Fur Buyer License

California Fur Buyer
License 2026

Complete guide to fur buyer and dealer licensing in California — resident and nonresident fees, record-keeping requirements, CITES compliance, pelt tagging, annual reporting deadlines, and bonding rules. California has highly restrictive fur dealer regulations. A fur dealer license is required and the state has extensive reporting requirements. California restricts trapping of many species — commercial fur buying is significantly constrained by trapping limitations.

License Required CITES Compliance Required Record Keeping Required Annual Report Required

2026 Fur Buyer License Quick Facts Verified 2026

Resident Fee

$105.74

Annual license

Nonresident Fee

$105.74

Annual license

Record Retention

5yr

Records must be kept on file

CITES Required

Yes

For regulated species export

License Details

California Fur Buyer License Requirements

All commercial fur purchases in California are regulated. Review all requirements before purchasing furs from trappers.

Requirement	Details
License Required	Yes — required
License Type	Fur Dealer License
Resident Fee	$105.74 / year
Nonresident Fee	$105.74 / year
Record Keeping Required	Yes
Record Retention Period	5 years minimum
Pelt Tagging Required	Yes — required
CITES Compliance Required	Yes — CITES compliance required
Annual Report Required	Yes — Due: July 31
Report Due Date	July 31
Bonding Required	Not required

Regulated Species

Species Requiring Special Handling in California

The following species are subject to special fur buyer rules in California — which may include tagging, harvest reporting, or CITES permits for export.

bobcat otter fisher marten wolverine

CITES Note: Bobcat and otter pelts from California that are destined for international commercial export require CITES export permits from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. California participates in annual harvest reporting to support the national CITES export quota program.

Record Keeping

California Fur Buyer Record Requirements

Licensed fur buyers in California must maintain detailed purchase records available for inspection by wildlife officers at any time.

For each purchase: species, quantity of pelts, seller name and trapping license number

Date of transaction and purchase price or fair market value

County or general area of harvest (where required by species)

Records must be retained for 5 years

Records must be available for inspection by California Department of Fish and Wildlife wildlife officers without prior notice

Important Notes

California-Specific Fur Buyer Rules

California has banned recreational trapping on public lands under Proposition 4. Commercial fur operations are significantly limited. Sea otter is federally protected. The fisher and wolverine are state-protected. Fur dealers face some of the strictest oversight in the country. Annual reports due July 31.

Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (wildlife.ca.gov). Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current license fees and record-keeping rules directly with the agency before purchasing furs.

California