Licenses and Permits

In August 2016, CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) passed a law prohibiting trade in elephant hair. Retailers still in possession of elephant hair and in possession of a wildlife traders license (allowing them to sell elephant hair jewelry) are allowed to sell their products until such time as their stocks run out. You are allowed to have an elephant hair bracelet in any country provided that it is purchased from a licensed trader.

A CITES permit is issued by the trader and travels with the bracelets. The application for this document takes around 7 days. On arrival at customs in your country there are inspections by Wildlife authorities and customs. The time this takes varies from country to country.

The CITES is REMOVED from the package and your bracelet legally enters your country.

As an individual you are NOT allowed to travel outside your country in possession of an elephant hair bracelet. The only time that you are allowed to have a bracelet in your possession when travelling outside your country is if you are a Registered Wildlife Trader who has a permit allowing you to sell jewelry containing elephant hair.