Huang Xinao
To ensure national biosecurity and public health security, and to mitigate the legal or criminal risks associated with acquiring "exotic pets," enthusiasts should familiarize themselves with the relevant laws enacted in China pertaining to "exotic pets."
(I) Article 60 of the "Biosecurity Law of the People's Republic of China" states that no organization or individual may introduce, release, or discard exotic species without prior approval. Article 80: Any unauthorized introduction of exotic species without approval, in violation of this law, shall be handled by the relevant departments of the people's government at or above the county level according to their respective responsibilities. The introduced exotic species shall be confiscated, and a fine ranging from RMB 50,000 to RMB 250,000 shall be imposed. Any unauthorized release or abandonment of exotic species without approval, in violation of this law, shall be handled by the relevant departments of the people's government at or above the county level according to their respective responsibilities. The responsible parties shall be ordered to capture or retrieve the released or abandoned exotic species within a specified period, and shall be subject to a fine ranging from RMB 10,000 to RMB 50,000.
(II) According to the "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine" and its associated regulations, any individuals or entities importing, carrying, or mailing animals, plants, their derived products, or other quarantine-imposed items into the territory must undergo quarantine inspection by the port's animal and plant quarantine department and fulfill the legally required quarantine approval procedures. Items not quarantined are prohibited from entry
(III) The "List of Animals and Plants, Their Products, and Other Quarantine-Prohibited Items for Entry into the People's Republic of China" specifies that live animals (excluding dogs and cats), comprising all mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and other invertebrates, as well as genetic materials from animals, are forbidden from being carried or mailed into the country.
(IV) The Wild Animal Conservation Law of the People's Republic of China mandates the prohibition of the sale, purchase, or utilization of wild animals and their products that are under national protection. Where the sale, purchase or utilization of wildlife under special state protection or the products thereof is necessary for scientific research, captive breeding, public exhibition or performances, heritage conservation or other special purposes, the unit involved shall obtain the approval of departments of wildlife protection under the people’s government of provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities, and shall obtain and use special markings in line with regulations, and shall guarantee traceability. Exemptions may be provided by other regulations that designated a different authorization agency by the State Council. The sale and utilization of terrestrial wildlife with important ecological, scientific and social values, wildlife under special local protection and the products thereof shall require the provision of proof of legal origin, such as hunting, captive breeding, import or export permit. The sale of wildlife as stipulated in the second and fourth paragraphs of this Article shall also require proof of quarantine, in accordance with the law.
(V) According to the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Import and Export of Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora, the import or export of endangered wild fauna and flora and their derivatives require submitting an import/export permit to customs, undergoing necessary inspections, and completing quarantine procedures.
(Author Affiliation: Haikou Customs)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Inspection and Quarantine Times. The China Inspection and Quarantine Times version shall prevail.
