(a) Purpose. Article VI(2) of the Treaty sets the time period within which an export permit is valid. Validity periods for other CITES documents are prescribed in this section.

(b) Period of validity. CITES documents are valid only if presented for import or introduction from the sea within the period of validity (before midnight on the expiration date) noted on the face of the document.

(1) An export permit and re-export certificate will be valid for no longer than 6 months from the issuance date.

(2) An import permit, introduction-from-the-sea certificate, and certificate of origin will be valid for no longer than 12 months from the issuance date.

(3) A traveling-exhibition certificate and certificate of ownership will be valid for no longer than 3 years from the issuance date.

(4) Other CITES documents will state the period of their validity, but no U.S. CITES document will be valid for longer than 3 years from the issuance date.

(c) Extension of validity. The validity of a CITES document may not be extended beyond the expiration date on the face of the document, except under limited circumstances for certain timber species as outlined in §23.73.