Only species listed on CITES Appendices I, II, or III require CITES documentation. However, importers should verify species status before shipment, as listings change and some commercially common species (e.g., certain seahorses and freshwater stingrays) are covered. Non-CITES species may still require US Fish & Wildlife Service declaration forms.

Federal clearance does not preempt state law. Many states maintain their own prohibited-species lists and may require import permits or health certificates from the state of destination. Importers should confirm state-level admissibility before arranging shipment, particularly for food-fish or aquaculture stock destined for grow-out facilities.