Fur Buyer License

North Carolina Fur Buyer
License 2026

Complete guide to fur buyer and dealer licensing in North Carolina - resident and nonresident fees, record-keeping requirements, CITES compliance, pelt tagging, annual reporting deadlines, and bonding rules. North Carolina requires a fur dealer license for commercial fur buyers. Bobcat and otter are the primary regulated species. The state has a productive fur market in its Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions.

License Required CITES Compliance Required Record Keeping Required Annual Report Required

2026 Fur Buyer License Quick Facts Verified 2026

Resident Fee

$25.00

Annual license

Nonresident Fee

$75.00

Annual license

Record Retention

3yr

Records must be kept on file

CITES Required

Yes

For regulated species export

License Details

North Carolina Fur Buyer License Requirements

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

Requirement	Details
License Required	Yes - required
License Type	Fur Dealer License
Resident Fee	$25.00 / year
Nonresident Fee	$75.00 / 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: April 1
Report Due Date	April 1
Bonding Required	Not required

Regulated Species

Species Requiring Special Handling in North Carolina

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

bobcat otter beaver raccoon mink

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

Record Keeping

North Carolina Fur Buyer Record Requirements

Licensed fur buyers in North Carolina 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 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission wildlife officers without prior notice

Important Notes

North Carolina-Specific Fur Buyer Rules

North Carolina fur dealers must record all purchases. Annual reports due April 1. CITES documentation required for bobcat and otter international commercial trade. The Coastal Plain's pocosins and river swamps are productive trapping areas.

Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (www.ncwildlife.org). Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current license fees and record-keeping rules directly with the agency before purchasing furs.

North Carolina