The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade of specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the wild. CITES provides varying levels of protection to more than 35,000 species of animals and plants.
The international trade of polar bear is allowed in accordance with the 1975 CITES Appendix II listing. In Canada, non-food products from subsistence hunting (mostly hides) can be legally exported for commercial purposes.
For more information, please visit the CITES website.