Apply for an export permit

A permit is required to export wildlife out of B.C.

Eligibility

In order to apply for an export permit ( see section 5, Wildlife Act Permit Restrictions), you must be one of the following:

  • 19 years of age or older
  • 10-18 years old, and have the written consent of a parent or guardian

Overview

This application is for a new or replacement export permit which is required by individuals and organizations who are exporting i) live or dead wildlife, ii) parts of wildlife or iii) an egg of a wildlife species out of British Columbia to other Canadian provinces or out of Canada unless an exemption under section 24, Wildlife Act Permit Restrictions applies to them.

The following animals require a CITES permit, not an export permit, if the animal is leaving Canada:

  • Black bear (Ursus americanus)
  • Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos)
  • Cougar a.k.a. mountain lion (Puma concolor)
  • Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
  • Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis)
  • River otter (Lontra canadensis)
  • Gray/timber wolf (Canis lupus)

Costs

  • $30 for personal use (includes hunting trophies and personal purchases)
  • $55 for any other use

The $5.00 Habitat Conservation Trust Fund surcharge is included in the above fees.

You are eligible for a fee exemption if you are one of the following:

  • A government agency or a person carrying out an activity on behalf of a government agency
  • A person who requires a permit for the purposes of non-profit scientific research (see section 23, Wildlife Act Permit Regulation).

Fees can be paid online at the time of application, or at a FrontCounter BC location. See payment guidelines for more information.

Fees calculated on the electronic fish and wildlife application may not be the complete final fee. A permit clerk will contact you if late fees are owed or if other licence specific fees are outstanding.

Apply

Collect the following information and documents before you start your online application.

Information requirements

You will need to provide the following information:

  • Is this a new or replacement permit?
  • Is the permit for live wildlife, parts of wildlife, or an egg of a wildlife species?
  • Use of wildlife (personal or other)
  • Information of applicant (person applying for and paying for this permit)
  • Information of exporter (person or business carrying or shipping wildlife or wildlife parts out of B.C.)
    • NOTE: Exporters must have a B.C. address
  • Information of consignee (person receiving the wildlife)
  • Contents of shipment
  • Species

For live wildlife

  • Public Safety and Wildlife Welfare Plan (PDF, 1.9MB)
  • Description of the purpose of this activity and any special circumstances the ministry should be aware of
  • Proof of lawful possession of the wildlife and that the permit allows the issuance of an export permit. Include the permit number or a copy of the permit

For dead wildlife

  • Location of harvest (for example, Management Unit 4-18)
  • Description of wildlife (see below for further requirements)
  • Information that shows the wildlife was legally harvested (hunter number, species licence number*, non-resident hunting licence number, fur trader licence nmber, trapline number, status number, etc.)
  • Compulsory Inspection Number* – if applicable (see below)
  • PIN (aka PLUG) number  - if applicable (see below)

*It is recommended that you provide copies of these documents so that your application can be processed more efficiently however it is not a requirement.

Description of wildlife

  • Mounts
    • Type of mount (i.e. life-size mount, head mount, shoulder mount)
    • If antlered, please advise if the skull is attached
  • Capes, hides or rugs
    • Life-size or half-size
    • Head, paws and claws attached
    • Frozen, raw, salted, dried, or tanned
  • Skulls
    • Cleaned, whitened, boiled, bleached
    • Horns with skull
    • Antlers with skull cap
  • Meat
    • Approximate weight in kilograms or pounds

Compulsory inspection number and PIN number

Compulsory inspection number

The following animals MAY require a compulsory inspection form to be filled out after harvest. The compulsory inspection number must be included on the application in order to proceed with the application. Please see Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for specifics.

  • Moose
  • Cougar harvested in B.C.
  • Grizzly harvested in B.C.
  • Dall's sheep harvested in B.C.
  • Stone sheep harvested in B.C.
  • Mountain goat harvested in B.C.
  • Elk 
  • Caribou
  • Black bear
  • Lynx
  • Bobcat
  • Wolf

PIN number

The following animals require a PIN (aka PLUG) number be provided on the application in order to proceed with the application if the horns are included in what is being exported:

  • Stone sheep
  • Dall's sheep

Register for BCeID to submit an application to FrontCounter BC

A BCeID allows you to save, reopen and check the status of your natural resource application: 

  • Basic BCeID can be used in a personal capacity
  • Business BCeID is used when representing a legal entity 
Register

Submit an application

Once you have assembled the required information for your application, apply online.

Apply

Update your application

After you have submitted an application, you can amend or cancel it:

After you apply

Your application will go through the following process before any decision is made:

  1. Receiving the application
    Your application will be reviewed to ensure that it is complete. If necessary, you will be contacted for more information.

    An application will not be accepted and processed until all required information and application fee have been received.

  2. Decision making
    The target time frame for making a decision on your application is 30 days after a complete application is received. Processing time may be considerably longer if there is a required consultation process.

    FrontCounter BC staff will forward your application to the decision maker in the region who will review your application and make a decision.

  3. Issuance of permit
    A decision will be made on whether to issue a permit or not after a full review of your submission.

NOTE: If you used a BCeID and a licence or permit is issued, you can download it from Manage your natural resource applications by logging in using your BCeID.

Application enquiries

Read more about application processing and how to check the status of your application.

Contact information

Find the FrontCounter BC office closest to you.

FrontCounter BC Toll Free
1-877-855-3222
Email
FrontCounterBC@gov.bc.ca

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