• Live Animals:  Live animals and pets may not be listed on eBay.

• Stuffed Birds:  Stuffed native Australian or migratory birds and other protected species, any part of any native or migratory bird or protected species or any native or migratory bird or other protected species nest or egg may not be listed on eBay. Migratory birds include all ducks, hawks, crows, ravens, owls and geese. Native Australian Birds include (but are not limited to) Lyre Birds, Tawny Frogmouths, Emus, Cassowarys, cockatoos and parrots.

  Stuffed non-native, non-migratory birds or parts of such birds, may be listed on eBay if not in violation of the seller's specific state laws. These birds include upland game birds such as quail, turkey, pheasants and grouse.

• Taxidermy: In certain parts of Australia permits are required to possess certain animal species, even after the process of taxidermy has been applied. For example in South Australia permits are required to possess most birds, mammals and reptile species, this includes carcasses, feathers and skins. Sellers and buyers should ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities when listing or buying stuffed or mounted animals. View information concerning South Australian fauna permits and compliance/enforcement legislation. The commercial export of any native Australian animal, amphibian, reptile or bird requires an export permit from the Department of Environment and Heritage. Sellers must display this export permit in their listing if the item is being offered for sale outside of Australia.

• Animal pelts and skins:  Animal parts, including pelts and skins from endangered species (such as leopards, tigers, cheetahs, jaguars, sable antelopes, mountain zebras, and Hartmann mountain zebras) may not be sold on eBay. Animal pelts and skins from non-endangered species (for example, non-protected species of zebras, coyotes) may generally be listed on eBay, if not in violation of the seller's specific state laws. |For example a license is required to buy or sell any wool, hide or skin under the Wool, Hide and Skin Dealers Act 1935 (NSW) unless the wool, skin or hide is to be used by the buyer for some domestic purpose, or unless otherwise specifically exempted by the Wool, Hides and Skins Act. Generally, such items may be listed on eBay, subject to the above limitations.

• Other Animal Parts:  Endangered or protected species, or any part of any endangered or protected species may not be listed on eBay.

• Bear Products:  Bears and bear products (for example, bear teeth, claws, and rugs) are not permitted on eBay. For more information on Polar Bears, please see eBay’s Marine Mammal guidelines below.

• Mountain Lions: Products that contain any part from a mountain lion may not be listed on eBay.

• Marine Mammal Products:  Marine mammal products, including but not limited to polar bear, sea otter, whales (baleen and ivory), porpoise, dolphins, and seals, generally may not be listed for sale unless the animal part has been first transformed into an authentic Alaskan Native article of handicraft or clothing.

• Scrimshaw: Scrimshaw or carved whale teeth products are allowable providing that the item was manufactured prior to 1972 and accompanying documentation/certificate to that effect is posted in the listing and that the listing is restricted to buyer's residing within Australia. Listings that do not comply may be ended.

• Ivory: Ivory is prohibited to be traded in any capacity on the Australian site.

• Elephant Products: Both the African and Asian Elephants are listed on the appendices to CITES as they are considered threatened by trade. Accordingly, the import and export of elephant products, such as carved ivory figurines, carved and uncarved tusks, wallets, bags, furniture and other items made from elephant skin are not allowed on eBay.

• Crocodile, Alligator and Caiman Products: The popularity of crocodile (including alligator and caiman) products has led to some crocodile populations being threatened by trade. As a result, all crocodile species have been included on the Appendices to CITES and traders in crocodile products must comply with CITES requirements. In Australia, permits are required for the commercial export of all parts and products derived from crocodiles. Reptile products sourced from farms or other legitimate sales still require a permit from the Department of Environment and Heritage for commercial export. Any listing offering reptile products for sale outside of Australian must show that permit.

• Internal Organs of Animals: Internal organs of animals (for example, bear gall bladders) may not be listed on eBay.

• Products made from "tortoise shell" or other turtle products:  There are a number of items that have been made, both lawfully and unlawfully, from the shell of the hawksbill turtle, a sea turtle that is now an endangered species protected by international law. eBay does not permit the sale of any item made, in whole or part, from any part of a sea turtle. This includes ornaments, souvenirs, family heirlooms, jewelery and carvings. Items that appear from the listing to be made from "genuine" tortoise shell are not permitted. eBay realises that sellers commonly use the phrase "tortoise shell" to describe items that have a particular design resembling a tortoise shell and that many "tortoise shell" products are actually made out of plastic, glass or a composite material. These items are permitted on eBay. However, to avoid confusion, listings of such "faux" tortoise shell items should clearly state that the item is not made of "genuine" tortoise shell.

• Steel Jaw Animal Traps: The setting of animal traps or the possession of animal traps with the intention of setting them is prohibited in certain states of Australia under RSPCA related legislation. Whilst eBay acknowledges the collectable aspect of such traps and the possession of the same without having the intent to use them, we will not allow the listing of these items on eBay.

  For further information please visit the RSPCA or view the NSW legislation.

There are many more products made from endangered wildlife than listed here, therefore, if in doubt check the Department of Environment and Heritage's website or email wps@ea.gov.au.

Members with other questions about migratory birds, endangered species or other questionable items in this area should contact your state wildlife regulatory agency or refer to extensive information on this topic, available at http://www.unep-wcmc.org/.

Other useful wildlife conservation related sites could be found at the following links

• TRAFFIC Network

• Australian Customs Service

• Australian Quarantine Inspection Service

• Mammal Species of the World

CITES: Animals that are not threatened or endangered may still be regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Animals protected under CITES require permits to cross international borders. This includes many butterflies and some beetles included in dried insect display mounts (see CITES list of species).

eBay urges its sellers and buyers to comply with all governmental laws and regulations. Since the sale of live animals and wildlife products is in some cases prohibited, highly regulated, or may cause harm to eBay or its members, sellers are restricted in their listing of them on eBay.