Fur Buyer License

Illinois Fur Buyer
License 2026

Complete guide to fur buyer and dealer licensing in Illinois - resident and nonresident fees, record-keeping requirements, CITES compliance, pelt tagging, annual reporting deadlines, and bonding rules. Illinois requires a fur dealer license for commercial fur buyers. The state has a productive mink, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, and coyote harvest. CITES compliance required for bobcat.

License Required CITES Compliance Required Record Keeping Required Annual Report Required

2026 Fur Buyer License Quick Facts Verified 2026

Resident Fee

$75.00

Annual license

Nonresident Fee

$150.00

Annual license

Record Retention

3yr

Records must be kept on file

CITES Required

Yes

For regulated species export

License Details

Illinois Fur Buyer License Requirements

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

Requirement	Details
License Required	Yes - required
License Type	Fur Dealer License
Resident Fee	$75.00 / year
Nonresident Fee	$150.00 / year
Record Keeping Required	Yes
Record Retention Period	3 years minimum
Pelt Tagging Required	Not required
CITES Compliance Required	Yes - CITES compliance required
Annual Report Required	Yes - Due: March 15
Report Due Date	March 15
Bonding Required	Not required

Regulated Species

Species Requiring Special Handling in Illinois

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

bobcat otter mink muskrat beaver raccoon

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

Record Keeping

Illinois Fur Buyer Record Requirements

Licensed fur buyers in Illinois 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 3 years

Records must be available for inspection by Illinois Department of Natural Resources wildlife officers without prior notice

Important Notes

Illinois-Specific Fur Buyer Rules

Illinois is a significant fur producing state with the Illinois River corridor being particularly productive for beaver and muskrat. Annual dealer reports due March 15. Bobcat purchase requires CITES documentation for international export.

Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources (www2.illinois.gov). Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current license fees and record-keeping rules directly with the agency before purchasing furs.

Illinois