To give advice – as it is known is churlish. However, to follow the advice of others is sometimes even less reasonable than to give it yourself.
For example, two weeks ago, the newspaper “Arguments and Facts”, answering questions from readers whether it possible to export a parrot from Russia, without any references or permission, shared the following information.
If you have no desire to walk to the services for processing a permit to export your beloved pet, you can do this without it, if you follow old contraband method.
For this purpose, do it this way. Next, I quote from the text.
“According to the feedback of knowledgeable people, birds are put in a bowl with vodka, and when the bird is unable to control breathing, it swallows “life-giving water”, then it is taken out of the bowl.
Here it is important – not to overdo and not to make it drown.
Soon the “drunken” parrot is falling asleep. It should be taken in conditions that ensure the access to air, for example, the half-open purse, or in the men’s handbag.
The method is fairly reliable. The main thing is not to overdo with the dosage of “dormitive”. “Underfill”, however, is also not desirable – if the parrot wakes up it will make noise and ruin the operation”.
Advice is essential in its way. Indeed, this is the usual way to smuggle the animals.
And it often works. However, “Arguments and Facts” did not mention what it may cause.
Meanwhile, we should understand that this way of exporting the animals is known not only for the readers of “Arguments and Facts”. Customs officers also know about it.
That’s why, during the x-ray inspection of baggage, they pay attention not only to those objects which resemble weapons and other typical items of contraband.
And if they see on the screen of their devices something even remotely resembling paws, claws, beaks, shells or skeletons, then, as a rule, the procedure is not limited to the x-ray inspection of luggage.
They will not be lazy to personally inspect a suspicious bag.
Of course, it is possible in the hope that customs officers will not look in a handbag, put your animal in a bag of contraband or in your pocket, as it is usually practiced with the turtles.
But there is no guarantee that you will not fall across at the curious customs officer, who would like to fossick and in your pockets.
Degree of responsibility for violation of customs regulations of export of animals is different. It depends on two things: what animal you were trying to smuggle out of the country and in what quantities.
If, for example, you set a goal to export a usual budgerigar, which does not require any permission, except for customary international veterinary certificate, the conflict with the customs can be hushed up.
Found “parrot-illegal immigrant” can be simply taken away, or if the customs officers are forgiving, they will give it back to the owner.
However, you should not hope for the best in cases of smuggled animals. Especially when it comes to animals listed in the Red List.
However, it should be noted that according to international convention, import and export of animals listed in the Red List, can be carried out solely on the basis of special permission from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flor, the abbreviation is CITES.
It is clear that the list of animals which export must be accompanied by a permission of CITES, is huge.
After all, almost all more or less rare wild animals are included to the List. However, in addition to this list, there is one more, which includes animals that are generally restricted to be exported abroad.
In particular, the parrots are included in this list. As explained to us by Russian representative to CITES, it is due to the fact that, according to international rules, trade of parrots is prohibited.
Therefore, all parrots, living in Russia – a country that can not be regarded as their historic homeland – are credited to the category of contraband priori.
CITES has no right to issue permits for the export of contraband animals from Russia.
If someone ignores these rules, it should be borne in mind that parrots, as well as other contraband animals found by Customs when you try to export them, shall be confiscated and handed to the representatives of CITES.
The fate of animals depends on the decision of CITES, but usually it ends with their transfer to that country, where they were once smuggled.
Vain pursuit is also waiting for those who would like to export a turtle from Russia.
In principle, you can apply for the export permit for turtles, but only under two conditions.
Firstly, if you confirm that your tortilla was purchased in state stores, but not from a private owner.
And secondly, if you provide proof that it was caught on the territory of Russia or, in extreme cases, in Ukraine or Uzbekistan. And not in Turkmenistan, for example, where turtles are not allowed to be exported.
It is not easier to export other animals either.
The requirement of CITES to provide official documents confirming the legal purchase of animals, minimizes the number of not only exported parrots and turtles, but all other exotic and non-exotic animals.
Since virtually all of them are bought and sold at our wet markets, where neither certificates or vouchers are issued.
The discovery of animal in the luggage without the permission of CITES, as a minimum be qualified as a violation of customs regulations, to the maximum – as contraband.
In the first case, you can put off by administrative fine and the confiscation of contraband.
In the second case you can get from three to ten years imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Of course, the second variant threatens punishment only to those who smuggled large scale.
So when you decide to take advantage of expert advice to smuggle, don’t be lazy to inquire about the consequences.
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