Tokay Gecko Export Standards

§1

Current status

CITES listingAppendix II — adopted at CoP18 (August 2019), in force 26 November 2019

Thailand's reservationEnded 25 November 2025. The Thai population is now covered by Appendix II.

Export permitsFrom 26 November 2025, Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has deferred issuing export permits until its population study, export quota and management measures are finalised.

Domestic frameworkRegistration, per-gecko traceability and a 13 cm minimum size announced by the DNP CITES Division to producers on 15 September 2026; a briefing for purchasers and exporters will be held in Bangkok at a later date. Effective date: TO BE ANNOUNCED

§2

What is changing

The new framework is designed to stop smuggled-in geckos from being passed off as Thai origin. It rests on four requirements that apply across the whole supply chain.

Registration

Everyone involved in the business, from the people who catch and process geckos to traders and exporters, will need to be registered.

ii.

Traceability

Every gecko sold will need a traceable route, from where it was caught to the point of export.

iii.

CITES permit

Exports will need a CITES permit.

iv.

Minimum size

Geckos smaller than 13 cm will no longer be allowed.

§3

The traceable route

01CatcherRegistered local collector. The starting point of each gecko’s record.Registration ongoing

02ProcessorRegistered producer who guts, stretches and dries the gecko.Registration ongoing

03TraderRegistered buyer or collection point, recording the source of each lot.Registration ongoing

04ExporterRegistered exporter who compiles the chain-of-custody record.Registration ongoing

05CITES permitCITES export permit issued by DNP.DNP

06ImporterObtains the import authorisations required in the destination country.Destination

§4

For buyers

Expect with each shipment

CITES export permit issued by DNP

Traceability record linking the lot to registered sources

Commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin

Geckos of 13 cm and above only

Arrange on your side

CITES import authorisation in your country

Any quarantine or medicinal-material import permits

Confirmation of your licensing before contract

§5

Regulatory timeline

Aug 2019CITES CoP18 lists Gekko gecko in Appendix II

26 Nov 2019Listing takes effect; Thailand enters a reservation

25 Nov 2025Reservation ends; DNP defers export permits from the following day

15 Sep 2026DNP CITES Division briefs producers in Na Wa District on export quota setting, registration, traceability, minimum size and CITES permits

UpcomingBangkok briefing for purchasers and exporters

To be announcedExport quota and management measures announced