Q: What is an Article 10?: A: It is a licence required by law if you wish to sell, advertise, keep for sale or make commercial gain from any species that is listed on Annex "A" of EC regs. 338/97 - see species listing & main pages on various regulations. Exemptions from this licence include any specimen originally acquired prior to 1947. Page Top

Q; What is a Schedule 5 licence?: A; It is a licence required by law if you wish to sell a species listed WCA Schedule 5 - this includes U.K. protected Reptiles; Fish; Insects etc. A new General Licence has been issued to cover Red Squirrel & Pine Marten. Page Top

Q: I own an "antique" specimen/s, which I wish to sell. Can I do so without licenses?: A: It depends on the species, the age and the provenance you have. (See species list for commonly traded items) - if not listed you will need to check Page Top

Q; What licenses do I require to sell an Otter/Otter mask etc?: A; An Article 10 may be required (this will depend on the age of the specimen)- This species is also covered by The Habitats Regulation and a licence to POSSESS as well as sell will be required for specimens that were originally acquired (died) after 1994 Page Top

Q; Do I require a licence to sell a mounted Badger?: A: No. - but you must be able to satisfy any questions asked that the specimen was legally obtained Page Top

Q: What is a Guild of Taxidermists Approved Taxidermy Inspector?: A; The person is one of 13 Guild members who are geographically placed around the country and Approved by The Guild to carry out the inspection of specimens for the purposes of clarifying age; provenance etc. This service is arranged under an agreement with DEFRA and these inspectors are the only people accepted by them to carry out this work. Page Top

Q; I have inherited a collection from a relative - can I sell them?: A; Licenses maybe required, depending on the age and the species - check the main web site.

Q; I found a Tigers head in the attic - can I sell it?: A; It depends on the age. If it is Pre 1947 you may be able to, if it's not, you will not be allowed to. However there is no problem you owning it. Contact us via the this web site with photo's and details. Page Top

Q; I bought a Eagle on E-bay, they said it was old - should I get a licence with it?: A; If it is old (pre 1947) you will not get a licence with it, and you will not need one to resell it. However you must make sure that it is pre 1947. If it is not, then it is possible that your seller has broken the law and you are on a "sticky wicket"Page Top

Q; I have just found a dead Tawny Owl on the side of the road - can I have it stuffed?:A; Yes - providing the specimen was killed as a result of a road traffic accident (a fairly good chance, if its on the side of the road) - you can take it to a taxidermists and have it mounted.Page Top

Q; A shooting friend has just brought in a Sparrowhawk, it was shot by mistake - can I have it stuffed?: A; NO - it does not matter if it was shot by mistake - this is an illegal specimen. The best thing is to destroy it immediately.Page Top

Q; I wish to set up a Taxidermy Business, do I need to register with the Government? A; NO - there is no requirement to register, as yet there is no legal scheme to do so. You could however join the Guild of Taxidermists.Page Top

Q; I wish to export a specimen abroad, do I need any official paperwork? A; It will depend on the species involved and the country of Import. If the species is listed CITES, Export permits and in some cases Import permits will be required plus the country of import may require declarations (example The USA)Page Top

Q; As an Auction House, do we need licences to sell protected species? A; Auction Houses can sell protected species under their clients licence/s. There is no necessity for you to get a separate licence - just make sure your clients have their licences in place prior to advertising or selling.Page Top

Q; As an Auction House, can I accept a bid on a Van Ingen Tiger skin rug C 1930 from a U.S. buyer? A; No - under US Federal law it is illegal for a US resident or anybody under US jurisdiction to be in possession of such a specimen in the US - (US Endangered Species Act). In fact its an offence under US Federal law for a US client to even bid for it. If such a client whilst in the UK bid for it, they will not be able to take it home to the US.Page Top

Q; What is meant by the phrase "worked item"? A; Worked item refers to any item/specimen that significantly difers from its original purpose or form. In other words a bird specimen that has undergone a taxidermy process has "significantly changed from its original purpose" - it has been worked. An raw Elephant tusk however has not been worked - it is as it was, just a tusk. If on the other hand it has scrimshaw or it is carved into a chess set, then it has been worked. With CITES species, the ruling is that any work must have be done prior to 1947 to be exempt from licensing - otherwise a licence will be required. Page Top

This company or individual cannot accept any responsibility for information given that is either misinterpreted by the author or the recipient and which is based either on experience gained or a matter of law where the precedence is yet to be decided by a court of law. Any information or guidence given is purely an opinion, therefore it is recommended that accredited legal advise is sought where appropriate.

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