New Opening Hours and Licences Processing Procedures for MEPA’s CITES Office

The CITES (Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species) office within the Malta Environment and Planning Authority would like to inform all importers and exporters requiring its services of the new office opening hours, and licences processing procedures.

Endorsement of Customs entry forms

The CITES office will be open for the endorsement of Customs entry forms every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 12pm, safeguarding public holidays. Exceptions to this three day system will only be granted for occasional late/early entries of perishable goods, provided that this office is informed with the entry at the earliest.

Processing of Import Licences

Import licences which are up for renewal may be brought at the office during these stipulated times. Licenses are processed on a first come first served basis and the Authority has a maximum of 60 working days to process these licences. Thus it is encouraged that licenses are submitted in a way so as to allow for the necessary time.

The new two-track processing system

The CITES office would like to introduce a new two track system:

The Fast Track- for licences with a list of species which has/have been previously processed by this office; and

The New Species Track – for licences of new species which will be processed under the normal procedure. Such procedure may be lengthy at times due to the assistance required from third parties. 

The Fast Track

Importers who wish to avail themselves of the fast track option are requested to bring their old licence with them in order to prove that the species being applied for, has/have been previously accepted. The estimated processing time for such licences depends on the nature of the application, and may range from 5 to 30 working days from the submission of the licences.

The New Species Track

Licences for the import of new species will be processed through this track in order to reduce the  processing time for commonly imported species.  Importers who may wish to import new species are also requested to provide adequate scientific information and references on each new species and send this information by email to .  This will further reduce the processing time. 

The new opening hours were issued in order for the CITES office on a trial period so as to speed up the delivery process and enable the MEPA officials to have adequate time to process import licences and CITES certification on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  CITES Customs assistance are also being targeted to take place on these days in order not to disrupt the office opening hours.

MEPA will be discussing this matter with GRTU and interested parties in the coming days with the aim of ameliorating further the service. It would also like to thank all importers and exporters for their co-operation with respect to these new CITES office opening hours.

Further information can be obtained be calling Carmen Borg at our offices or emailing on .  

The CITES (Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species) office within the Malta Environment and Planning Authority would like to inform all importers and exporters requiring its services of the new office opening hours, and licences processing procedures.

Endorsement of Customs entry forms

The CITES office will be open for the endorsement of Customs entry forms every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 12pm, safeguarding public holidays. Exceptions to this three day system will only be granted for occasional late/early entries of perishable goods, provided that this office is informed with the entry at the earliest.

Processing of Import Licences

Import licences which are up for renewal may be brought at the office during these stipulated times. Licenses are processed on a first come first served basis and the Authority has a maximum of 60 working days to process these licences. Thus it is encouraged that licenses are submitted in a way so as to allow for the necessary time.

The new two-track processing system

The CITES office would like to introduce a new two track system:

The Fast Track- for licences with a list of species which has/have been previously processed by this office; and

The New Species Track – for licences of new species which will be processed under the normal procedure. Such procedure may be lengthy at times due to the assistance required from third parties.

The Fast Track

Importers who wish to avail themselves of the fast track option are requested to bring their old licence with them in order to prove that the species being applied for, has/have been previously accepted. The estimated processing time for such licences depends on the nature of the application, and may range from 5 to 30 working days from the submission of the licences.

The New Species Track

Licences for the import of new species will be processed through this track in order to reduce the  processing time for commonly imported species.  Importers who may wish to import new species are also requested to provide adequate scientific information and references on each new species and send this information by email to .  This will further reduce the processing time. 

The new opening hours were issued in order for the CITES office on a trial period so as to speed up the delivery process and enable the MEPA officials to have adequate time to process import licences and CITES certification on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  CITES Customs assistance are also being targeted to take place on these days in order not to disrupt the office opening hours.

MEPA will be discussing this matter with GRTU and interested parties in the coming days with the aim of ameliorating further the service. It would also like to thank all importers and exporters for their co-operation with respect to these new CITES office opening hours.

Further information can be obtained be calling Carmen Borg at our offices or emailing on .