Fur Buyer License

South Carolina Fur Buyer
License 2026

Complete guide to fur buyer and dealer licensing in South Carolina - resident and nonresident fees, record-keeping requirements, CITES compliance, pelt tagging, annual reporting deadlines, and bonding rules. South Carolina requires a fur dealer license for commercial fur buyers. Bobcat and otter are the primary regulated species with CITES requirements. The state has an active coastal plain and swamp trapping industry.

License Required CITES Compliance Required Record Keeping Required

2026 Fur Buyer License Quick Facts Verified 2026

Resident Fee

$25.00

Annual license

Nonresident Fee

$100.00

Annual license

Record Retention

3yr

Records must be kept on file

CITES Required

Yes

For regulated species export

License Details

South Carolina Fur Buyer License Requirements

All commercial fur purchases in South 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	$100.00 / 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	Not required
Bonding Required	Not required

Regulated Species

Species Requiring Special Handling in South Carolina

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

bobcat otter beaver raccoon mink

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

Record Keeping

South Carolina Fur Buyer Record Requirements

Licensed fur buyers in South 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 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wildlife officers without prior notice

Important Notes

South Carolina-Specific Fur Buyer Rules

South Carolina fur dealers must maintain purchase records available for SCDNR inspection. CITES compliance required for bobcat and otter international commercial trade. The Lowcountry river swamps are particularly productive.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (www.dnr.sc.gov). Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current license fees and record-keeping rules directly with the agency before purchasing furs.

South Carolina