An article purchased in good faith can be made from protected animal and vegetable species
Alexa Lutteri/WWF Austria
Beware of memories brought back from vacation. Objects are regularly confiscated to customs for violation of species protection.
According to the Federal Customs and Border Safety Office (OFDF), vacationers frequently happen to their protected corals – most often fragments picked up on the beach – as a memory. In travelers from Asia, the authorities also discover, on the occasion, alcohols containing protected snakes, kept in the bottles.
It is rather rare that travelers report bush meat from their holidays-that is to say meat from sometimes protected wild animals. According to the WWF Switzerland, frequently confiscated objects also include leather items made from snakes, varans or crocodiles, coral jewelry, ivory, protected wood, or shahtoosh shawls, made from the wool of the Tibet antelope.
There are also dried animals or parts of these-such as hippocamples, tiger bones or shark teeth. Finally, some travelers even try to introduce living animals, such as parrots, turtles or chameleons.
The Shahtoosh wool of the Tibet antelope is used in particular for the manufacture of shawls. To obtain this wool, animals are killed, which contributes to endangering the species. Tibet antelopes are therefore considered threatened.
Epa/Wang her
Many memories of animal or vegetable origin are subject to the Washington Convention on International Trade of Threatened Species (CITES). This agreement aims to protect animal and plant species threatened with extinction worldwide. The objects concerned by the CITES can only be imported under certain conditions, or not at all, except with a special authorization. In the event of non-compliance, they are confiscated from customs and offenders are a fine of up to several thousand francs.
Hundreds of cases per year: In 2024, the OFDF confiscated a total of 824 objects breaking the convention on the protection of species. These seizures concern both commercial goods – including online trade – and objects reported by travelers. It is therefore difficult to determine how many of these objects were really vacation memories.
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A serious impact on fauna and flora: According to WWF, the consequences of the trade in memories are considerable. According to certain estimates, several million hippocamps are killed each year for the manufacture of memories. More than a million crocodiles and Varans are also believed to be killed each year. René Kaspar, head of species protection at WWF Switzerland, underlines: “Importing products from endangered or protected species is rightly punishable. Because the high demand for these memories accelerates the extinction of rare species. “
How to avoid unpleasant surprises : The Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (OSV), responsible for applying the Species Protection Convention in Switzerland, recommends that travelers learn before any purchase of memory on any restrictions. Particular vigilance is recommended for reptile leather products or items found in nature – such as feathers, corals or shells. During the purchase, it is recommended to request export documents proving that the memory respects the international rules for the protection of species.
WWF, for its part, generally advises against the purchase of memories of animal or vegetable origin. This is the only way to be really sure not to break the law, explains René Kaspar, head of species protection at WWF Switzerland: “Our advice is clear: no shell necklaces, star decorations or shark teeth.
Text translated from German using AI/OP