Shipping Louisiana Furs Out of State: Shipping Tags

1. When shipping any of the following Louisiana furs/pelts out of state, there must be a shipping tag attached:
     *Muskrat  *Nutria  *Opossum  *Raccoon  *Mink  *Skunk  *Beaver  *Grey Fox  *Red Fox  *Otter  *Bobcat
   Additionally, CITES tags are required for bobcat and otter.
2. Shipping tags can be obtained  by requesting them in person, by mail, or by phone. 
   Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
   200 Dulles Dr. 
   Lafayette, LA 70506
   Office: 337-735-8689
3. Shipping tags are issued specifically to the requesting trapper and are NOT transferable.  
4. The top portion of the shipping tag must be attached to the pelt or bag containing pelts.
5. The bottom portion of the shipping tag must be returned to LDWF Lafayette Office.
6. Severance taxes are no longer required; however, you must still report exact number of pelts being shipped.
7. Return the completed tag to:
   Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
   200 Dulles Dr. 
   Lafayette, LA 70506
   ​Office: 337-735-8672
8. Please be aware that the process of receiving possession and CITES tags takes approximately 2-3 weeks, depending on USPS. Do not wait until the day before shipping fur to request tags. The only way same day tags are issued is in person by appointment at the Lafayette Office.
9. Any unused/damaged CITES and shipping tags should be returned to LDWF at the end of the season.
10. Any lost CITES and shipping tags should be reported to LDWF.

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Possession Tags for Bobcat and Otter

• Possession tags are only required for bobcat and otter and should accompany the pelt and may be attached to the pelt.
• Possession tags may be picked up in person at the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Lafayette Office or mailed using USPS.
• To receive your tags by way of USPS, please call 337-735-8672.  Be sure to state how many otter possession tags are needed and how many bobcat possession tags are needed. 
• Once you receive the possession tags, completely and legibly fill out every line.
• Unreadable or missing information will not be processed by Wildlife and Fisheries.
• Next, return the possession tags to the LDWF office in person or mail them to:
  Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
  ​200 Dulles Dr. 
  Lafayette, LA 70506
• Once LDWF receives the possession tags, CITES tags may be issued. 
• Possession tags do not expire and should be requested in advance of trapping season.

CITES Tags for Bobcat and Otter

• A CITES tag will be issued for each completed and properly filled out possession tag returned to LDWF.
• CITES tags and shipping tags are required for all otter and bobcat being shipped out of state
• CITES tags are issued specifically to the requesting trapper and may not be transferred to another person.
• Once an otter or bobcat pelt is ready for shipment, a CITES tag must be properly and securely placed on the pelt. 

How to Properly Attach CITES Tags

Shipping Louisiana Furs Internationally

General FAQ’s about shipping Louisiana furs internationally can be found here: http://www.fws.gov/le/commercial-wildlife-shipment.html

First you must obtain a shipping license from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This can be done by filling out form 3-200-3 and paying the fee. This can take several weeks to process. Form 3-200-3a can be found here: https://www.fws.gov/le/pdf/3-200-3a.pdf

Shipments must be sent through a designated port. The nearest port is New Orleans. The contact information is below. You may contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife office at the ports ahead of time to ensure you have your paperwork in order. New Orleans, LA
2424 Edenborn, Room 100
Metairie, Louisiana  70001
Phone: (504) 219-8870   
Other ports with their contact information are listed at:
http://www.fws.gov/le/designated-ports.html

All shipments containing wildlife parts (Louisiana fur or other) must be declared and then cleared with the USFWS port office using form 3-177. These forms (primary form, continuation page, and instructions) can be found here: http://www.fws.gov/le/declaration-form-3-177.html

If you are shipping a CITES animal (bobcat or otter) you must also have form 3-200-26 filled out with your CITES tag information. CITES tags are issued from LDWF at our New Iberia Field Office, please call 337-373-0032. Cites tags and form 3-200-26 are both required for shipping CITES animals. Some ports may require you to pack your CITES animals separately from your other furs. Form 3-200-26 can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-26.pdf

Ensure you have the proper paperwork for the country you are exporting to.Please contact USFWS during normal business hours at the below contact information with any questions:
Wildlife Inspector
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement
2424 Edenborn Ave. Suite 100
Metairie, LA 70001
504-219-8870