Trade in protected species: primates

All primate species are included in Appendix I or Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). To import into Canada an Appendix II primate, you will need an export permit issued by the exporting country. However, if the species is included in Appendix I of CITES, you will need a CITES export permit from the exporting country and also a Canadian CITES import permit. For more details you can consult the section Permits or Contact us.

To import primates into Canada, you must also meet the requirements of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that prohibits the importation of primates as pets from any country other than the United States of America (USA). Import permits will only be issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for primates from countries other than the USA for display in a zoo, show or exhibition (this only applies to macaques at this time), or for scientific research.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA also prohibits the importation of primates as pets and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) also recommends that the importation of primates as pets should not be allowed.