China has informed the CITES Parties that as of 1 July 2019 new versions of the permits and certificates were used by CITES Management Authority in China. Further they have advised that the older versions will remain valid until 1 January 2020.
Forms for the new permits and certificates
There are many new forms covering: Import permits, Export permits, Re-export certificate, Introduction from the sea certificate, Certificate for Multiple cross-border transfer of musical instruments which contain restricted fauna and flora parts, Travelling exhibition of specimens certificate, Multiple cross-border transfer of privatelyowned live animals (certificate of ownership); Erhu (a two-stringed bowed musical instrument) carried in as hand luggage by individuals abroad (personnel and household goods certificate).
For certificate types, currently, both electronic and paper certificates will be used at the same time except for the following two cases where only electronic certificates can be issued: 1) specimens of species included in Appendix I which do not meet the exemption conditions; 2) introduction from the sea.
There are enhanced security features in the new permits and certificates. The new document has a number of anticounterfeiting measures such as an almost invisible watermark.
Queries on certificates can be obtained by scanning the two-dimensional barcode on the certificates or going to https://cites.singlewindow.cnl/certver/cites and inputting the permit or certificate security number and serial number.