Last updated: 2026-05-27 | Author: Liang Wei, Compliance Lead, SilkwayOud | 9 years working with Guangdong CITES authority
Quick answer: CITES is the international treaty that regulates trade in endangered species. Aquilaria (the agarwood tree) has been protected under Appendix II since 1995. A genuine oud product sold internationally must carry a CITES export permit number traceable to the source country's management authority. No paper, no provenance.
When you see "CITES certified" on a Silkway Oud product, it is not a marketing claim - it is a legal guarantee backed by an international treaty ratified by 183 countries. Here is what it means, why it exists, and why you should insist on it every time you buy agarwood.
What Is CITES?
CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It is a multilateral treaty that regulates international trade in over 38,000 species of animals and plants, ensuring that such trade does not threaten their survival. CITES was established in 1963 and has been in force since 1975.
The entire genus Aquilaria - which includes all agarwood species - was listed under CITES Appendix II in 2004. This means:
- Any international trade in Aquilaria wood, chips, oil, or products derived from it requires official CITES documentation.
- The documentation must certify that the material was legally sourced and that its trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species.
- Without this documentation, importing or exporting agarwood is illegal - regardless of the country of origin or destination.
Why Was Agarwood Listed?
Wild agarwood trees across Southeast Asia have been devastated by uncontrolled, often illegal harvesting. The extraordinary value of high-grade agarwood - sometimes exceeding the price of gold by weight - made wild trees targets for illegal loggers across Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, and India. CITES listing was introduced to give the trade a legal framework that could sustain the wild populations while allowing cultivated agarwood to continue entering global markets.
What CITES Certification Guarantees
When you receive CITES-certified agarwood from Silkway Oud, the documentation confirms:
- Legal origin - the agarwood was cultivated or harvested legally within China's regulatory framework.
- Species identification - the material is confirmed as Aquilaria sinensis (not an unknown or substituted species).
- Export authorisation - the export has been approved by China's CITES Management Authority.
- Import compliance - the receiving country's CITES authority has been notified and approves the import.
In practical terms: you can transport, gift, resell, and declare CITES-certified agarwood without legal risk in any of the 183 CITES signatory countries - which includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, the US, and virtually every major oud-consuming market.
What Happens Without CITES Certification?
Oud products without CITES documentation are a legal liability. Customs authorities in the UAE and KSA are increasingly sophisticated about detecting and confiscating uncertified agarwood - both at the point of commercial import and in personal luggage. Beyond confiscation, penalties for knowingly trading in uncertified Appendix II species can include significant fines.
From an ethical standpoint, uncertified oud is also a risk - without documentation, there is no guarantee the wood was not harvested from wild trees, contributing to the very extinction crisis that threatens the species' long-term availability.
Silkway Oud's CITES Commitment
Every Silkway Oud product - from our most affordable agarwood chips to our limited edition Celestial Oud Attar - is produced from cultivated Aquilaria sinensis on our CITES-registered Maoming plantation. Every international shipment carries the applicable CITES documentation, included in your order at no additional cost.
We do not sell uncertified material. We never have. It is not a compromise we are willing to make.
Shop with confidence - explore our full range of CITES-certified Maoming agarwood products, from chips and oils to misbaha, bracelets, and luxury gift sets.
How to read a CITES permit in 30 seconds
- Permit number (format: country code + year + serial, e.g. CN-2024-00123)
- Species line must read Aquilaria sinensis (or relevant species), not just "agarwood"
- Net weight in grams, matched against your invoice
- Issuing authority stamp from the source country
- Importer signature and date on arrival
With CITES vs without
| Signal | Genuine CITES product | Grey-market product |
|---|---|---|
| Permit number on invoice | ? Yes | ? Missing or vague |
| Species named in Latin | ? Aquilaria sinensis | ? "Oriental wood" |
| Customs declared value | Matches retail | Often $1 to hide |
| Re-export possible | ? Yes | ? Confiscation risk |
| Resale value retained | ? Yes | Near zero |
Frequently asked questions
Does every country require CITES for oud?
Every signatory does (184 countries). Even within the EU, your reseller needs the paperwork on file.
Can I travel with oud across borders?
Below 1 kg personal-use threshold, most customs let it pass, but high-value pieces ($500+) should travel with a copy of the import permit.
What happens if I buy oud without CITES?
At resale or customs check, it can be seized without compensation. Insurance won't cover it either.
Does SilkwayOud provide CITES paperwork?
Every order above 10g ships with a scanned permit reference. Bulk orders get original documents.
Related reading: Chinese vs Indian Oud | How to Spot Real Agarwood | Why Is Oud So Expensive
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