Huge headache importing wildcat fur into the USA

[Tu_che_le_vanità]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Art-floor-decor-Fur-rug-natural-fur-Fox-Arctic-fox-Wild-cat-Sheep/274149647730?hash=item3fd497a572:g:4ekAAOSwt-hd-lFc

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Art-floor-decor-Fur-rug-natural-fur-Fox-Arctic-fox-Wild-cat-Sheep/274149647730?hash=item3fd497a572:g:4ekAAOSwt-hd-lFc

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Art-floor-decor-Fur-rug-natural-fur-Fox-Arctic-fox-Wild-cat-Sheep/274149646453?hash=item3fd497a075:g:ULwAAOSwbn1d-lB3

 

I live in California.  I was interested in buying one of the fur rugs listed above, all listed by the same seller.

This month, I emailed the US Fish and Wildlife Service about a fur rug that included wildcat fur from the species Felis sylvestris, the European wildcat.   The fur rug is listed above.  The outer ring is made of wildcat fur and the other furs are sheep fur and fox fur.  The seller is located in Nalchik, Russia.  Here is what I was told. 

I needed to get the original Russian CITES permit from the seller.  I needed to apply for a US CITES permit.  I needed to list the scientific names of each species of fox that was used to make the fur rug.  I needed to pay a $93 inspection fee.  I needed the seller to send the pelts to the nearest designated port of inspection.  After a US Fish and Wildlife agent inspected the fur rug, I could come by the office to pick it up.  The nearest designated port of entry is LAX and the nearest US Fish and Wildlife Office is in Torrance, Los Angeles County.  This would have required a multi-hour drive one way and then a return trip of the same or longer duration.  Needless to say, I decided against buying one of the fur rugs.

If I were a commercial wildlife importer/exporter, which I am not, I would have needed to apply for a special license which would require annual renewal.  The special license costs $$$$$.

 

Edited January 26, 2020 by Tu_che_le_vanità

[Tu_che_le_vanità]

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Art-floor-decor-Fur-rug-natural-fur-Fox-Arctic-fox-Wild-cat-Sheep/274150771779?hash=item3fd4a8cc43:g:xOYAAOSwTkVd-yJU

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Art-floor-decor-Fur-rug-natural-fur-Fox-Arctic-fox-Wild-cat-Sheep/274149646453?hash=item3fd497a075:g:ULwAAOSwbn1d-lB3

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Art-floor-decor-Fur-rug-natural-fur-Fox-Arctic-fox-Wild-cat-Sheep/274149647730?hash=item3fd497a572:g:4ekAAOSwt-hd-lFc

I live in California.  I was interested in buying one of the fur rugs listed above, all listed by the same seller.

This month, I emailed the US Fish and Wildlife Service about a fur rug that included wildcat fur from the species Felis sylvestris, the European wildcat.  The European wildcat is listed on CITES Appendix II.  The fur rug is listed above.  The outer ring is made of wildcat fur and the other furs are sheep fur and fox fur.  The seller is located in Nalchik, Russia.  Here is what I was told. 

I needed to get the original Russian CITES permit from the seller.  I needed to apply for a US CITES permit.  I needed to list the scientific names of each species of fox that was used to make the fur rug.  I needed to pay a $93 inspection fee.  I needed the seller to send the pelts to the nearest designated port of inspection.  After a US Fish and Wildlife agent inspected the fur rug, I could come by the office to pick it up.  The nearest designated port of entry is LAX and the nearest US Fish and Wildlife Office is in Torrance, Los Angeles County.  This would have required a multi-hour drive one way and then a return trip of the same or longer duration.  Needless to say, I decided against buying one of the fur rugs.

If I were a commercial wildlife importer/exporter, which I am not, I would have needed to apply for a special license which would require annual renewal.  The special license costs $$$$$.

 

 

[lynxette]

I personally think a lot of this is just a lot of rigamarole caused by how the seller does their paperwork.  As an individual buyer buying for your own personal use, you do not need any permits etc.  only if you are buying to resell the item .  I have had similar issues with certain cases and my attorney set them straight on it.