In the case of an import permit issued for specimens of species included in Appendix I to the Convention and listed in Annex A to Regulation (EC) No 338/97, the copy for the exporting or re-exporting country may be returned to the applicant for submission to the management authority of the country of export or re-export, for the purposes of the issue of an export permit or re-export certificate. The original of that import permit shall, in accordance with Article 4(1)(b)(ii) of that Regulation, be withheld pending presentation of the corresponding export permit or re-export certificate.
Where the copy for the exporting or re-exporting country is not returned to the applicant, the latter shall be given a written statement that an import permit will be issued and on what conditions.