Silver Spring, MD—The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has updated its Primer on Importing and Exporting CITES-Listed Species ("CITES primer") to reflect the official acceptance of Commiphora wightii (synonym: Commiphora mukul; standard common name: guggul), a result of the 20th CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP20). Created as a resource to enhance understanding of the complex regulations governing the international trade of protected botanical species, CITES primer covers permit applications, species identification, and the various annotations that impact how ingredients and finished products are regulated.
“AHPA is dedicated to providing our members with the most current regulatory information to support their compliance efforts,” shared Jane Wilson, AHPA Director of Program Development.
With the update, the members-only resource lists Commiphora wightii with a specific annotation that covers extracts (such as gums, resins, essential oils, and powder) while exempting certain finished products packaged and ready for retail trade, including tablets, capsules, pills, and cosmetics.
“Maintaining the CITES primer as a living resource is essential for ensuring that the herbal community is best informed of changes in international trade requirements," Wilson added. "This update reflects our ongoing commitment to engaging with CITES and representing members internationally.”
Established as a means of protecting wild animals and plants, CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments, ensuring international trade in specimens does not threaten the survival of the species. The conclusion of the 2025 meeting, which was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, resulted in the botanical species being accepted for addition to the CITES Appendix II.
AHPA members can download the updated CITES primer through the AHPA website.
