Is Taxidermy Legal in the UAE? A Plain-English Guide to CITES Permits
Short answer: Yes. Taxidermy is legal in the UAE when the specimen was acquired lawfully. If the species is protected under CITES, the international convention on trade in endangered species, moving it across a border requires permits, and selling or displaying it without the right paperwork is an offence. UAE Federal Law No. 11 of 2002 sets the rules, and the penalties include prison and fines of up to AED 50,000.
Last updated 13 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the UAE's CITES Management Authority before you buy, sell or ship a specimen.
Key points
Taxidermy is not banned in the UAE, but trade in protected species is tightly controlled.
Under the law, a "specimen" is an animal, alive or dead, and its parts or derivatives. A mount, a skin or a skull of a listed species counts.
Each shipment needs its own permit or certificate, and permits are personal and cannot be transferred.
Exporting or re-exporting a listed species needs prior permission. Appendix I species also need an import permit.
If you hold a listed specimen, you may be required to prove it was legally acquired.
What is CITES?
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement that controls trade in wild animals and plants. The UAE implements it through Federal Law No. 11 of 2002. Species are listed in three Appendices:
Appendix I: species most at risk of extinction. Trade is allowed only in exceptional circumstances.
Appendix II: species that are not necessarily threatened now, but whose trade must be controlled so that they do not become threatened.
Appendix III: species that one country has asked other countries to help protect.
How UAE law applies to specimens
Federal Law No. 11 of 2002 regulates international trade in species listed in the CITES Appendices. In practice:
Export and re-export of a listed specimen needs a prior permit.
Import of an Appendix I species needs a prior import permit.
Import of an Appendix II species needs a prior export or re-export permit from the exporting country.
One shipment, one permit. Each shipment needs its own permit or certificate, and permits are personal and non-transferable.
Validity: export and re-export permits last six months, and import permits last one year.
Registration: people who trade in listed specimens must register with the Management Authority.
Proof of ownership: the holder bears the burden of proving that a specimen was legally acquired.
The UAE's CITES Management Authority sits within the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
Does this apply to taxidermy?
Yes, if the species is listed. The law covers animals "whether alive or dead" and their parts and derivatives, so a taxidermy mount, a skin, a skull or horns of a listed species is treated as a specimen. Common, unlisted species are not covered by CITES permits, but a clear paper trail showing where a piece came from is still good practice.
What are the penalties?
As written in the 2002 law:
Appendix I species without a valid permit: up to six months in prison and/or a fine of AED 10,000 to 50,000.
Appendix II or III species without a valid permit: imprisonment and a fine of AED 5,000 to 30,000.
Selling, offering or displaying unregistered specimens: imprisonment and/or a fine of AED 5,000 to 30,000.
Seizure: illegal specimens and their containers can be confiscated.
Penalties may have been updated since the law was passed, so check the current text.
A checklist before you buy a mount in the UAE
Species: ask for the scientific name, not just the common name.
Status: ask which CITES Appendix the species is in, or whether it is unlisted.
Paperwork: ask for the permit or certificate number and an invoice that shows where the specimen came from.
Seller: ask whether the seller is registered and can explain the documents.
Future plans: if you may ship the piece abroad later, ask whether the paperwork will support a CITES export permit.
Taking a mount out of the UAE
A listed specimen needs a CITES export permit from the UAE Management Authority before it leaves the country. Appendix I specimens also need an import permit from the destination country, and the destination may have its own rules. Apply before you ship, because each shipment needs its own permit.
Frequently asked questions
Is taxidermy legal in the UAE?
Yes, when the specimen was lawfully acquired. Trade in species listed under CITES is regulated by Federal Law No. 11 of 2002 and needs permits for import, export and re-export.
Do I need a permit to buy a taxidermy animal in the UAE?
The permit requirements in the law apply to import, export and re-export. However, the law also penalises selling, offering or displaying specimens that are not properly registered, so ask any seller for the species name, the CITES status and the paperwork.
Can I bring a taxidermy animal into the UAE?
Taxidermy is a restricted item at the border. It must be declared to customs, and a CITES-listed specimen needs the right permits. The Federal Customs Authority enforces these rules, so check with it before you travel.
How long is a CITES permit valid in the UAE?
Under the 2002 law, export and re-export permits are valid for six months, and import permits are valid for one year.
Which species are the most restricted?
Species in CITES Appendix I are the most restricted, and trade in them is allowed only in exceptional circumstances.
About Tribulus
Tribulus is a taxidermy and specimen studio in Dubai. We are named after the tribulus, the hardy yellow desert flower of the UAE, because we think of our craft the same way: small, resilient and beautiful in a harsh landscape. We record the species, origin and permit details for every piece we handle. Questions about a piece or its paperwork? Email us at info@tribulus.ae.
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