Are some plant parts, products, or derivatives exempt from CITES or ESA controls?
All living or dead plants listed under CITES and/or ESA require permits or certificates, including artificially propagated plants, hybrids, plant parts, products, and derivatives with a few exceptions. Under CITES, the exempt parts, products, and derivatives of Appendix-II plants and artificially propagated Appendix-I hybrids are: (a) seeds, spores, or pollen; (b) cut flowers of artificially propagated plants or hybrids; and (c) seedling or tissue culture in vitro in solid or liquid media transported in sterile containers. See cactus and orchid exemptions for specific exemptions for species in these families. Under the ESA, seeds of endangered plants require permits to be imported or exported. Seeds of threatened plants require permits if the seed came from wild plants, but do not require permits if the seeds are from artificially propagated plants. A label stating that the seeds are of cultivated origin must accompany the shipment of such seeds.
