment of certificates within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (14) — Retention of Certificates Used in Consignments
This article regulates retention of certificates used in consignments within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (15) — Appendix I Specimens
This article regulates appendix i specimens within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (16) — Disposal of Captive-Bred and Artificially Propagated Specimens
This article regulates disposal of captive-bred and artificially propagated specimens within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (17) — International Trade with Non-Parties
This article regulates international trade with non-parties within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (18) — Entry and Exit of Consignments
This article regulates entry and exit of consignments within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (19) — Registration
Requires registration for persons, establishments or activities covered by the registration regime specified by the Law.
Article (20) — Transit Specimens
This article regulates transit specimens within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (21) — Personal and Household Effects
This article regulates personal and household effects within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (22) — Certificate of Ownership for Personal Specimens
Provides for an ownership certificate for personal specimens; the verified law provides a three-year validity period for this certificate.
Article (23) — Proof of Lawful Possession
This article regulates proof of lawful possession within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (24) — Scientific Institutions
This article regulates scientific institutions within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (25) — Zoos and Circuses
This article regulates zoos and circuses within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (26) — Obligations of Establishments and Veterinary Clinics
This article regulates obligations of establishments and veterinary clinics within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (27) — More Severe Penalty
This article regulates more severe penalty within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (28) — Penalties for Appendix I Conduct
Provides the principal penalties for specified unauthorised conduct involving Appendix I specimens, including custodial and monetary sanctions, confiscation, recidivism consequences and deportation in the cases stated by the official article.
Article (29) — Penalties for Appendix II and III Conduct
Provides penalties for specified unauthorised conduct involving Appendix II and Appendix III specimens, with the exact sanctions and consequences stated in the official article.
Article (30) — Unregistered Possession or Sale
Penalises specified possession or sale of specimens without the required registration.
Article (31) — False, Forged or Misleading Documents
Penalises use or submission of false, forged or misleading documents in connection with the statutory regime.
Article (32) — Tampering with Official Marks
Penalises tampering with official marks or identifiers used under the Law.
Article (33) — Establishment and Veterinary Clinic Documentation Violations
Provides monetary penalties for specified failures by establishments and veterinary clinics concerning required documentation and verification.
Article (34) — Costs of Seizure and Handling
Places specified seizure, custody, handling, transport or disposal costs on the offender in the circumstances stated by the Law.
Article (35) — Judicial Enforcement
This article regulates judicial enforcement within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (36) — Notification of Seizures
This article regulates notification of seizures within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (37) — Implementation
This article regulates implementation within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (38) — Convention Appendices
This article regulates convention appendices within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (39) — Specimens Possessed Before Listing
This article regulates specimens possessed before listing within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (40) — Fees
This article regulates fees within the statutory framework. The official text should be consulted for the precise conditions, exceptions, powers, procedural steps, thresholds and legal consequences attached to this subject.
Article (41) — Executive Regulations
Requires the Cabinet to issue the Executive Regulations within six months from the Law’s entry into force.
Article (42) — Repeals
Repeals the previous legislation and conflicting provisions as specified, while addressing transitional continuity of implementing instruments where applicable.
Article (43) — Publication and Entry into Force
Requires publication in the Official Gazette and provides that the Law enters into force on the day following publication.
Verification
Official source & references
Official legislation sourcehttps://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/3994Open ↗This page is a research and educational resource. Legislation can be amended, repealed, supplemented by regulations or interpreted by courts and authorities. Obtain advice before relying on it for a live matter.