CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) or the Washington Convention regulates trade in endangered animal and plant species. Signed in 1973 with 180+ member countries including Switzerland. Species are divided into three appendices: I (trade banned), II (trade permitted with export permit), III (protected by individual countries, certificate of origin needed). Any shipment containing CITES-derived products (leather, timber, live animals, natural pharmaceutical ingredients) requires specific permits. In Switzerland, the competent authority is FSVO (Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office). Update: CoP20 (20th Conference of the Parties), concluded on 5 December 2025 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), introduced new protections for several species and strengthened enforcement measures against illegal trade. Penalties for illegal trade: confiscation, fines up to CHF 40,000, criminal proceedings.