Woman’s $26k Alligator Skin Bag Destroyed by Customs after Permit Mistake

A woman escaped a fine at customs for not having a permit for her alligator skin handbag – but the $26,000 designer item was destroyed.

A Western Australian woman’s $26,000 designer handbag made of alligator skin was confiscated and destroyed by customs in Perth because she failed to buy a $70 permit to allow its importation.

The luxury item which the woman bought from a Saint Laurent boutique in France was seized by Australian Border Force officials due to trade laws in place to protect wild animals.

Alligator skin items are allowed to cross Australian borders but are strictly regulated through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which aims to protect species that may be exploited by illegal trade.

Demand for reptile skin is bolstered by the fashion industry in the US and Europe, with many animal items remaining legal.

Environmental agencies work to detect cases of illegally imported exotic wildlife items at the border, including fashion accessories. While many items are not illegal, CITES aims to catch out the illegal trades.

The importer of the handbag had arranged a CITES export permit from France, but the woman who bought the bag did not apply for an import permit from the Australian CITES Management Authority.

Permits are needed for both the exporting country and the importing country.

Even though the bag was destroyed, the woman narrowly escaped paying a fine for not having a permit.

She would have been able to keep the bag had she applied for the permit which would have cost her $70.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley said it was a costly reminder for importers to ensure they have the correct CITES permits when importing products into the country.

“We all need to be aware of what we’re purchasing online as restricting the trade of animal products is crucial to the long-term survival of endangered species,” Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Aside from the rules themselves, it is important that people take the time to think about ethical fashion choices.”