A CITES Export Permit is legally required for the international export of agarwood products derived from Aquilaria malaccensis and other species listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
WHAT IS A CITES EXPORT PERMIT?
A CITES Export Permit is a government-issued document that authorizes the legal international trade of a CITES-listed species—in this case, agarwood (wood chips, oil, dust, seedlings, or finished products derived from Aquilaria spp.).
In the Philippines, this permit is issued by the:
🏢 DENR – Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB)
CITES Management Authority – Philippines
WHEN DO YOU NEED A CITES EXPORT PERMIT?
You must apply for a CITES Export Permit if you are exporting any of the following products derived from Aquilaria malaccensis:
| Product Type | CITES Permit Required? |
|---|---|
| Agarwood logs or wood chips | ✅ Yes |
| Agarwood powder or sawdust | ✅ Yes |
| Agarwood oil or resin | ✅ Yes |
| Agarwood incense or finished goods (e.g., perfume, soaps) | ✅ Yes |
| Live seedlings or plants | ✅ Yes |
REQUIREMENTS FOR CITES EXPORT PERMIT
You must legally source and document your agarwood products before applying. Here’s what you’ll need:
Basic Documentary Requirements:
- Duly accomplished CITES Export Permit Application Form
- Available from DENR-BMB or Regional Office
- Letter of Intent addressed to the DENR-BMB Director
- Copy of Business Registration
- SEC or DTI Certificate
- BIR Certificate
- Mayor’s Permit
- Wildlife Permits
- Valid Wildlife Culture Permit (WCuP)
- Certificate of Wildlife Registration (CWR)
- Inventory and Source Documentation
- Volume and type of product (chips, oil, seedlings, etc.)
- Proof of origin (e.g., harvest report, inoculation logs)
- Optional: DNA barcoding results for species authenticity
- Sales Contract or Purchase Order
- From confirmed foreign buyer (with name, volume, product description, and destination country)
- Photos of Product & Packaging
FEES
- Permit Processing Fee: Varies based on volume and product type (typically ₱500–₱2,000+)
- Additional fees may apply for site inspection, laboratory verification, or expedited processing
PROCESSING TIME
- Standard: 15–30 working days
- With complete documents and clear legal chain of custody, the process is faster
- Expect site validation or random inspection by DENR Regional Office or BMB
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
Upon approval, you will receive:
CITES Export Permit (Original)
- Valid for 1 export shipment
- Must be presented at Philippine customs
- Also required by importing country’s CITES authority
IMPORTANT NOTES
- CITES permits are shipment-specific, not blanket licenses.
- All packaging must be labeled and match your declared export volume.
- You will also need:
- BOC Export Declaration (EED)
- Packing List and Commercial Invoice
- Possibly a Certificate of Origin (CO)
SAMPLE USE CASE
Company: Putz Agarwood Farm Corporation
Product: 50kg Grade A agarwood chips
Destination: Dubai, UAE
Buyer’s PO: Attached
Permit Needed: CITES Export Permit + Local Transport Permit (LTP)