Fur Buyer License

Massachusetts Fur Buyer
License 2026

Complete guide to fur buyer and dealer licensing in Massachusetts - resident and nonresident fees, record-keeping requirements, CITES compliance, pelt tagging, annual reporting deadlines, and bonding rules. Massachusetts has strict fur dealer regulations. A fur dealer license is required with extensive record-keeping and annual reporting obligations. The state has limited commercial fur production due to strict trapping regulations.

License Required CITES Compliance Required Record Keeping Required Annual Report Required

2026 Fur Buyer License Quick Facts Verified 2026

Resident Fee

$55.00

Annual license

Nonresident Fee

$105.00

Annual license

Record Retention

5yr

Records must be kept on file

CITES Required

Yes

For regulated species export

License Details

Massachusetts Fur Buyer License Requirements

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

Requirement	Details
License Required	Yes - required
License Type	Fur Dealer License
Resident Fee	$55.00 / year
Nonresident Fee	$105.00 / year
Record Keeping Required	Yes
Record Retention Period	5 years minimum
Pelt Tagging Required	Not required
CITES Compliance Required	Yes - CITES compliance required
Annual Report Required	Yes - Due: March 31
Report Due Date	March 31
Bonding Required	Not required

Regulated Species

Species Requiring Special Handling in Massachusetts

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

otter bobcat beaver muskrat mink

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

Record Keeping

Massachusetts Fur Buyer Record Requirements

Licensed fur buyers in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife wildlife officers without prior notice

Important Notes

Massachusetts-Specific Fur Buyer Rules

Massachusetts has some of the strictest trapping regulations in the country following a 1996 ballot initiative. Commercial fur volumes are very limited. Fur dealer records must be maintained for 5 years and are subject to MassWildlife inspection. Annual reports due March 31.

Source: Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (www.mass.gov). Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current license fees and record-keeping rules directly with the agency before purchasing furs.

Massachusetts