Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: [number] of 2025
- Issued Date: 26 Dec 2025
- Effective Date: 01 Jan 2026
- Official Gazette: No. 814
- Sector: Environment and Natural Resources
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 90
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Law regulates and controls the international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora in the United Arab Emirates. Its purpose is to implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to which the UAE is a party. The law establishes the National Management Authority and Scientific Authority responsible for administering and enforcing the regulations on the import, export, re-export, and introduction from the sea of endangered species specimens. It also imposes penalties for non-compliance, including fines and imprisonment. The law is important for businesses and individuals involved in the trade of endangered species, as well as for environmental protection efforts in the UAE. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 1-3)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The scope of this law applies to all territories of the UAE, including the Free Zones, and covers specimens and endangered species listed in the Appendices of the CITES Convention. The law prohibits the import, export, re-export, transit, or introduction from the sea of any specimen of the species listed in the Appendices through all border ports, unless in compliance with the provisions of the law. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 2-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- State: The United Arab Emirates
- Minister: The Minister of Climate Change and Environment
- Convention: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
- National Management Authority: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
- Scientific Authority: The entity designated by a Cabinet resolution
- Specimen: Any animal or plant, whether live or dead, listed in the Appendices, or any readily recognizable part or derivative thereof
- International Trade: Any act of export, re-export, import, introduction from the sea, or transit through the UAE of specimens of endangered species listed in the Appendices
- Export: The transport of any specimen of native species or locally bred species to any other country through the UAE border ports
- Import: The landing, attempted landing, bringing in, or entry of any specimen through the UAE border ports under customs procedures, excluding transit and transshipment
- Re-Export: The export of any specimen that has previously been imported
- Introduction from the Sea: The transport of specimens of any species listed in the Appendices into the UAE from the marine environment not under the jurisdiction of any country
(Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The main obligations and requirements under this law include: 1. Prohibiting the import, export, re-export, transit, or introduction from the sea of any specimen of the species listed in the Appendices through all border ports, unless in compliance with the law. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 3) 2. Requiring the National Management Authority to implement the law, monitor enforcement, issue certificates regulating international trade, coordinate with the CITES Secretariat and other countries, maintain data, prepare reports, and dispose of seized specimens. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 4) 3. Requiring the Scientific Authority to provide scientific opinions and advice to the National Management Authority on various matters related to the implementation of the law and the Convention. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 5)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements for individuals or businesses. However, it does require the National Management Authority to register scientific and commercial establishments in the UAE with the CITES Secretariat, including breeding centers and nurseries propagating specimens of species listed in Appendix I. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 4(14))
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law does not explicitly mention any specific rights or protections granted to individuals or businesses. The focus of the law is on regulating and controlling the international trade in endangered species to implement the CITES Convention and ensure the protection of these species.
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities responsible for enforcement under this law are: 1. The National Management Authority (the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment), which is responsible for implementing the law, monitoring enforcement, issuing certificates, and coordinating with the CITES Secretariat and other countries. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 4) 2. The Scientific Authority, which is designated by a Cabinet resolution and is responsible for providing scientific opinions and advice to the National Management Authority on various matters related to the implementation of the law and the Convention. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 5) 3. The Concerned Authorities, which are any federal or local government authorities having the capacity of judicial officers in establishing violations of the provisions of this law. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 1)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law specifies the following penalties for non-compliance: 1. Imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years and/or a fine not exceeding AED 1 million. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 28(1)) 2. Imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years and/or a fine not exceeding AED 500,000 for repeat offenses. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 28(2)) 3. Confiscation of the specimens involved in the violation. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 34) 4. Bearing of financial costs by the offender for the storage, transportation, and disposal of the confiscated specimens. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 34)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law does not specify any fees, charges, or other financial provisions related to the international trade in endangered species. It only states that the National Management Authority may charge fees for the issuance of certificates, but the specific amounts are not provided. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 40)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not mention any specific exemptions or exceptions to its requirements. It applies to all specimens and endangered species listed in the Appendices of the CITES Convention, without any stated exemptions.
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures for resolving disputes that may arise under its provisions.
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law does not mention any specific deadlines or time limits for the implementation of its provisions or the performance of any actions required by the National Management Authority or other authorities.
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references the following related UAE legislation: 1. Federal Law No. 1 of 1972 Regarding the Competences of the Ministries and the Powers of the Ministers, as amended. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Preamble) 2. Federal Law No. 11 of 2002 Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which this law repeals. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Art. 42)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was issued on 26 December 2025 and came into effect on 1 January 2026, as stated in the law. (Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2025, Issued Date and Effective Date)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law Regarding the Regulation and Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.